The history of the sport cannot be written without telling the story of heavyweight boxers. They were the first to bring hundreds and thousands of fans to the ring thanks to their powerful blows and unstoppable fights that attracted the attention of those waiting to see a great fight. Over the years many names have paraded in this category, but here are five unforgettable ones.

5.- Heavyweight Boxers: Jack Dempsey

Dempsey is known as the first great heavyweight fighter and the man who led boxing to become a world-renowned sport.

In the 1920s, Dempsey was the most sought-after fighter for fights due to his aggressiveness in the ring, which even ended up fracturing the jaw of Jess Willard, who tried to challenge him for his first world championship.

Dempsey finished his career with a record of 64-6-9 and 53 KO’s. In addition, he defended his world title seven times, a title he may have won many more times before the figures became official.

4.- Heavyweight Boxers: Rocky Marciano

When no one believed in him and his success, Marciano was in charge of demonstrating that it doesn’t only take size to be successful. The American, 1,79 centimeters, is the only undefeated heavyweight in history after winning 49 fights without defeat, and 43 of them by knockout.

His career was cut short for two years as he went to serve in the military in World War II, but when he returned, he continued to win victories and titles. He was ultimately a seven-time world champion and announced his retirement at just 32 years of age.

3.- Heavyweight Boxers: Jack Johnson

In 1908, Johnson became the first African-American boxer to be world heavyweight champion, a title he defended seven times in his long history in the sport.

His record of 77-13-13 with 48 wins by KO speaks to the quality of Johnson, who had a great right jab that not only allowed him to fight against his opponents but also against the exacerbated racism of the time. It was precisely this obstacle that prevented him from having more battles and more achievements in his account.

2.- Heavyweight Boxers: Joe Louis

Louis is a man from the golden age of boxing, that of the 1940s when heavyweights were all the rage and professional fights came along to revolutionize the sport.

Despite his large size (1,88 centimeters), Louis’ good physical condition allowed him to stay under 100 kilos and take advantage of that against his opponents, who were much heavier than him in the ring. That’s why he was the first in his category to try not to look for the KO, but to take the fight to high rounds and tire his opponents.

The so-called “Detroit Bomber” fought 70 times and won 67 of them, 52 by knockout. Of those victories, 27 were defending his World Champion crown, which he lost only once.

1.- Heavyweight Boxers: Muhammed Ali

Ali is not only the best boxer in the history of heavyweight but also in boxing in general.

Cassius Clay, as he was called at birth, came to the sport to make us understand that it is possible to win more often with the head than with strength. His dance in the ring and the impeccable defense he professed without practically covering his head, combined to drive his big and strong opponents crazy, who could not find a way to decipher his blows and movements. That, on the contrary, Ali did very well, because he was always one step ahead of his rival.

His career, which was halted for two years when his boxing license was revoked for not attending military service, ended with a record of 56-5 and 37 wins by KO. He was the first fighter to win three heavyweight titles with 22 wins in that category, successfully defended his title 19 times and was defeated by knockout on only one occasion.