Famous Professional Boxers

Parvati Shallow, born September 21, 1982, is an American TV personality. She won $1 million on Survivor: Micronesia — Fans vs. Favorites. Shallow competed on Survivor: Cook Islands, placing sixth. She later became the runner-up on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains. From July 7, 2011, to October 14, 2011, Shallow starred in CBS's Around the World For Free. From 2013 to 2014, she hosted Survivor Live on CBS.com, a weekly show.

Mickey Rourke, born Philip Andre Rourke Jr. on September 16, 1952, is a major figure in cinema and boxing. He moved to Miami, Florida with his family from Schenectady, New York, when he was young. Rourke faced many ups and downs in his life. This reflects a person who chases dreams, no matter how hard they seem. Rourke has many talents. His career covers acting, screenwriting, and professional boxing. Taking self-defense training at the Boys Club in Miami sparked Rourke's interest in acting.

Bob Hope, born Leslie Townes Hope on May 29, 1903, in Eltham, England, became famous for comedy, acting, and charity work. His family moved to the United States in 1908, settling in Cleveland, Ohio. Hope developed his love for performing there. He started his career in entertainment in the early 1920s, beginning on the vaudeville stage. He moved to radio, television, and film. Hope hosted the Academy Awards 19 times, a record that remains.

Mike Tyson, born June 30, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, became a major boxing figure from a tough background. Tyson used a fierce, intimidating style to dominate boxing in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Tyson became the youngest heavyweight title winner at only 20 years old. Tyson's path to success involved hardship and crime early on. Serving time in a reform school introduced him to boxing, and he trained under the mentorship of legendary trainer.

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky, was a famous boxing legend and social activist. Ali began his journey at age 12. After his bicycle was stolen, he vowed to 'whup' the thief. This led a local police officer to introduce him to boxing. Ali rose quickly in amateur boxing, winning a gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Ali's professional career matched his amateur success. He won the world heavyweight championship three times, starting with the first time.

Laila Amaria Ali, born December 30, 1977, is an American former professional boxer. She competed from 1999 to 2007. She is the daughter of Muhammad Ali, a late legendary heavyweight champion, and the eighth of her father's nine children. She retired undefeated. She held the WBC, WIBA, IWBF, and IBA female super middleweight titles, plus the IWBF light heavyweight title.

Dean Martin, Dino Paul Crocetti, began life June 7, 1917, Steubenville, Ohio. Martin became a household name with his multi-talented persona. His career covered five decades, leaving a mark on entertainment. He acted, sang, joked, and produced films, making him a popular, lasting American entertainer of the mid-20th century. Martin started as a nightclub singer in the 1940s. There, he formed a comedic duo with Jerry Lewis. The duo gained huge fame on radio and television from their shows and appearances.

Oscar De La Hoya, born February 4, 1973, East Los Angeles, California, showed speed, power, and technique. His family influenced his boxing path; his grandfather and father were boxers. This gave him a clear route into the sport. Passion for boxing started early. De La Hoya's talent showed as he rose fast in amateur boxing. He won a gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. That win gave him the lasting nickname "The Golden Boy". His professional career was equal.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., born February 24, 1977, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, shows power and skill in professional boxing. He grew up in a family of boxers. His father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., was a former welterweight contender. His uncles, Roger and Jeff Mayweather, were also professional boxers. Floyd Jr. followed this path, surpassing their achievements. Mayweather's career features an unbroken winning streak, showing his unmatched agility.

Mia Rosales St. John, born June 24, 1967, is an American Mexican professional boxer. She won the World Boxing Council (WBC) title in the super welterweight division. She also held the IBA and IFBA lightweight championships. Mia St. John is also a model, a businesswoman, and a taekwondo champion.

Evander Holyfield, born October 19, 1962, is an American former professional boxer who fought from 1984 to 2011. He held the undisputed cruiserweight championship in the late 1980s and the heavyweight title in the early 1990s. Holyfield remains the only boxer who won the undisputed championship in two weight classes. Nicknamed "The Real Deal," Holyfield became a four-time world heavyweight champion. He held the unified WBA, WBC, and IBF titles from 1990 to 1992, the WBA and IBF titles again from 1993 to 1994 and between 1996 and 1999, and the WBA title a fourth time from 2000 to.

