Top 10 Greatest British Boxers

Boxing is the UK’s most celebrated combat sport and even evolved in the country during the 16th century. 

From bare-knuckle prizefighting to the modern $1.6 billion industry, talented warriors have always been present to showcase what the sport really has to offer. 

No doubt then that country has produced many exceptionally talented boxers who have risen to gain legendary status in the sport. 

Be it skill, talent, or an insurmountable fighting spirit, these boxers have showcased it all and won the hearts and minds of the general public not just in Britain but also around the world. Let’s look at their stories and why they became so popular. 

10. Anthony Joshua

[source: thesun.co.uk]

A long guard coupled with an orthodox stance can take you far, just ask Anthony Joshua. Born on October 15, 1989, in Watford, Joshua started his boxing training at 18 and in 2012, also represented Britain in the Olympic Games. 

His precise striking and knockout power would get a professional stage in 2013. He would go on to become the two-time unified world heavyweight champion with a professional record of 25 wins out of 28 matches, with 22 coming from knockouts so far. His fighting career is still underway, with a fight scheduled in December 2023. 

Throughout his professional career, Joshua has defeated many big names like Wladimir Klitschko, Andy Ruiz, and Charles Martin. He has also retained his charming attitude, which makes him a fan favorite. 

His net worth of $80 million also helps solidify his standing as a boxing legend in the making.  

9. John Conteh

[source: britishvintageboxing.com]

The 70s were a high time for boxing, and John Conteh was a star not just in the UK but worldwide. The light-heavyweight was known to have a crisp jab and a powerful overhand right. Conteh was born on March 27, 1951, in Liverpool, and his amateur career was only a glimpse into his excellence. 

Conteh won 34 out of 39 fights, with 24 of them coming from knockouts. His lightning-fast reflexes would also aid him in his career as he would dodge attacks swiftly. He would go on to win several titles like the WBC light-heavyweight title and the United WBC and WBA light-heavyweight title. 

His last fight was another world title fight on May 31, 1980, held in Atlantic City, and it was to be his last fight. He retired from professional boxing after a career spanning 8 years, and currently, he has a net worth of $5 million, living a quiet life. 

8. Tyson Fury

[source: edition.cnn.com]

Tyson Fury is a name everybody has at least heard of once. Be it his brash and humorous personality or his exceptional knockout power, Fury is known for his many characteristics.  Born on August 12, 1988, in Manchester, and started fighting at the age of 15. 

He took his skillset into professional boxing in 2008, and the rest is history. His incredible agility, despite being a heavyweight, along with precise and powerful striking capabilities, would lead him into winning 33 out of 34 fights, out of which 24 were earned through knockout. He also currently holds the WBC Heavyweight title and has won various titles from IBF, WBO, and IBO. 

Fury has also defeated big names like Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder, and Otto Wallin. With that, it is no surprise that the boxer named after Mike Tyson has amassed over $150 million in net worth. 

7. Ricky Hatton

[source: independent.co.uk]

If raw power is what you’re looking for, Ricky Hatton has it in spades. Born on October 6, 1978, in Stockport, Hatton is known for his tremendous punching power and aggressive style. His professional career would see him take on big names like Kostya Tszyu, Luis Collazo, and Paulie Malignaggi, just to name a few. 

The 2000s were the highlight of his career, where his all-in pedal-to-the-metal approach to fighting would net him incredible wins. With a professional record of 45 wins out of 48 fights, where 32 occurred by knockouts, we are definitely not complaining. 

Flying between welterweight and light-welterweight, Hatton’s career would see him even take on names like Mayweather and Pacquiao. 

In 2011, Hatton set into his well-deserved retirement with a net worth of $50 million to his name. He has been working as a promoter and coach after his stellar career and still remains of the best boxers in the world. 

6. Barry McGuigan

[source: belfastlive.co.uk]

A legendary Irish boxer and promoter, Barry McGuigan, takes the number 6 spot. Born on February 28, 1961, in County Monaghan, McGuigan also began his boxing career quite young and showed immense potential throughout his amateur career. 

He made his professional debut in 1981 at the age of 20, and there was no looking back. He won 32 out of 35 fights, where 28 were won by knockout. 

As one of the greatest featherweights, he also held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles for a long time. His exceptional abilities were on full focus when he took on big names like Eusebio Pedroza and Bernard Taylor. 

McGuigan may have retired from fighting in 1989, but he is still an active part of the boxing world as the CEO of Cyclone Promotions, and he is currently the president of the Professional Boxing Association with a net worth of $2.5 million. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005. 

