Powered by:
as known from New York Timesas known from USA Todayas known from yahoo!
VA
Contains commercial content
The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Top 11 Featherweights in Boxing history

Top 11 Featherweights in Boxing history

Publish Date: 11/08/2023
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis

Top 11

The Featherweight division historically is much deeper than I expected.

11) Alexis Arguello

Alexis Arguello was a Nicaraguan-born professional boxer who competed from 1968 to 1995.

He was a world champion in three divisions and held world titles at featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight. He was the former lineal featherweight champion and held the WBA and The Ring featherweight titles.

Alexis Arguello retired as a boxer with a record of 77 wins, 8 losses.

Video: The Smiling Assassin of Boxing - Alexis Arguello

The Smiling Assassin of Boxing – Alexis Arguello

10) Juan Manel Marquez

Juan Manuel Marquez, Mexico’s Former professional boxer, was active from 1993 to 2014.

He won 9 major world titles over the course of his career in 4 weight classes. He was the WBA (Unified), IBF and WBO featherweight champions and briefly became the WBO interim champion. He held the WBC title at super-featherweight.

Juan Manuel Marquez retired as a champion with 56 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw.

9) Marco Antonio Barrera

Marco Antonio Barrera, a Mexican boxer, competed between 1989 and 2011.

He held three world titles in different weight classes throughout his boxing career. He was also the WBO junior featherweight champion and was the Ring Featherweight champion.

Marco Antonio Barrera retired as a professional boxer with 67 wins and 7 loss records.

Video: Marco Antonio Barrera - Baby Faced Assassin

Marco Antonio Barrera – Baby Faced Assassin

8) Eusebio Pedroza

Pedroza, a long-time titlist, managed 19 consecutive defenses of the WBA belt. This is a record for any version of the title. Pedroza could have been held responsible for not facing Sanchez in the few years their reigns were parallel. This could have had an impact on the final number. It is not sure that Sanchez would have won if they had faced off. It is a strong feat to have 19 title defenses.

Featherweight Titlists/Champions Faced – 4: (Cecilio Lastra, Ruben Olivares, Juan LaPorte, Barry McGuigan)

Video: Eusebio Pedroza - Amazing Reflexes (Defense Highlight)

Eusebio Pedroza – Amazing Reflexes (Defense Highlight)

7) Vicente Saldivar

Vicente Saldivar, a former Mexican-born boxer, is ranked 7th. He was active from 1961 to 1973.

Saldivar was a great southpaw fighter in the featherweight division. He also became the WBA and WBC featherweight champions, winning seven titles. Saldivar was also the undisputed world featherweight champion.

Saldivar retired as a boxer with a record of 37 wins and 3 losses.

Featherweight Titlists/Champions Faced – 7: (Sugar Ramos, Raul Rojas, Howard Winstone, Jose Legra, Johnny Famechon, Kuniaki Shibata, Eder Jofre)

Video: 5 Vicente Saldivar Greatest knockouts

5 Vicente Saldivar Greatest knockouts

6) Johnny Kilbane

Johnny Kilbane, a former American boxer, is listed at number 5. Kilbane, who was active from 1907 to 1923, remains the longest-reigning champion of the featherweight division.

He was the world featherweight champion and briefly held the NYSAC title. Kilbane retired with an unofficial record of 110 wins and 17 losses. He also had 15 draws and one no-contest.

Featherweight Titlists/Champions Faced – 3: (Abe Attell, Johnny Dundee, Eugene Criqui)

Video: Johnny Kilbane - Tribute to a Boxing Legend: By Neil Wall

Johnny Kilbane – Tribute to a Boxing Legend: By Neil Wall

 

5) Salvador Sanchez

Salvador Sanchez is a Mexican professional boxer who competed in the Featherweight division between 1975 and 1982.

He fought 46 featherweight fights over the course of his career. In 1980, he was crowned the WBC and Ring featherweight champion and had defended his titles nine times.

He died young at the age of 24 but already had a more complete career than most. He sometimes struggled with fighters he shouldn’t have but stepped up his game and rose to the level of the competition in front of him. Check out the best boxing sites.

He retired with a record of 44 wins and one loss, and a Draw.