Antonio Rodolfo Quinn Oaxaca, better known as Anthony Quinn, was born April 21, 1915, in Chihuahua, Mexico. Quinn grew up to become an iconic Hollywood figure. Hardship shaped his early life, a theme that appeared in his later film roles. He moved to Los Angeles with his family as a child, taking odd jobs early on. Quinn found his passion for acting in high school and pursued it with Stella Adler, the world-renowned theater teacher. Quinn's career lasted over six decades.

George Foreman, born January 10, 1949, in Marshall, Texas, built a career across many fields. Foreman was an Olympic gold medalist and a two-time world heavyweight boxing champion. He became an ordained minister and a successful entrepreneur. Foreman's life shows determination, adaptability, and resilience. Hardship and adversity in his beginnings set the stage for his famous career in sports, business, and charity. Competition and victory defined Foreman's early years.

William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), nicknamed "Kid Blackie" and "The Manassa Mauler," was an American professional boxer. Dempsey fought from 1914 to 1927. He held the world heavyweight championship from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey was a 1920s cultural icon. His aggressive fighting style and powerful punches made him a popular boxer. Many of his fights broke financial and attendance records, including the first million-dollar gate. The Ring magazine ranks Dempsey tenth among all-time heavyweights and seventh in its Top 100 G.

Tonya Maxene Price née Harding, born November 12, 1970, is an American former figure skater, retired boxer, and reality television personality. Harding is from Portland, Oregon. Her mother raised Harding, enrolling her in ice skating lessons at age four. Harding trained much of her early life, leaving high school to focus on the sport. Harding won the 1989 Skate America competition after climbing the ranks in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships between 1986 and 1989. She was the 1991 and 1994 U.S. champion before being stri

Volodymyr Jack Palahniuk became Jack Palance in 1919. He was a distinctive figure in film and television. A Ukrainian immigrant family in Pennsylvania raised Palance. Palance moved from coal miner to an Academy Award-winning actor. His acting career lasted over sixty years. Palance offered tough-guy roles and dramatic portrayals, showing his range. Palance broke into Hollywood with *Panic in the Streets* (1950). He gained fame for his role in *Shane* (1953).

Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 – April 12, 1981), known as Joe Louis, was an American professional boxer. He fought from 1934 to 1951. Louis held the world heavyweight title from 1937 to 1949. He is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers. Nicknamed the "Brown Bomber," Louis held his title for 140 months. During this time, he fought 26 championship bouts. The 27th fight, against Ezzard Charles in 1950, was for Charles' heavyweight title and is not part of Louis' reign. Louis won 25 straight fights.

Manny Pacquiao was born on December 17, 1978, in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines. Pacquiao's life shows great determination and hard work from his humble start. As a young boy, he left home for Manila to support his family. There, he found his passion for boxing and his great talent. Pacquiao began his professional boxing career in 1995 at age 16. His career includes many major accomplishments.

Giacobbe "Jake" LaMotta (July 10, 1922 – September 19, 2017) was an American professional boxer, world middleweight champion, and stand-up comedian. LaMotta was nicknamed "The Bronx Bull" or "Raging Bull." He was a rough fighter who used vicious beatings in the ring. LaMotta used constant stalking, brawling, and inside fighting, earning a reputation as a 'bully,' a swarmer, and a slugger. His hard fighting style often earned him much in an era of rough fighting.

Alan King acted in many Hollywood films. King started acting in various movies. He appeared in *Hit the Deck* (1955) with Jane Powell. King starred in the Jane Wyman drama *Miracle in the Rain* (1956). He also acted in the comedy *The Girl He Left Behind* (1956). King appeared in the biopic *The Helen Morgan Story* (1957) with Ann Blyth. He played Alfred Lynch in the comedy adaptation *On the Fiddle* (1961). He was in *Bye Bye Braverman* (1968). King continued acting in the eighties, appearing in the Drew Barrymore suspenseful adaptation.

