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

Top 10 Most Intimidating Boxers in History

Most intimidating boxers of all-time!
Publish Date: 06/29/2023
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis

10) Khaosai Galaxy

I know how a guy that weighs 115lbs be intimidating can? You ask that unless you weigh 115lbs and have to fight this guy! His trademark punch, which translates from the Thai as “the left hand that drills intestines,” left opponents doubled up on the canvas in agonizing pain. He retired with a 49-1 record and 43 of those wins by knockout. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

Video: Khaosai Galaxy - Highlights & Knockouts

Khaosai Galaxy – Highlights & Knockouts

9) Mike Tyson

Tyson stopped 26 of his first 28 opponents by KO/TKO, 16 within the first round. Then, just 4 months after turning 20, he was given a world title shot and snatched it with ease after destroying Trevor Berbick in the 2nd round. Tyson’s reign of terror would continue for the next 4 years before the evils of fame and fortune took their toll, and from that point on, it was a downward spiral, and his form was never truly the same.

Video: Mike Tyson Knockouts Collection - Top 10 Knockouts

Mike Tyson Knockouts Collection – Top 10 Knockouts

8) Thomas Hearns

Inside the ring, he was simply a monster, and it wasn’t due to his persona but rather his attributes.

Hearns had accomplishments from the Welterweight division all the way through to Cruiserweight, but it was in his lower weight classes where he was the most intimidating.

He was 6 ft. 1″, had long gangly arms, and hit like a tonne of bricks. Getting inside was a dangerous task for his opponents, and staying outside was just as risky because of Hearns’ reach.  As a result, many of his opponents were rendered unconscious, took ferocious beatings, or even both.

Video: THOMAS HEARNS KNOCKOUTS (HITMAN'S GREATEST HITS)

THOMAS HEARNS KNOCKOUTS (HITMAN’S GREATEST HITS)

7) Aaron Pryor

Possibly the greatest junior welterweight of all time, he could put the fear of god in an opponent; just before the bell rang for the first round, Pryor would be in his trademark pose where he’d point his glove directly at his opponent while staring at him menacingly as if to say “Someone’s gonna get hurt!”.

That stare alone was enough to send shivers down spines, but with speed, power, tenacity, and an immense work rate, Pryor would be a terrible nightmare for any opponent.

Video: The Most RELENTLESS Finisher In Boxing History! Aaron Pryor

The Most RELENTLESS Finisher In Boxing History! Aaron Pryor

6) Carlos Monzon

Carlos Monzon was a terrifying force both inside and outside of the ring. Violence was simply a way of life for Monzon, who was raised in poverty in the slums of Santa Fe. Boxing was his way out, and he quickly became one of Argentina’s favorite sons, pulverizing opponents with his staggering right hands and inhuman endurance.

His public beatings laid out to press members put multiple men in the hospital, and he was eventually imprisoned for throwing his wife off of a hotel balcony to her death.

Video: Carlos Monzón - Highlights & Knockouts

Carlos Monzón – Highlights & Knockouts

5) Sam Langford

Langford had a mean look about him and could punch like a mule. So much that he was rated #2 by The Ring Magazine’s list of “100 greatest punchers of all time“. Widely considered the best fighter in heavyweight history to not when the title. Jack Johnson refused to fight him.

Video: Sam Langford - The Boston Bonecrusher

Sam Langford – The Boston Bonecrusher

4) Marvin Hagler

How hard did Hagler punch? Well, he holds to highest KO percentage (78%) of all middleweight champions.

Hagler was a hard man, and it showed in his training, as he would run in army boots instead of running shoes because, according to him, they were “sissy shoes.”

Video: Marvelous Marvin Hagler ~ Ultimate Knockouts (Tribute)

Marvelous Marvin Hagler ~ Ultimate Knockouts (Tribute)

3) Sonny Liston

One of the deadliest punchers of all time, Sonny Liston’s staggering 84 inches reach terrified anyone unlucky enough to fight him.

Born into a sharecropping family in Arkansas, his father brutally beat him, leaving visible scars decades later. The anger he stored from those beating fueled him in the ring, and in 1956 he was arrested for assaulting a police officer. There were also pervasive rumors that Liston made extra money moonlighting as a Mafia enforcer.

His two destructions of Floyd Patterson show you just how scary Liston could be.

Video: Sonny Liston - Intimidation

Sonny Liston – Intimidation

2) Roberto Duran

Boasting the nickname “Hands Of Stone,” Panamanian-born pugilist Roberto Duran is widely regarded as the greatest lightweight of all time… Duran was a terrifying presence from the moment he stepped into the ring, famous for locking his opponents with a cobra-like stare from across the squared circle. He dominated the lightweight division for close to a decade.

Video: HBO Roberto Duran (Hands of Stone) Highlights

HBO Roberto Duran (Hands of Stone) Highlights

1) George Foreman

Foreman used to psych himself up for a fight by telling himself that he was literally going to murder his opponent, and when you watch him fight, you can see lethality behind every blow. His destruction of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in two rounds made him seem even more invincible. This rating at number one is for the young version of Foreman.

