Joe Louis – the “Brown Bomber”

During the twelve years that Joe Louis was heavyweight champion of the world, his dominance was almost unchallenged.  One of the greatest in boxing history, the “Brown Bomber” was top of the boxing ranking during the troubled times just before the Second World War.

It was Louis who inspired Sugar Ray Robinson to box, and inspired a whole generation of boxing champions after him.  He also served in the Army for three years, touring Europe to raise morale and act as an Army spokesman.  Widely regarded by boxing fans as one of the greatest fighters in boxing history, Louis died in 1981 at age 66 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Louis

Muhammad Ali – the greatest

No discussion of boxing history can possibly be complete without talking about Muhammad Ali; boxing fans from all over the world agree that he was, for once, not boasting when he described himself as “The Greatest.”  A naturally gifted fighter, Ali (born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky) changed his name in 1964 when he converted to Islam, and became a controversial figure two years later when he refused to go to fight in Vietnam.  For a time, his political activities threatened his place at the top of the boxing rankings, but he came back to be world heavyweight boxing champion, not once but three times, most famously defeating George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1975.

Having retired in 1981, Ali’s place in boxing history is assured.  A sufferer from Parkinson’s disease, he remains one of the most recognizable sportsmen in the world.  A true boxing champion, he is widely regarded as Sportsman of the 20th Century.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/561352.stm

George Foreman – an enduring boxing champion

George Foreman is one of the best-loved characters in boxing history, and was twice heavyweight boxing champion of the world.  In 1973, he caused one of the greatest upsets in boxing history when he defied boxing ranking to knock out Joe Frazier in the second round to win the world championship.  The following year, in the “Rumble in the Jungle,” Muhammad Ali became the only boxer to knock Foreman out in a professional bout.

Many thought that Foreman’s career at the top of the boxing rankings was over, but incredibly, he regained his world heavyweight boxing crown fully 20 years after losing it for the first time, in 1994 at the ripe old age of 45.  George Foreman finally retired in 1999 and has made a successful second career as a businessman selling his famous George Foreman Grills.  You can see his entire career record here.

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=000090