Seen on:
as known from New York Timesas known from USA Todayas known from yahoo!
VA

Top 10 Bantamweights in Boxing History

Publish Date: 07/18/2023
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis

Bantamweights

This list will be made up of only retired fighters so no Inoue just yet, but that day will come!

10) Manuel Ortiz

Ortiz was an accomplished fighter and two-time world champion, competing in 23 world title fights to capture world titles and beating the likes of Little Pancho, Jackie McCoy, Luis Castillo, Harold Dade and Benny Goldberg among many others.

Video: Manuel Ortiz - Legendary Champion

Manuel Ortiz – Legendary Champion

9) Panama Al Brown

Boxing’s first-ever Hispanic world champion was an elite bantamweight for over a decade – not to mention six world championship reigns – making history. A true fighter with an iron chin, Brown was knocked down once in all his fights (168 total).

Video: Panama Al Brown - Legendary Bantamweight

Panama Al Brown – Legendary Bantamweight

8. Fighting Harada

Harada was a tough and gritty battler who won both the flyweight and bantamweight titles. Boasts wins over Pone Kingpetch, Nobuo Chiba, Ray Perez, Antonio Herrera and the great Eder Jofre.

Video: Fighting Harada v. Eder Jofre I Full Fight Highlights 1080p

Fighting Harada v. Eder Jofre I Full Fight Highlights 1080p

7. Kid Williams

Williams (also known as John Gutenko), known for his relentless attacks, took on some of the great fighters of his era, such as Johnny Coulon, Pete Herman, Eddie O’Dowd, Joe Dundee, Charley Goldman, Young Montreal, and Midget Smith – to name just some of those he defeated during over 200 contests. Only seventeen fell before his relentless onslaught.

6. Terry McGovern

“Terrible” Terry was an aggressive battler with powerful punches. While his victory over Joe Gans may be considered questionable, Terrible Terry can boast legit victories against numerous formidable opponents such as George Dixon, Tim Callahan, Frank Erne, Aurelio Herrera and Oscar Gardner – to name just a few.

Video: Terry McGovern v. Joe Gans 1900

Terry McGovern v. Joe Gans 1900

5. Pete Herman

“Kid Herman” faced formidable opposition during his bantam championship run. Defeating opponents such as Kid Williams, Jimmy Wilde, Young Solzberg, Abe Friedman, Frankie Burns, Joe Lynch, Young Zulu and Johnny Coulon.

Video: Joe Gans vs. Kid Herman - Best Quality in Color - 1.1.1907

Joe Gans vs. Kid Herman – Best Quality in Color – 1.1.1907

4. Ruben Olivares

Olivera stands as an iconic bantamweight. A four-time world champion, he defeated such top talents as Chucho Castillo, Lionel Rose, Art Hafey, Efren Torres and Bobby Chacon to earn this status.

Video: The Legendary Ruben Olivares

The Legendary Ruben Olivares

3. George Dixon

Dixon was an innovator and the first black man to hold a world title, being heralded as one of the greatest fighters of the 19th century and Nat Fleischer’s all-time great bantam fighter. Champion for nearly a full decade, Little Chocolate participated in 23 title fights – more than anyone before Joe Louis broke the record.

Video: Black History Month: George “Little Chocolate” Dixon was a boxing pioneer

Black History Month: George “Little Chocolate” Dixon was a boxing pioneer

2. Carlos Zarate

What would have happened had Zarate chosen to fight a rematch against Lupe Pintor a win in a rematch could have set up a fight with Jeff Chandler. We may never know for certain, but one thing is sure – during his era, there wasn’t one bantamweight who could defeat Zarate straight up, it was hard enough to survive the distance with him.

Video: Carlos Zárate - Vicious Puncher

Carlos Zárate – Vicious Puncher

1. Eder Jofre

At his best, Jofre appeared unbeatable – and often was. While other contenders on this list faced deep pools of former champions or had more title defenses than him, his title challengers were typically impressive and excellently vanquished; and his reign ended just shy of double digit defenses.

Video: Eder Jofre - Golden Bantam

Eder Jofre – Golden Bantam

Read Also
Top 17 Latino Boxers of All Time
Ranking the top Latino boxers of all time is not an easy ...
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
Bet365 Promo
The Slickster versus The Monster – Stephen Fulton throws hands with Naoya Inoue July 25th
Stephen Fulton believes in himself. And why not? Fulton, the holder of ...
Fight Preview Inoue/Donaire: Preview and Prediction
Fans will never forget the fight between Nonito Donaire & Naoya Inoue ...
Card Subject to Change: Previewing a Women’s Boxing December to Remember
Christmas will come early for fans of women’s boxing with a plethora ...
Peter Maher: An Irish Tribute
INTRO: I was seriously ill in 2018 with 7 nights in the ...
Ranking the top 200 players in the NFL ahead of the 2021 season
This list isn’t based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. ...
Belinda Laracuente, The Puerto Rican Road Warrior Who Dished Out Brown Sugar By the Fistful
Anyone. Anytime. Anywhere. Belinda Laracuente was a boxer who not only embraced ...
Lady Tyger’s Tale: How Marian Trimiar Mauled the Boxing Establishment of the 1970s and 80s
To Feed the Ambition in Your Heart is Like Carrying a Tiger ...
Jack Moriarty and 1880’s Canadian Boxing
Sports journalist, Ed Fitkin, worked in print journalism at Toronto’s Daily Globe would find ...
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.
Virginia Town HallCloudflareSSL
Close
Our Sports Pros recommend these awesome sports betting sites this week:
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply, 21+
Promo Code:
Go to BetMGM
Get Bonus
FanDuel
FanDuel Bonus
Bet $5 Get $300 in Bonus Bets if you win
+ 3 Free Months of NBA League Pass
T&Cs apply, 21+
Promo Code:
Go to FanDuel
Get Bonus
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $5 Get $150 or $1000 First Bet Safety Net
T&Cs apply, 21+
Whatever the sport. Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you'll get the choice of two great New Customer Offers, the First Bet Safety Net up to $1000 or Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code:
Go to Bet365
Go to Bet365
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Play now