Boxing is the longest-running combat sport in terms of household sports that can be caught on television. Being undefeated in combat sports comes with a certain respect that’s different from other sports. We’ve already looked at some of the best winning streaks in MMA where it is hard enough to keep that “0” at the end of a record. But in the sweet science of boxing, staying undefeated comes with bragging rights, and a target of its own for the record bearer.
Here are some undefeated boxers that should be on your radar. Some based their performance thus far, and some based on ESPN’s pound-for-pound and divisional rankings:
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CSOgZ4Tt8jS\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>- Years active: 2008- present
- Division: Heavyweight (champion)
- Most Recent Win: Defeated Deontay Wilder for WBC, The Ring Heavyweight titles
Born into pugilism in the UK, Fury’s career will likely be something Hollywood will want to make a movie out of in the future. His first match against Wilder where he was knocked down, and seemingly out had him stand up as if getting a second wind is symbolic of how he has lived his life. His struggles with drug use and depression are something he’s bounced back from and brought that mindset back into the ring, making him a champion to others struggling with their own demons. Fury will face Wilder for the third time in October.
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CSSZXkHrlE9\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>- Division: Welterweight (WBO Champion)
- Years active: 2008- Present
- Most Recent Win: Defended WBO title against Kell Brook, November 2020
The Nebraska native Crawford’s list of matches is long, especially since he moved up in weight to welterweight in 2017. He has a dominant match in that division where he dismantled Amir Khan, but according to Crawford in a 2016 interview, his toughest match was at lightweight in his first WBO lightweight title defense against Yuriorkis Gamboa. His win over Brook last November added his 28th T/KO to his undefeated record.
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CQ4SRgypgY1\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>- Division: Welterweight (WBC, IBF Champion)
- Years active: 2012-Present
- Most Recent Win: Defended WBC, IBF titles against Danny Garacia December 2020
Spence was scheduled to face the legendary Manny Pacquiao recently but had to undergo eye surgery for a torn retina that would have jeopardized the 31-year old’s career. Yordenis Ugás will be stepping in to face Pacquiao in August but for now, Spence’s “0” is safe. The Long Island native’s rise to prominence could be marked by a lot of his boast bouts. Being young and undefeated can be an albatross for some fighters when the names get more recognizable but when he scored a T/KO against Chris Algieri in 2016 it was time to take Spence seriously.
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CQbWouYDEXB\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>- Division: Junior Welterweight ( Undisputed Champion)
- Years active: 2015-present
- Most recent win: Defended WBA(Super), IBF titles & won WBC, WBO light-welterweight titles May 2021
With all the titles in boxing and all the various weight classes, it can be hard to be considered an undisputed champion. However, Scotland’sTaylor has not only been able to do it, but he has managed to stay undefeated while pursuing greatness. He may not have gotten a finish when he earned his undisputed status against Jose Ramirez last May but staying undefeated while becoming champion is no easy task. He is scheduled to face Jack Catterall on December 18.
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CSKYIvdIuYp\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>Division: Heavyweight (WBO Inter-continental champion)
Years active: 2013-present
Most recent win: Won the WBO title from Derek Chisora in October of 2020
The Ukrainian pro boxer has 13 knockouts as part of his undefeated record. He compiled his record as a cruiserweight, conquering that division and winning the WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring cruiserweight titles before making his move to heavyweight. He is scheduled to face unified heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua in September.
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CSKfmQ2hZbb\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>- Division: Super-middleweight (IBF Super-middleweight champion)
- Years Active: 2014-present
- Most recent win: Defended IBF title against Caleb Truax last January
The Tennessee-born Plant is known as “Sweet hands’ ‘ and this was backed up when he made his first IBF title defense against Mike Lee back in 2019. Lee was the underdog leading up to the match and rightfully so as Plant dominated him in the match before putting him away in the third round. Plant and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez are going to face one another in November for the undisputed super middleweight title.
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CSMZmVfL6jr\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>- Division: Super-middleweight, light-middleweight, middleweight (champion)
- Years active: 2016-present
- Most recent win: Defended WBC and WBO while winning IBF, WBA titles against Marie-Eve Dicaire in March of 2021
Shields has done almost everything there is to do in boxing. She is the first American boxer to win consecutive Olympic medals and has multiple professional titles in various weight classes in boxing. At 26-years-old, Shields still has plenty of time to return to boxing provided she gets paid what she’s worth. In the meantime, she’s getting her feet wet in MMA where she’s currently 1-0 and scheduled for her next MMA bout in October over at the Professional Fighters League.
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CPYRIx7r92L\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>- Division: Lightweight (Unified Champion)
- Years active: 2016-present
- Most recent win: Defended WBA title and won IBF, WBO titles with a decision victory over Vasyl Lomachenko in October of 2020
The 24-year-old New Yorker has done a lot in boxing in a very short amount of time. Even though he was born in New York, he represented Honduras in the 2016 Olympic games and as boxing fans know by now, that is the path to greatness as a pro-boxer. He won a decision against Lomachenko which many saw as his biggest test to date, but he handed Lomachenko the second loss of his career. His next title defense is scheduled for October against George Kambosos Jr.
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CQWL7pkrNwE\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>- Division: Bantamweight (WBA, IBF Champion)
- Years active: 2012-present
- Most recent win: Defended WBA, IBF titles against Michael Dasmariñas last June
The Japanese champion’s division is not one casual fans will be flocking to see, but if they happen upon any of his past matches, they would definitely start tuning into Inoue’s bouts. His power and body punching technique are examples of what makes boxing great. Currently, the 28-year-old has no bouts scheduled, but it might be a good idea to add his name to your boxing news alerts. Inoue is known as “Kaibutsu” in Japan which means “monster.”
<code><p class = "instagram-media">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CSGRGrHL2wT\/?utm_source=ig_embed\u0026amp;utm_campaign=loading</p></code>- Division: Light middleweight, Welterweight, light-welterweight, lightweight, Super Featherweight (Champion, retired)
- Years active: 1996-2017
- Most recent profession win: Defeated Conor McGregor via TKO in 2017
It would be a mistake to leave Mayweather Jr. off this list as he will likely go down as the very best defensive boxer in the history of the sport. While not active as a pro-boxer anymore, the recipe of his last pro bout against McGregor seemed to create a new market in the sport of boxing where athletes from other sports can compete for high purses under the rules of boxing. Since he’s retired, he’s done exhibitions against MMA and kickboxing champion, Tenshin Nasukawa whom he defeated in one round, and most recently, Logan Paul in a non-scored bout, all under boxing rules. Some may be critical of his defensive style and opponents he chose, but he seems to have a knack for making casual and hardcore fans of boxing tune in.
With the number of divisions and weight classes in boxing, this list might be found lacking but losses come in all sports. In combat sports losses are lessons and some of the greatest and current champions usually taste defeat before their career ends (Mayweather excluded). In fight sports, the young eventually eat the old but carrying that “0” for a long time will always count for something.