Sugar Ray Robinson, Walker Smith Jr. (born May 3, 1921; died April 12, 1989), fought as a professional boxer from 1940 to 1965. Sportswriters created "pound for pound" rankings for Robinson's welterweight and middleweight matches, comparing fighters without regard to weight. The International Boxing Hall of Fame inducted him in 1990. Many consider Robinson the greatest boxer ever; The Ring magazine ranked him number one on its "80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years" list in 2002. Robinson went amateur with an 85–0 record.

Charles Carmine Zito Jr. (born March 1, 1953) is an American actor, amateur boxer, martial artist, celebrity bodyguard, stuntman, former boxing trainer, and former president of the New York chapter of the Hells Angels.

Ray Charles Leonard (born May 17, 1956), known as "Sugar" Ray Leonard, is an American former professional boxer, motivational speaker, and occasional actor. Leonard competed from 1977 to 1997. He won world titles in five weight divisions, the lineal championship in three divisions, and the undisputed welterweight title. Leonard was in "The Fabulous Four," a group of boxers who fought each other in the 1980s: Leonard, Roberto Durán, Thomas Hearns, and Marvin Hagler. "The Fabulous Four" created

Larry Fine served as the middleman for The Three Stooges comedy trio. Fine took endless slaps, eye pokes, and head mallets for the show's laughs. Larry first gained fame in the vaudeville act with Ted Healy and his Stooges. The trio became the Three Stooges solo act after Jerome Howard, who replaced Shemp, became "Curly." This transition brought massive national success. Columbia Pictures hired The Three Stooges for nearly 200 shorts.

Vladimir Vladimirovitsch Klitschko (born March 25, 1976) is a Ukrainian former professional boxer who fought from 1996 to 2017. Klitschko held the world heavyweight championship twice. He won titles from the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and Ring magazine, plus the lineal titles. Klitschko is a strategic and intelligent boxer. He is considered one of the best heavyweight champions. Klitschko used a strong jab, straight right hand, and left hook, along with excellent footwork and mobility, which was unusual for his size. As an amateur, Klitschko represented Ukraine at the

Joseph Walter Jackson (July 26, 1928 – June 27, 2018) was an American talent manager and the patriarch of the Jackson entertainers family, including his children Michael and Janet. The Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame inducted him in 2014.

James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (May 25, 1897 – November 7, 1978) fought as an American professional boxer from 1915 to 1928. Tunney held the world heavyweight title from 1926 to 1928. He also won the American light heavyweight title twice between 1922 and 1923. Tunney fought Harry Greb five times; he won three, drew one, and lost one. Tunney knocked out Georges Carpentier and beat Jack Dempsey twice; he did this in 1926 and 1927. Tunney's title defense against Dempsey remains a famous boxing match.

Vitaly Vladimirovich Klitschko, born July 19, 1971, is a Ukrainian politician and former professional boxer. Klitschko now serves as Mayor of Kiev and head of the Kiev City State Administration, roles he has held since June 2014. Klitschko was a former leader of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc and a Member of the Ukrainian Parliament. Klitschko became active in Ukrainian politics in 2005, joining his boxing career until he retired in 2013. As a boxer, Klitschko is a three-time world heavyweight champion and the second-longest-reigning WBC heavyweight champion.

Joseph William Frazier, nicknamed "Smokin' Joe," was an American professional boxer. He competed from 1965 to 1981. Frazier held the undisputed heavyweight champion title from 1970 to 1973. As an amateur, he won a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Frazier used strength, durability, powerful punches, and constant pressure in his fighting style. Frazier became the top contender in the late 1960s. He defeated Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, George Chuvalo, and Jimmy Ellis en ro.

