Boxing is a sport that has been around since the dawn of time. In fact, it’s one of the oldest sports in the world. It has also been widely practiced throughout history, from ancient Greece and Rome to modern times.
It was first conceived in England in the early 18th century and was initially known as “prizefighting.” Boxers were often captured and brought to public arenas, where they would fight each other for money.
Boxing as a sport has been around for nearly 200 years. This sport is now regulated by many organizations that oversee amateur and professional boxing matches. It is a sport that has been around for over a century. The sport has been plagued with many accusations as well as controversies. One of these allegations talks about its effectiveness in building character and developing physical strength.
Have you ever wondered: “Who is the greatest boxer of all time?” “Who are the world’s oldest boxers?” Or maybe you’re just looking for some quick boxing facts and figures. Well, look no further. This article will show you the 10 oldest boxing champions who ever lived.
10. Mike Tyson (June 30, 1966 – Present)
Nationality: British-Canadian
Age: 56
Career Started: 1985
No. of Championships: 50
photo source: Reuters
On March 6, 1985, in Albany, New York, Tyson faced Hector Mercedes in his first-ever professional match. Mercedes was eliminated by the 18-year-old in the first round.
Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion in history in 1986 at the age of 20. After losing his crown in 1990, he was imprisoned for three years on rape-related allegations. He then gained more prominence for biting Evander Holyfield’s ear during a rematch in 1997.
Tyson then went on to star in a number of movies and a Broadway play about his life, become a best-selling author, and start a prosperous cannabis company. Tyson’s opponents were frequently wary of striking him due to his strength, quick fists, and impressive defensive skills.
Did You Know?
Mike Tyson’s incredible talent has earned him the moniker “Iron Mike.”
9. Lennox Lewis (September 2, 1965 – Present)
Nationality: British-Canadian
Age: 57
Career Started: 1984
No. of Championships: 41
photo source: Ring News 24
Lewis is one of three boxers in history to have won the heavyweight championship three times, joining Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield before him. Lewis is involved in a lot of charity, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Lennox Lewis founded the League of Champions (LOC) Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire the next generation of champions to succeed in life’s ring.
He also provides his time and knowledge to the Canadian Youth Boxing Center. In addition, he sponsors a young chess team and donates to innumerable organizations and humanitarian causes every year.
Did You Know?
For his contributions to boxing, this former heavyweight champion was additionally given the M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire), as well as the C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
8. Bernard Hopkins (January 15, 1965 – Present)
Nationality: American
Age: 57
Career Started: 1988
No. of Championships: 55
photo source: Sports Illustrated
He was raised in one of Philadelphia’s most violent housing complexes. He started stealing small items when he was 11 years old, and within two years, he was robbing others and had suffered three stab wounds. He also frequently visited the hospital room.
For a man who was once the greatest boxer in the world, Bernard Hopkins’ career has been full of ups and downs. When he was about 21 years old, he discovered boxing. It’s a cliche that most fighters are violent individuals who leave the ring even more violent than when they entered.
Hopkins started boxing after being released from prison, became famous for his knockout skills before becoming known for his deft defensive fighting, and is currently one of the most successful pro boxers in history.
Did You Know?
Hopkins beat George Foreman’s record to become one of the oldest fighters to ever win a world championship at age 46 years.
7. Evander Holyfield (October 19, 1962 – Present)
Nationality: American
Age: 59
Career Started: 1984
No. of Championships: 44
photo source: SportBible
Evander Holyfield was born on October 19, 1962 in Atmore, Alabama. At 6 ft 2 in, he was a towering figure on the field and became known as “The Real Deal.”
In 1984, Holyfield turned pro and became a top contender for world heavyweight titles as well as an entertaining fighter who drew big crowds for his fights. In 1986, Holyfield made his first appearance on HBO’s Boxing After Dark series and became a star overnight.
He would go on to appear on this show for seven years in total—including several appearances during which he fought Sugar Ray Leonard—and it provided him with additional exposure that helped him become one of the most famous boxers ever.
Did You Know?
Evander broke Muhammad Ali’s record of three victories in the heavyweight division by becoming the first professional fighter to capture the title four times in a row.
6. Steve Ward (August 12, 1956- Present)
Nationality: American
Age: 66
Career Started: 1977
No. of Championships: 136
photo source: Mirror UK
Steve Ward has pretty much experienced everything that the boxing world has to offer. From turning professional in the late 1970s to competing underground in bare-knuckle fights, holding three Guinness World Records, and now, at the age of 65, finally obtaining a world title.
After suffering a very serious foot injury in a freak workplace accident, Steve eventually considered taking his own life. However, he eventually recovered, surprising doctors and earning the respect of the world’s oldest professional boxing champion, George Foreman, who called to congratulate him on setting his own Guinness World Record.
