Throughout history, flashy boxers tend to be some of the greatest and most remembered fighters of all time. These are the fighters who transcend the conventional limits of their sport, dazzling fans with their charisma and unique styles in the ring.
Today, Evolve Daily takes a look at 8 Of The Flashiest Boxers In History:
1) Muhammad Ali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnzofi_QltI
Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee – everyone knows the famous words that characterize both the personality and fighting style of the greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali. It’s hard to imagine any human being standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing over 200 pounds to have the impeccable speed and movement Ali had. From his trademark Ali shuffle, to his lighting quick hands and feet, Ali will forever be the standard for flashy fighters around the world regardless of the martial art.
2) Sugar Ray Leonard
If Muhammad Ali is at the top of the list, then the man fans compare him to the most definitely deserves the #2 spot. An Olympic gold medalist and a five-division world champion, Sugar Ray Leonard was everything a boxing fan could ever ask for. He had incredible power in both hands, uncanny speed, finesse and heart. It’s safe to say that there will never be another fighter like Leonard, who reigned at the very top of boxing for more than a decade.
3) Roy Jones Jr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeQkOrmnOig
Watching any of Roy Jones Jr.’s performances never fails to amaze fight fans. Jones is the only boxer in history to have won the heavyweight title after making his debut several weight classes lower at light middleweight – and he carried his unique style in every single division. Named Fighter of the Decade for the 1990s, Jones was a flashy, offensive genius. His famous behind-the-back-punch knockout over Australian boxer Glen Kelly to capture The Ring light heavyweight title is a testament to that fact.
4) Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker
No one in the history of boxing has looked as slippery and flashy in their defense as Pernell Whitaker. Known affectionately in the boxing world as “Sweet Pea”, Whitaker was elusive, quick-handed and incredibly skilled. And nothing spells flash in boxing more than an outstanding counterpuncher who can dance his way out of virtually any punch thrown at him.
5) Willie Pep
With an unbelievable record of 229 wins and only 11 losses, Willie Pep is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the greatest and most creative fighters in history. The ring intellect and defensive ability he possessed during his prime are unmatched even to this day. Pep moved like no other boxer before him ever did, slipping, blocking and avoiding punches like clockwork. He even managed to win an entire round purely with his defense, without even throwing a single punch!
6) Jersey Joe Walcott
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opAJBr9G9MY
While flashy fighters are common in combat sports today, back in the 30s and 40s, they were almost impossible to find. Enter Jersey Joe Walcott, the man many consider to be one of the first fighters to bring a unique blend of flash, style and poise into the boxing ring. And before there was the Ali shuffle, there was the Walcott shuffle, a feet-crossing technique Walcott used to bait his opponents into his precise power punches.
7) Prince Naseem Hamed
Considered to be one of the greatest pound for pound British boxers of all time, Prince Naseem Hamed was a spectacle to watch in the ring. The prince rose to fame quicker than any other European fighter in history due to his unorthodox style and boxing antics in the ring. And if that wasn’t enough, his crazy, over-the-top theatrical ring entrances, including his signature front somersault over the top rope into the ring should be sufficient to earn him the status as one of the flashiest fighters in history.
8) Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho
Being able to mix ferocity with flash is certainly not easy, but Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho did it to perfection. The late, great Puerto Rican legend was a knockout artist known for his flamboyant style and quickness in the ring. And he always made sure to make his way to the ring in the loudest and most flashy way possible, wearing colorful robes, costumes and boxing shorts.
Watching any one of these great legends perform will never cease to amaze us. They remind us that martial arts truly has no limits!
