Artificial intelligence is a cutting-edge tool that allows machines (computers) to replicate human functions across multiple fields of knowledge, and was used in research in the world of boxing a few months ago. The ultimate goal was to create a ranking of the 10 most prominent stars (the so-called top 10 in boxing parlance) in the history of this popular sport, commonly known as the game of flattening and breaking noses.
By pure chance, we stumbled upon the research results during a quiet moment while browsing absentmindedly on our computers on a slow morning. That reading sparked the text you are reading now.
The first thing that caught our attention, and obviously the most important thing, was the name of the fighter that occupies an honorable place at the top of this short list (for lack of a better label, AI Top 10). It was none other than Muhammad Ali, a choice that went against the long-standing traditional choice of most chroniclers, trainers, the fighters themselves, and fans who have tried and still tend to give that honor to Ray “Sugar” Robinson. The legendary welterweight and middleweight champion of the 1950s is, to millions of fans and a significant number of experts, the most complete and complete fighter in the long and storied history of boxing.
Several of the 10 boxers identified by AI as the best boxers of all time are familiar names that regularly appear in CS media analysis, polls, and commentary, although not always in the same order. Nevertheless, without intending to stir up controversy (on the contrary, we share almost everything that AI has said), and simply as a personal opinion on the matter, I would like to allow AI to add five more names to its list. We do so without placing the quintet on any particular tier simply because we believe these five are well deserving of such recognition due to their stellar work inside the ring. They are:
1. Bob Fitzsimmons (Ruby Bob) was born in England but spent much of her career in New Zealand (where she grew up), England, and the United States. He is recorded as the first fighter to hold titles in three different weight classes, winning the middleweight, heavyweight, and light heavyweight titles in 1891, 1896, and 1897. Active from 1885 to 1914, he finished his career with 61 wins, 57 knockouts, 12 losses (7 knockouts), and 4 draws, including 1 loss by disqualification.
2. archie mooreis known as old mongooseAnd for many, the greatest light heavyweight of all time stepped into the ring. From 1935 to 1963, with a brief retirement in between, he fought 186 fights with 112 knockouts (the second-highest total in history), 23 losses (8 knockouts), and 10 draws.
3. Marvin “Marvelous” Haglerone of the greatest middleweight champions this division has ever seen. Hagler, who was born in Rocky Marciano’s hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts, had 62 wins in his career from 1973 to 1987, including 52 by knockout, only three losses (no knockouts), and two draws.
4. julio cesar chavezis known as El Emperadorunanimously considered the greatest Mexican fighter in history. He competed from 1980 to 2005, with a record of 107 wins, 85 wins by knockout, and 6 losses (including 4 losses) and 2 draws.
5. Carlos “Espeta” Monzon. Arguably the greatest boxer Argentina has ever produced, and one of the most successful middleweights of any era. He recorded 87 wins (50 at limit) but never lost, with only 3 losses and 9 draws.
AI Top 10
Aside from digressions, below is a list of the top 10 fighters surveyed and their record (total number of fights, number of wins, number of wins by KO, number of losses by decision, number of losses by KO, number of draws, number of years active). These statistics are the result of our own in-depth research into 10 boxing history greats, as seen through the lens of modern artificial intelligence.
1. muhammad ali (the best), heavyweight world champion from 1964 to 1974 to 1978. Record: 61–56–39–5(1)–0–1960–81. Listed in order of match/win/KO/decision win/loss/KO loss/draw/years of activity.
2. Ray “Sugar” RobinsonWorld Welterweight and Middleweight Champion: 202–175–108–67–19–1–6–1940–1965.
3. mike tyson (iron man), World Heavyweight Champion: 59–50–44–6–5 (1NC) –0–1985–2024.
4. floyd mayweatherSuper Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight World Champion: 50–50–27–0–0–1996–2017.
5. joe lewis (brown bomber), World Heavyweight Champion: 69–66–52–14–3–2–1934–51.
6. Manny Pacquiao (pacman), the only world champion in eight weight divisions (flyweight, super bantamweight or junior featherweight, featherweight, super featherweight or junior lightweight, lightweight, super lightweight or junior welterweight, welterweight, and super welterweight or junior middleweight): 72–62–39–23–8–3–5–2–1995–2025.
7. george foreman (big george), World Heavyweight Champion: 81–76–68–8–5–1–4–6–1969–77.
8. Roberto Duran (stone hand), World Champion from Lightweight to Middleweight: 119–103–70–16 (4)–0–1968–2001.
9. rocky marciano (Rocco Marchesiano), World Heavyweight Champion: 49–43(0)–0–1947–55.
10. Evander Holyfield (the real deal), World Heavyweight Champion: 57–44–29–15–10 (2)–2–1984–2011.
Of the reduced group of 15 fighters mentioned in this article, the following people have already passed away: Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Clay in 2016), Ray “Sugar” Robinson (born Walker Smith in 1989) Jr.), Joe Louis (1981), George Foreman (2025), Rocky Marciano (1969), Fitzsimmons (1917), Hagler (2021), Moore (1998), Monson (1995).
