History's Pioneering Boxers Who Sailed Into Retirement With an Unblemished Record
Undefeated Boxing Legends:
Bragging about the glory days, here's a list of the only 13 boxers in history who retired without experiencing a single loss in the ring. Some of these greats, like Floyd Mayweather Jr., are gearing up for a new battle — this time it's with Conor McGregor on August 26th. Keep your eyes peeled, as history could be made again.
- Terry Marsh
- Harry Simon
- Pichit Sitbangprachan
- Ji-won Kim
- Mihai Leu
- Jimmy Barry
- Dmitry Pirog
- Jack McAuliffe
- Edwin Valero
- Sven Ottke
- Joe Calzaghe
- Ricardo Lopez
- Rocky Marciano
13. Terry Marsh: The Resilient Brit
England's Terry Marsh fought his last professional bout in 2007, clinching the IBF Jr. Welterweight Title with a victorious clash against Joe Manley. Marsh defended the belt once more before calling it quits, leaving behind an impressive record of 26-0-1 with 10 KOs. His only draw came against Lloyd Christie in 1982. Despite having a fantastic amateur career, becoming a European Champion, and remaining undefeated as a pro, Marsh's opponents didn't quite measure up to the elite level during his brief career from 1981 to 1987. Marsh has since found success in chess-boxing, earning the welterweight title, dabbling in acting, and even dipping his toes in politics.
12. Harry Simon: The Namibian Warrior
With a perfect record of 30-0 and 22 KOs, Harry Simon of Namibia held the WBO Junior Middleweight Title from 1998 to 2002. Simon defended the title four times before vacating it and later regaining it in 2002 following a victory over Armand Krajnc. However, Simon's career was stunted by multiple car accidents, causing him to forfeit his title. Simon was sentenced to two years in prison for culpable homicide in one of the accidents, but later returned to the ring in 2010, fighting as a light heavyweight. He retired undefeated with a knockout ratio of 73%. For the most part, Simon's opponents were mostly Grade B fighters, such as Wayne Alexander, Hacine Cherifi, and Rodney Jones.
11. Pichit Sitbangprachan: Thailand's Flyweight Legend
Thailand's Pichit Sitbangprachan, also known as Supap Hanwichachai, went 24-0 as a flyweight with 18 KOs in Thailand. In November 1992, he won the IBF Championship and held it for roughly two years. Sitbangprachan defended the title five times, also facing several non-title contests. He retired for a while, returned for one more fight, and eventually called it quits for good. Among his best wins were against Miguel Martinez, Rodolfo Blanco, Dan Nietes, Antonio Perez, and Jose Luis Zepeda.
10. Ji-won Kim: South Korea's Boxing Star
Ji-won Kim, a South Korean southpaw, garnered many gold medals while excelling in the amateur ranks. He turned pro in 1982, winning various regional titles before defeating fellow countryman Suh Sung-in for the IBF Super Bantamweight Title in 1985. Kim defended the championship four times before retiring as the undefeated champion in 1986, after a highlighted collection of wins against Bobby Berna, Suh Sung-in, Ruben Palacios, and others. Kim ultimately left professional boxing to pursue a career in singing and acting.
9. Mihai Leu: Germany's Mysterious Champion
Born in Romania but fighting out of Germany, Mihai Leu, also known as Michael Loewe, compiled a perfect 28-0 record with 10 KOs from 1991-1997. In 1997, he captured the WBO Welterweight Championship and defended it once before retiring. Unfortunately, Leu didn't fight any elite opponents during his career. An injury prohibited him from continuing, but he later found success in rally driving, winning the Romanian national championship.
8. Jimmy Barry: The Tiger Roars On
Jimmy 'The Little Tiger' Barry of Chicago enjoyed a remarkable career from 1891-1899, boasting an impressive official record of 59-0-10 with 40 KOs. Barry fought in over a hundred bouts, but records showed only the official wins. Barry's longest bout was recorded at 64 rounds. He was recognized as the very first Lightweight Champion of the World between 1886-1893. Unfortunately, Barry is most known for the death of Walter Croot, one of his opponents, following their bout in December 1897. Barry was charged with manslaughter, but the charges were eventually dropped following the examination of Croot's cause of death due to a head injury while being knocked down.
7. Dmitry Pirog: Russia's Undefeated Champion
Dmitry Pirog of Russia had a brief professional career, stretching from 2005-2012. Pirog retired due to a back injury but managed to go 20-0 with 15 KOs. He also managed to capture the WBO Middleweight Championship in 2010 and held onto it for two years. Pirog amassed a remarkable record of 200-30 as an amateur, winning numerous regional titles before meeting Daniel Jacobs for the vacant WBO Middleweight Championship in 2010. Although Jacobs was the clear favorite, Pirog delivered a stunning upset by defeating Jacobs in the fifth round. He defended the title three times but was later stripped of it for opting to fight Gennady Golovkin rather than defending against Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam, the WBO's interim champ.