Michael Clark, born July 10, 1973 in Columbus, Ohio, is a professional boxer. Clark won the IBC lightweight title twice. Known by his stage name "Cold Blood," he also held the NABF and WBC Continental Americas lightweight titles. He won the Ohio State title at 135 lbs, 140 lbs, and 147 lbs, and challenged for the WBO lightweight title. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, Clark started boxing at age 7 and became skilled in the amateur ring. His coach, Matthew Voltolini, adopted him as a son at age 12. At 19, Clark won the 19

Holly Rene Holm, born October 17, 1981, is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Holm was the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion and a professional boxer and kickboxer. Holm won boxing world titles multiple times, defending them 18 times across three weight classes. Ring magazine named her fighter of the year twice (2005, 2006). BoxRec ranks Holm as the tenth-best female professional boxer of all time. As of July 8, 2019, she is ranked #3 in the official UFC bantamweight rankings. Holm's most notable win in mixed martial arts (MMA)

Rick "Rocky" Lockridge (January 10, 1959 – February 7, 2019) fought as an American professional boxer. He got Roger Mayweather his first knockout—a first-round knockout in just 98 seconds—earning the WBA and lineal super featherweight titles. Rocky later won the IBF super featherweight title. He appeared on the A&E series Intervention in 2010.

Iran Barkley, born May 6, 1960, was an American former professional boxer. He competed from 1982 to 1999. Barkley held world championships in three weight classes. These included the WBC middleweight title from 1988 to 1989, the IBF super middleweight title from 1992 to 1993, and the WBA light heavyweight title in 1992. As an amateur, Barkley won a bronze medal in the middleweight division at the 1982 World Championships.

Jack Warden was born September 18, 1920, in Newark, New Jersey. Warden possessed a gruff voice and a tough approach to his roles. He made a big mark in Hollywood over five decades. Before acting, Warden had an unusual past. This included boxing as a welterweight and serving in the US Navy during World War II. Warden moved from the military to the stage after joining an acting company for rehabilitation. Warden's acting career began on Broadway.

Stuart Whitman was dark-haired and rugged with sensitive eyes. Whitman did not become a superstar. However, in the late 1950s and 1960s, Whitman acted as an action hero in movies and TV. He thrived in "The Mark" (1961), earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He also appeared in "Cimarron Strip" (CBS, 1967-1971), one of the final successful TV Westerns. Whitman reportedly was worth over $100 million from investments. Whitman kept acting, maybe because he loved his craft, though project quality changed.

Juli Crockett is an American playwright and theater director. She is also a retired professional boxer and amateur champion, lead singer of The Evangenitals, an ordained minister, and producer of The 1 Second Film. Crockett was born in Coffee County, Enterprise, Alabama. She is the daughter of writers Linda Crockett and Daniel Savage Gray.

Fred Ward played blue-collar types and working-class heroes using his varied work. Ward performed in mime and masque theater, and he appeared in cabarets across Europe and North Africa. He moved to Rome, where he translated spaghetti Westerns and acted in two TV-movies by Roberto Rossellini: "The Power of Cosimo" (1974) and "Cartesia" (1975). After struggling in LA, Ward began his feature film career as a jailbreak buddy for the tougher Clint Eastwood.

Maximilian Adelbert Baer (February 11, 1909 – November 21, 1959) fought as the World Heavyweight Champion from June 14, 1934, to June 13, 1935. He won against Max Schmeling in 1933 and lost to James J. Braddock in 1935. The Ring Magazine rated both fights as Fight of the Year. Baer also served as a boxing referee and appeared in film or television occasionally. He is the brother of heavyweight contender Buddy Baer and father of actor Max Baer Jr. Ring Magazine ranks Baer #22 among 100 greatest punchers.

Rocco Francis Marchegiano (September 1, 1923 – August 31, 1969), known as Rocky Marciano, was an American professional boxer. He fought from 1947 to 1955 and held the world heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956. Marciano is the only heavyweight champion who retired undefeated as champion. He defended his title six times against Jersey Joe Walcott, Roland La Starza, Ezzard Charles (twice), Don Cockell, and Archie Moore. Boxing historians include Marciano on lists of great fighters because of his relentless fighting style, powerful punches, stamina, and tough chin.

Lennox Claudius Lewis, born September 2, 1965, is a retired professional boxer. He competed from 1989 to 2003. Lewis was a three-time world heavyweight champion and a two-time lineal champion; he is the last heavyweight to hold the undisputed title. Lewis held dual British and Canadian citizenship. As an amateur, Lewis represented Canada at the 1988 Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division after beating Riddick Bowe in the final. In his first three years as a pro, Lewis won several regional heavyweight titles, including the European, British, and Canadian ones.