Video: Top 10 George Foreman Best Knockouts HD

Top 10 George Foreman Best Knockouts HD

Read Also
Tommy Morrison and AIDS: The Truth about what happened, and how he Died.
Tommy Morrison burst onto the professional boxing scene in 1988. Following a ...
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
Bet365 Promo
What if Mike Tyson Fought in the 1960s and 70s: Part 3 of 3
In part one of our series Mike Tyson was an unstoppable force ...
What If Mike Tyson Fought in the 1960s and 70s: Part 1 of 3
For this mythical series, we will use our time machine to move ...
Peter Maher: An Irish Tribute
INTRO: I was seriously ill in 2018 with 7 nights in the ...
The Forgotten Canadian Champion (And Maybe It’s Deserved): Billy Hawkins
As Mike Goodpaster and I prepare our popular Old-Time Boxing Show podcast, ...
Black Heavyweight Champion Frank Childs vs. Former Colored Heavyweight Champion Bob Armstrong in Cincinnati (Robinson’s Opera House — 3/4/1899)
Bob Armstrong’s reputation as Colored heavyweight Champion – despite the same promotional ...
Cincinnati Christmas Boxing Arrest of John L. Sullivan (12-25-1880)
Professor John Donaldson from Cleveland held a reputation as “Champion of the ...
The 1888 Colored Heavyweight Champion: George Godfrey
By January 1888, George Godfrey had been the Colored heavyweight Champion nearly ...
Irish Heavyweight Champion (OR NOT), Peter Maher (1895)
(Phoenix, Arizona – June 2018)  Last night -- or this morning depending ...
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
BetMGM
4.9/5
Bet365
4.8/5
Caesars
4.7/5
FanDuel
4.6/5
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.6/5
Fanatics
Fanatics
Fanatics Review
4.5/5
Barstool
Barstool Review
3.7/5
Bally Bet
Bally Bet Review
3.7/5
BetMGM
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs apply
4.9/5
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.
Bet365
Bet365 Promo
Bet $5 & Get $150
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.
Caesars
Caesars Promo
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)
FanDuel
FanDuel Promo
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit RG Help . Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit Helpline and Chat - CONNECTICUT COUNCIL (CT). Hope is here. Home or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit Home (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C.) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. See terms at FanDuel Sportsbook
DraftKings
DraftKings Promo
New Customers: Bet $5+ Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins + 3 Months of League Pass On Us!
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. Must register new DraftKings account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to get 1 promo code to redeem 3-month NBA League Pass subscription, complimentary of DraftKings, and get max. $300 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours) and stake removed from payout. Token expires 11/23/25. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. NBA League Pass: Subscription auto-renews monthly at then-current price (currently $16.99/mo); cancel anytime. Terms, restrictions, and eligibility requirements apply. Redeem League Pass by 12/19/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Addt’l terms: https://support.watch.nba.com/hc/en-us/articles/9165532876183-League-Pass-Terms-of-Use_. Offer ends 11/16/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Fanatics
Fanatics Promo
Bet $50, Get $250 in FanCash
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TV, VA, VT, WV, WY. Must opt-in and wager $10+ cash on any market with odds of -500 or longer to receive $50 in FanCash each day for your first 5 days (issued when qualifying wager settles). Your 5 days begin the day you establish your account. See full Promo Terms and FanCash terms in the Fanatics Sportsbook app.
Barstool Promo
T&Cs apply
3.7/5
Latest Sport News
How Larry Bird and Magic Johnson Saved the NBA
The NBA stands today as a global entertainment ...
Top 10 Tennessee Men’s Basketball Players of All Time
The University of Tennessee boasts a proud and ...
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Michigan State Spartans Preview: Champions Classic Clas...
Two of college basketball’s most storied programs collide ...
Top-10 Running Backs in College Football History: Who was the Greatest?
Before diving into this list, one thing must ...
Jimmy Rayl: The Splendid Splinter of Indiana Hoosier Basketball
Few figures in Indiana basketball lore embody the ...
Top 5 Takeaways from Indiana’s Dominant Win Over Wisconsin
Indiana continues to send a loud message to ...
November 21, 1972 – Muhammad Ali and Bob Foster throw hands
Muhammad Ali returned to boxing in 1970. Ali ...
The Definitive Game Preview: No. 1 Houston Cougars vs. Auburn Tigers
The college basketball season tips off with a ...
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterMark LewisAuthor IconJohn RaspantiSamuel Teets
+4
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Author Icon
Christopher Carlson
Author
John Raspanti
John Raspanti
Author
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Daniel Kornhauser
Daniel Kornhauser
Author
Chris Benedict
Chris Benedict
Editor
Ellis Williams
Ellis Williams
Author
Shelley Harcar
Shelley Harcar
Sports Writer
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....
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 Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Our Favorite
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open BetMGM
Get Bonus
Bet365
Bet365 Promo
Bet $5 & Get $150
Best Slots
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open Bet365
Open Bet365
Caesars
Caesars Promo
Bet $1, Double your Winnings on your Next 20 Wagers. Up to $25 Max Bet Per Boost
Newcomer
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open Caesars
Get Bonus
×
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