6. Jack McAuliffe: Ireland's Napoleon of the Ring
Jack McAuliffe of Cork, Ireland, boxed in the late 19th century, dominating the lightweight division in America. McAuliffe boxed to 10 draws, including each one of his last nine fights, leaving him with an impressive record of 59-0-10 with 40 KOs. From 1885-1897, McAuliffe was considered the very first World Lightweight Champion of the World. Unfortunately, boxing in the 19th century was much different, with fighters often engaging in over 20-round bouts. McAuliffe retired in 1897.
5. Edwin Valero: Venezuela's Tragic Superstar
Edwin Valero of Venezuela was a superstar in themaking, boasting a perfect 27-0 record, all via knockout, in the super featherweight division before retirement at 28, brought about by tragic circumstances. Valero, a southpaw, won the WBA Super Featherweight Title in 2006 and held it for two years. He later moved up to lightweight and captured the WBC Belt against Antonio Pitalua. Valero defended his titles a total of five times before his tragic end. He was arrested in 2010 for allegedly assaulting his wife, but Valero claimed she had fallen down the stairs. The boxer was sent for psychiatric treatment and later faced murder charges, confessing to the killing and tragically taking his own life in his cell the following day.
4. Sven Ottke: Germany's Four-Time Olympian
Sven Ottke, a three-time Olympian, transformed his excellent amateur career into an unbeaten professional run from 1997-2004. With a record of 34-0 and six KOs, Ottke won both the WBA (Super) and IBF Super Middleweight Titles, reigning as the world champion for an impressive six years while hanging up his gloves. Ottke defended his championships a total of 21 times and faced off against top opponents like Armand Krajnc, Robin Reid, Byron Mitchell, Joe Gatti, Thomas Tate, Charles Brewer, Anthony Mundine, and Glen Johnson. Ottke also excelled in the amateur ranks, with victories against Michael Moorer, Chris Byrd, and Antonio Tarver.
3. Joe Calzaghe: The Pride of Wales
Joe Calzaghe, a southpaw, had an impeccable undefeated record of 46-0 with 32 KOs from 1993-2008. Regarded as "The Pride of Wales," Calzaghe first captured the WBO Super Middleweight Title in 1997 against Chris Eubank and went on to hold titles from all four major sanctioning bodies. He is recognized as having the longest reign of the light heavyweight division and defended his title 21 times. Calzaghe's impressive list of victories includes boxing legends like Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, Mario Veit, Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell, Jeff Lacy, and Mikkel Kessler.
2. Ricardo Lopez: Mexico's Minimumweight Marvel
Ricardo "El Finito" Lopez, of Mexico, is another undefeated legend with an impressive 51-0-1 record, including 38 KOs, fighting from 1985-2001. Lopez captured the WBC and Lineal Minimumweight Titles in 1990, and defended his belt 21 times before setting a new record. He later added the WBO Minimumweight Crown in 1997, and in his very next fight, he moved up to light flyweight and captured the IBF Crown. In his brief professional career, Lopez never lost a bout in the amateurs and became the first man to never lose a bout while also boasting 26 title bouts without a loss, sharing this record with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Joe Louis.
1. Rocky Marciano: The Unconquerable Brockton Blockbuster
Last, but certainly not least, there's Rocky Marciano, undoubtedly one of the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history. Born in Brockton, Massachusetts, Marciano holds the record for the most title defenses in history at 6 with a perfect record of 49-0 and 43 KOs between 1947-1955. Despite his smaller stature, Marciano boasted tremendous power, making him a force to be reckoned with. Marciano won the World Heavyweight Title in his 43rd pro fight against Jersey Joe Walcott and defended his championship six times before retiring at the age of 32. Although Marciano considered a comeback in 1959, he ultimately chose against it. Marciano tragically lost his life in a small plane crash in 1969, one day before his birthday, leaving behind an incredible legacy. Marciano's impressive list of victories includes boxing legends Archie Moore, Don Cockell, Ezzard Charles (twice), Lee Savold, Harry Matthews, and the great Joe Louis.
- Terry Marsh: Despite his impressive undefeated record in boxing, Marsh found success in chess-boxing, acting, and politics after retiring.
- Harry Simon: As a football fan, Harry Simon might have enjoyed watching Namibia's national team, which could offer a new challenge for him, given his competitive spirit.
