The Best Boxers of the 21st Century

The 21st century has seen some of the most talented and iconic boxers step into the ring. From undisputed champions to pound-for-pound greats, the era has been defined by legendary fighters who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Here’s a look at the top 25 boxers of the century, as ranked by ESPN.

1. Floyd Mayweather

Floyd 'Money' Mayweather is widely regarded as the best boxer of the 2000s. With an impeccable record of 50-0, Mayweather’s defensive mastery, ring IQ, and counterpunching skills made him nearly unbeatable. He defeated five fighters on this list, including Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest of all time.

2. Manny Pacquiao

Manny 'PacMan' Pacquiao is the only eight-division world champion in boxing history. Known for his aggressive, high-volume punching style, Pacquiao defeated legends like Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto. Despite a knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao’s resilience and longevity have made him a fan favorite.

3. Bernard Hopkins

Bernard 'The Alien' Hopkins became the oldest world champion in boxing history at age 49. With a record 20 consecutive middleweight title defenses, Hopkins’ tactical brilliance and conditioning set him apart. His victories over Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya solidified his place among the greats.

4. Oleksandr Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk is the current undisputed heavyweight champion and has achieved undisputed status in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. With victories over Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Usyk has proven himself as the best heavyweight of his generation.

5. Canelo Alvarez

Canelo Alvarez is the face of modern boxing and the only undisputed super middleweight champion. With titles in four weight classes, Canelo’s victories over Gennadiy Golovkin and his upcoming fight against Terence Crawford highlight his dominance in the sport.

6. Andre Ward

Andre Ward retired undefeated with a record of 32-0. Known for his technical prowess and intelligence in the ring, Ward unified titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight. His victories over Carl Froch and Sergey Kovalev are among his career highlights.

7. Terence Crawford

Terence 'Bud' Crawford is the first male boxer to become an undisputed champion in two weight classes during the four-belt era. With a record of 41-0, Crawford’s precision and power have made him one of the most feared fighters in the sport.

8. Juan Manuel Marquez

Juan Manuel 'El Dinamita' Marquez is best known for his knockout of Manny Pacquiao in their fourth fight. A four-division world champion, Marquez’s technical skills and resilience have earned him a place among the greats.

9. Roy Jones Jr.

Roy Jones Jr. is one of the most gifted athletes in boxing history. With titles in four weight classes, Jones’ speed and athleticism made him a fan favorite. Despite a decline in his later career, Jones’ early dominance is unmatched.

10. Naoya Inoue

Naoya 'The Monster' Inoue is the current undisputed junior featherweight champion. With a record of 30-0, Inoue’s speed, power, and technical skills have made him one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

11. Gennadiy Golovkin

Gennadiy 'GGG' Golovkin is known for his devastating power and granite chin. With a record of 42-2-1, Golovkin’s trilogy with Canelo Alvarez is one of the most iconic rivalries in boxing history.

12. Joe Calzaghe

Joe Calzaghe retired undefeated with a record of 46-0. The longest-reigning super middleweight champion, Calzaghe’s hand speed and technical skills made him one of Britain’s greatest fighters.

13. Erik Morales

Erik 'El Terrible' Morales was the first Mexican-born fighter to win titles in four weight classes. Known for his aggressive style and epic trilogy with Marco Antonio Barrera, Morales is one of Mexico’s finest.

14. Vasiliy Lomachenko

Vasiliy 'Hi-Tech' Lomachenko is one of the most technically gifted fighters in boxing history. With titles in three weight classes, Lomachenko’s footwork and speed have made him a fan favorite.

15. Oscar De La Hoya

Oscar 'The Golden Boy' De La Hoya was boxing’s biggest star in the early 2000s. With titles in six weight classes, De La Hoya’s left hook and charisma made him a household name.

16. Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez

Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez is the first and only boxer from Nicaragua to win titles in four weight classes. Known for his aggressive style and combination punching, Gonzalez has brought attention to the smaller weight classes.

17. Tyson Fury

Tyson 'The Gypsy King' Fury is a two-time heavyweight champion. Known for his unorthodox style and resilience, Fury’s victories over Deontay Wilder have cemented his place among the greats.

18. Miguel Cotto

Miguel Cotto was the first Puerto Rican boxer to win titles in four weight classes. Known for his powerful left hook, Cotto’s victories over Shane Mosley and Sergio Martinez are among his career highlights.

19. Vitali Klitschko

Vitali 'Dr. Ironfist' Klitschko is a three-time heavyweight champion. Known for his power and durability, Klitschko’s reign alongside his brother Wladimir dominated the heavyweight division.

20. Marco Antonio Barrera

Marco Antonio Barrera is a three-division world champion. Known for his epic trilogy with Erik Morales, Barrera’s victories over Naseem Hamed and Morales have made him a legend.

21. Katie Taylor

Katie Taylor is a two-weight undisputed champion and the face of women’s boxing. With a record of 25-1, Taylor’s rivalry with Amanda Serrano has brought unprecedented attention to women’s boxing.

22. Wladimir Klitschko

Wladimir Klitschko is the second-longest-reigning heavyweight champion in history. Known for his jab-and-grab strategy, Klitschko’s dominance in the heavyweight division is unmatched.

23. Claressa Shields

Claressa Shields is the only boxer to be undisputed in three weight classes during the four-belt era. With a record of 17-0, Shields’ dominance in women’s boxing is unparalleled.

24. Ronald 'Winky' Wright

Ronald 'Winky' Wright is a masterful defensive southpaw. Known for his technical skills, Wright’s victories over Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad have earned him a place among the greats.

25. Timothy Bradley Jr.

Timothy 'Desert Storm' Bradley is a two-division world champion. Known for his toughness and resilience, Bradley’s victories over Manny Pacquiao and Ruslan Provodnikov are among his career highlights.

These 25 fighters have defined the 21st century of boxing, each leaving a lasting legacy in the sport. From Mayweather’s defensive mastery to Canelo’s dominance, these legends have set the standard for future generations.