28 lBOXING NEWSlJANUARY 11, 2018 http://www.boxingnewsonline.net
➤ Rademacher had never had a professional bout
beforehand. So, like it or not, Mayweather sits at the
top of the table of world champions who retired with
a 100 per cent record, but his claims to be “The Best
Ever” – largely due to the importance he places on
being unbeaten – should perhaps be put into context.
Today, promoters and managers will go a long way
to keep that ‘0’ on a fighter’s record and, of course,
to retire undefeated and win every fight, particularly
at Mayweather’s level, is very impressive indeed.
However, I’d argue that in the current era, it is easier –
for want of a better word – than it would have been in
days gone by to get through an entire career without
experiencing a loss. Indeed, Mayweather could
soon be passed by the WBC strawweight championWanheng Menayothin, who is 49-0, and still active,
so 51 wins should be well within his compass.
But to focus solely on champions who won every
fight or went undefeated over a long career with
a draw here and there is to overlook some of the
incredible unbeaten runs achieved by fighters during
their careers. Furthermore, one can certainly argue
that during the unbeaten streaks detailed over the
following pages, the boxers getting their hands held
aloft were just as ‘unbeatable’ – at least for a period- as the few who retired with their spotless records
intact.
Here, we count down the longest (in fights, not
years) unbeaten runs achieved by world champions
during their career.
MADE IT TO THE END
Five world champs who retired without a loss
1 JIMMY BARRY, 58-0-10
Active from January 1891 until September- Won world title bouts at 100lbs,
105lbs, 108lbs and 110lbs, and drew in a
fight for a world championship at 115lbs.
The Irish-American was recognised as world
bantamweight champion from 1894 to 1899.
Drew his last eight contests.
2 RICARDO LOPEZ, 51-0-1
The Mexican competed from January 1985
until September 2001. Turned pro at 18 and
won WBC, WBA and WBO strawweight and IBF
light-flyweight titles. Won his first 47 fights.
Was 25-0-1 in 26 world title bouts.3 FLOYD MAYWEATHER, 50-0
Fought from October 1996 until August 2017,
cementing his status as an all-time great along
the way. The American earned super-feather(WBC), lightweight (WBC), super-lightweight
(WBC), welterweight (WBC, WBA, IBF and
WBO) and super-welter (WBC and WBA) titles.4 ROCKY MARCIANO, 49-0
Marciano was a professional from March 1947
until September 1955. He scored 43 wins inside
the distance, and made six heavyweight title
defences. Anyone who questions the American’s
credentials should try mixing it with Jersey
Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore.5 JOE CALZAGHE, 46-0
In action from October 1993 until November- The Welsh legend picked up the WBC,
WBA, IBF and WBO super-middleweight
titles. He made 21 successful defences of the
WBO crown, and is the longest-reigning super-
middleweight champion, having held the belt
for over 10 years.
IMMORTALISED:
Even now, Marciano’s
49-0 record is arguably
the most famous in
boxing historyBIG LITTLE MAN:
Defeat is something Lopez never had to taste