Dale Robertson is an American actor. He appeared in the films "Golden Girl," "Murder, She Wrote," and "Sitting Bull."

Franklin Roy Bruno, born November 16, 1961, was a British former professional boxer. He competed from 1982 to 1996, having a very public and eventful career inside and outside the ring. Bruno won the WBC heavyweight title from Oliver McCall at a packed Wembley Stadium in 1995, his fourth world championship challenge. Bruno faced many top heavyweights. He fought Mike Tyson twice, in 1989 and 1996, and fought Lennox Lewis domestically in 1993. Bruno was also known for his great punching power.

Edgar Kennedy's trademark was the "slow burn," showing complete frustration through furrowed brows and a hand across his face. He perfected this over forty years. His career started in silent pictures. Later, he included classics like "Duck Soup" (1933), "Twentieth Century" (1934), "A Star is Born" (1937), and "Unfaithfully Yours" (1948). Burly and balding, Kennedy played middle-class authority figures. These figures struggled to keep their grip on the status quo, in their homes or public.

David Deron Haye, born October 13, 1980, is a British former professional boxer. He fought from 2002 to 2018. Haye held multiple world championships in two weight classes. He was the first British boxer to reach the World Amateur Boxing Championships final. Haye won a silver medal in 2001. As a professional, Haye became a unified cruiserweight world champion in 2008. He won three of the four major world titles, plus the Ring magazine and lineal titles. That same year, he moved to heavyweight, winning the WBA title in 2009 after beating Nikolai Valuev, who had a size advantage.

Edwin Valero (December 3, 1981 – April 19, 2010) fought as a Venezuelan professional boxer from 2002 to 2010. He held two world championships undefeated. Valero won the WBA super featherweight title from 2006 to 2008. He also won the WBC lightweight title from 2009 to February 2010. Valero used a southpaw stance and fought with an aggressive style and great punching power. Valero remains the only WBC champion in 30 years who won every fight by knockout. In 2010, Valero took his own life in jail after police suspected him of killing someone.

James Walter Braddock, born June 7, 1905, and died November 29, 1974, was an American boxer. He was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937. Braddock fought as James J. Braddock, following James J. Corbett and James J. Jeffries. Braddock used a spoiling, counterpunching style, a powerful right hand, and an iron chin. Chronic hand injuries caused him to lose several bouts. He worked at the docks and collected social assistance to feed his family during the Great Depression. He made a comeback; in 1935, he fought.

Henry Maske, born January 6, 1964, in Treuenbrietzen, Bezirk Potsdam, is a German former professional boxer. He is one of Germany's most popular sports figures. Maske held the IBF light heavyweight title from 1993 until 1996.

Eva Ulrika Birgitta Wahlström, born October 30, 1980, is a Finnish professional boxer. She held the WBC female super-featherweight title starting in 2015. Before that, she held the European female super-featherweight title from 2012 to 2015. As an amateur, Wahlström earned a silver medal in the lightweight division at the 2004 and 2005 Women's European Championships. She also represented Finland at the 2006 Women's World Championships. Wahlström remains the most successful professional boxer from Finland; she is the first Finn to win a world title from one of the four major boxing bodies.

Charles J. Kalani Jr. (January 6, 1930 – August 22, 2000) was an American professional wrestler, boxer, college football player, soldier, actor, and martial artist. In fighting rings, he also competed as Professor Toru Tanaka, or simply Professor Tanaka.

Floyd Patterson (January 4, 1935 – May 11, 2006) was an American professional boxer. He fought from 1952 to 1972, reigning as the world heavyweight champion twice between 1956 and 1962. Patterson became the youngest boxer in history to win the title at age 21. He also became the first heavyweight to regain the title after losing it. As an amateur, he won a gold medal in the middleweight division at the 1952 Summer Olympics. The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America voted Patterson Fighter of the Year in 1956 and 1960. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.