5. Sir Henry Cooper

[source: londonremembers.com]

Sir Henry Cooper is a true pioneer of Boxing and one of the reasons why it is as popular as it is today. He was born on May 3, 1934, in London and started his boxing journey very early in life. During his reign, he fought legends like Muhammad Ali and Floyd Patterson, who were legends in their own right. 

Known for his resilience and power, he remained undefeated in the UK and the Commonwealth for 12 years. During his career, he won 40 out of 55 bouts, 27 of which he won via knockout. He was also a long-time European Heavyweight Champion and a British Heavyweight Champion, which only adds to his legacy as a great fighter. 

Cooper retired from the sport in 1971 and was awarded a knighthood by The Queen in 2000, becoming the first and only boxer to have the title. Sadly, he passed away on May 1, 2011, with a net worth of $5 million, but his legacy lives on.  

4. Ken Buchanan

[source: ringtv.com]

The recently deceased Ken Buchanan was a Scotsman with a fine eye for boxing, as we all know. He was known for his impeccable technique and brilliant defence, earning him the number four spot on our list. 

Buchanan was exceptionally gifted, and it was very evident even in his amateur career, where he won various Scottish and British titles. After going pro, the former lightweight champion had a shocking 23-fight win streak with a record of 61 wins out of his 69 fights. He also had three world lightweight titles to his name before he retired in 1978. 

Widely regarded as one of the finest in the sport, Buchanan had an incredibly diverse career with over $5 million in net worth and was even inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000. Sadly he passed away in 2023, suffering from Dementia. 

3. Lennox Lewis

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Although a dual citizen of both the UK and Canada, Lennox Lewis comes in third on this list. Lewis was known for his sheer knockout power as a heavyweight and his sheer technical abilities when fighting. 

He started boxing in Canada and went on to represent it in the 1988 Olympics, where he won the gold medal. However, his return to the UK marked the start of his professional career, where he took on opponents like Frank Bruno, Vitali Klitschko, and Evander Holyfield. His professional record sits at 41 wins out of 44 fights, with 32 of those wins coming from knockout. 

The three-time World Heavyweight Champion would retire from the sport in 2004 with a net worth of $150 million. He has kept close to the sport, commentating in various tournaments, which was appreciated by his fans. 

2. Jimmy Wilde

[source: boxingnewsonline.net]

Jimmy Wilde was a legendary Welsh boxer with over a hundred fights to his name. He was born on May 15, 1892, in Tylorstown, Wales, and is known to be one of the most formidable flyweights of his time. Don’t let his short stature fool you, though, he had exceptional punching power and speed. 

With his signature aggressive fighting style with lightning-fast strikes, Wilde would start his professional journey in 1910, and his accomplishments would spread. He fought 150 matches and won 137 of them, out of which 99 were by knockout. The “Mighty Atom” took on names like Tancy Lee, Pal Moore, and Joe Lynch. 

Wilde would continue his career till 1923 and retire in 1924. From finishing opponents like Tancy Lee within seconds to getting the IBU world title and EBU European title, Wilde displayed incredible feats of ring knowledge and power. He passed away in 1969 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. 

1. Joe Calzaghe

[source: talksport.com]

Could a Southpaw take the number one spot? Icy Mike was clearly wrong on this one! Known as the greatest super middleweight boxer of all time, Joe Calzaghe takes the number one spot. Born on March 23, 1972, in London, he trained under his Italian father from a young age and started winning ABA titles in England and Wales. 

His southpaw stance, coupled with his speed and agility, made him perfectly suited for the sport. He decided to go the professional route in 1993, and his reign would last 15 years as one of the greatest. He never lost a fight, with 46 wins to his name, out of which 32 were knockouts. 

Throughout this time, he would take on fellow greats like Chris Eubank, Jeff Lacy, and Mikkel Kessler, who were all world champions at the time. His net worth is estimated to be $10 million after he retired in 2009. After a long absence, he is palling on setting up International Sports Group with Darren Barker. 

The world of boxing is an ever-evolving sport. Many great fighters have come, and no doubt will continue to come, but these legends have left an unforgettable legacy behind them. 

They have inspired many with their unique abilities and incredible sportsmanship, which also helped the boxing industry rise higher than ever. 

Although we missed many great British boxers in this list, who was your favorite among the names mentioned? It’s the fans that make the sport what it is, after all. 

One thing is certain, though, these boxers will be remembered fondly for generations to come, be it for their power, skill, athleticism, or charm.