Did You Know?
At the age of 11, Ward fought for the first time. From 1967 to 1977, he competed for 10 years as an amateur before turning professional at the age of 21.
5. Joe Frazier (January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011)
Nationality: American
Age: 67
Career Started: 1965
No. of Championships: 32
photo source: Wikimedia
Joe Frazier was an American heavyweight boxer and a three-time world heavyweight champion. He is one of the pioneers in the sport, as well as a member, along with Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, of what was referred to as “The Legacy”.
His Fight of the Century against Muhammad Ali in 1971 was a major event in modern boxing history, and remains one of the most famous bouts ever fought. He had a very impressive career, from 1965 until his retirement in 1981.
His time as a boxer included victories over Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, and Jimmy Ellis. Frazier was known for his speed, power, and endurance during his boxing career.
Did You Know?
Joe Frazier is one of only six boxers to have won the WBC and WBA titles, and two of only four boxers to win both titles.
4. George Foreman (January 10, 1949 – Present)
Nationality: American
Age: 73
Career Started: 1967
No. of Championships: 76
photo source: Ring TV
Foreman, a young person from a poor family, frequently picked on smaller kids and hated getting up early for school. By the age of 15, Foreman had developed into a mugger and brawler on the rough streets of Houston’s Fifth Ward.
When Foreman visited California, he met Doc Broadus, a Job Corps counselor and boxing trainer. Broaddus was the one who persuaded Foreman to take up boxing.
In 1973, he faced Ali again in what was billed as “The Rumble in the Jungle.” Ali retained his title by outpointing Foreman over 15 rounds. However, Foreman had managed to take control of the fight early on through aggressive tactics and effective use of his strength against Ali’s slower reflexes. After the fight, Foreman said, “I had him where I wanted him.”
Did You Know?
By the end of the 1990s, Foreman had developed his sales techniques and was making millions of dollars from his appearances in infomercials hawking the George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine. The devices have so far been sold in more than 100 million different countries.
3. Muhammad Ali (January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016)
Nationality: American
Age: 74
Career Started: 1960
No. of Championships: 56
photo source: History
Muhammad Ali was one of the most talented boxers of all time. He became a world champion at a young age and continued to win titles for many years. He was known for his charisma and incredible speed, which helped him win a lot of fights.
Throughout his career, Ali was a contentious figure due to his outspokenness on racial, religious, and political matters. The heavyweight was also known for his lightning-fast insults and jabs. Ali changed his name in 1964 after he joined the Nation of Islam.
He refused to join the military on the grounds of his religious convictions, and as a result, during the peak of his career, he lost his heavyweight title and received a three-year boxing ban. Ali’s popularity fell as a result of what many believed to be his draft dodging.
Did You Know?
In 10 battles, Ali was able to successfully defend his title, including the memorable “Thrilla in Manila” on October 1, 1975, in which Ali’s bitter opponent, Frazier, failed to ring the bell for the final round because his eyes were swollen shut.
2. Eder Jofre (March 26, 1936 – Present)
Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 86
Career Started: 1956
No. of Championships: 72
photo source: Torcedores
From a boxing family, he first made a name for himself as an amateur in the flyweight division. Unbeaten, he then switched to the bantamweight division (1956), competed for Brazil in the Latin American championship in Montevideo, and took part in the Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia (1965), where he advanced to the quarterfinals of the bantamweight division before being defeated by Chilean Cláudio Barrientos. The following year, he started his professional career.
He was the only Brazilian to gain the title of world boxing champion on two occasions, and, so, was the best Brazilian boxer of all time. He also won the world bantamweight and featherweight titles.
Did You Know?
Eder Jofre is one of the most famous fans in the world. He has been known to attend every single one of his team’s games and even goes out of his way to make sure that he is in the best seats possible.
1. Barbara Buttrick (December 3, 1929 – Present)
Nationality: British
Age: 92
Career Started: 1948
No. of Championships: 35
photo source: BBC
Barbara Buttrick is the oldest living boxer in the world. She is known for her speed, power, and conditioning. She has won over thirty-five fights in her career, including titles as champion at both the national level in the United States and the international level in Australia.
Buttrick was the first woman to win an American Boxing League title, and she is now one of the most successful trainers in boxing. Buttrick’s work with women has helped thousands of them develop confidence in themselves, and she has even helped some of them become professional fighters.
She formed and was elected president of the Women’s International Boxing Federation (WIBF), a significant organization that governs women’s boxing, in the middle of the 1990s.
Did You Know?
She is known as “The Mighty Atom of the Ring,” stood 4′ 11″ tall and weighed 98 pounds.