Featherweight Titlists/Champions Faced – 4: (Danny Lopez, Juan LaPorte, Wilfredo Gomez, Azumah Nelson)

4) Henry Armstrong

Armstrong’s early struggles at Featherweight were mainly due to his inexperience, but so was the period that made him one of the most unbeatable fighters of all time. Armstrong was born Honey Melody Jackson in St. Louis and based in Los Angeles. A case could be made for Armstrong as the number one fighter in each division that he simultaneously held belts in.

Featherweight Titlists/Champions Faced – 4: (Baby Arizmendi, Mike Belloise, Benny Bass, Petey Sarron)

Video: The Greatest Infighter of All Time

The Greatest Infighter of All Time

3) Abe Attel

Abe Attell, an American boxer from the early 1900s, was one of the longest-reigning champions at featherweight.

He fought 154 times between 1900 and 1917. After winning the title of world featherweight champion, Abe Atell was able to defend it 20 times.

Atell retired with an unofficial record of 110 wins and 17 losses, 25 draws and 2 no-contests.

Featherweight Titlists/Champions Faced – 2: (George Dixon, Johnny Kilbane)

Video: The Fighting Times of Abe Attell

The Fighting Times of Abe Attell

2) Sandy Saddler

Sandy Saddler was an American Boxer who was active from 1944 to 1956.

Saddler was twice crowned world featherweight champion and held the undisputed world title from 1950 to 1957. He also defended the undisputed title twice.

Saddler retired with a record 144 wins, 16 losses, and 1 draw

Featherweight Titlists/Champions Faced – 2: (Phil Terranova, Willie Pep)

Video: Sandy Saddler - Hardest Punching Featherweight

Sandy Saddler – Hardest Punching Featherweight

1) Willie Pep

Number one is Willie Pep. He is well-known as one of the greatest boxers of all time and is primarily known for his footwork and defensive abilities.

He competed between 1940 and 1966. He competed at featherweight throughout his entire career, which spanned 241 bouts.

He retired with a record of 229 wins, and 11 losses.

Featherweight Titlists/Champions Faced – 7: (Joey Archibald, Chalky Wright, Sal Bartolo, Jackie Wilson, Phil Terranova, Sandy Saddler, Hogan Bassey)

Video: Willie Pep Highlight Tape

Willie Pep Highlight Tape

Honorable Mentions

Manny Pacquiao

Kid Chocolate

George Dixon

Tony Canzoneri

Read Also
Ranking the top 18 Boxing Matches that never happened since 1970
Unfortunately, Boxing has failed to deliver a ton of what would have ...
Top 17 Latino Boxers of All Time
Ranking the top Latino boxers of all time is not an easy ...
BetMGM Promo
Top 18 Greatest College Football Coaches of All-time
Current active coaches are not included in this list. That means don't ...
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
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 ...
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 ...
The Forgotten Canadian Champion (And Maybe It’s Deserved): Billy Hawkins
As Mike Goodpaster and I prepare our popular Old-Time Boxing Show podcast, ...
The Army Boxer Who Knocked-Down Muhammad Ali (1960)
I had wanted to write a boxing story about Junebug Hudson for ...
Social Casino of the month
Stake.us - Sign up now! Sign up now!
Top Brands
Top Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Review
4.5/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Bonus
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Bonus
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Bonus
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Latest News
Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis: Talking All That Jazz  
The back and forth between the fighters and ...
Top 10 NFL Play by Play Broadcasters of All Time
This list will be National Guys, so no ...
Top-10 Indiana High School Basketball Teams of All-Time
Of course, nothing was better than Hoosier Hysteria, ...
Betting Tips
12/09/2023 - 3:00 pm
Gillett Stadium
Tip:
Navy to Cover
3.00
FanDuel
12/07/2023 - 8:15 pm
Acrisure
Tip:
Patriots to Cover
6.00
FanDuel
12/05/2023 - 9:00 pm
Chrysler
Tip:
Indiana to Cover
7.50
FanDuel
Our Latest YouTube Videos
Video: Indiana Basketball weekly W/Steve Risley: IU/Harvard Preview and UCONN and Louisville Recaps!
Indiana Basketball weekly W/Steve Risley: IU/Harvard Preview and UCONN and Louisville Recaps!
Video: #NFC East Clash - #Eagles at #Cowboys
#NFC East Clash - #Eagles at #Cowboys
Video: NFL *Betting* Show*: Week 14 Picking all games against the spread!
NFL *Betting* Show*: Week 14 Picking all games against the spread!
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now!
-
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....
Top Online Casinos
Top Casinos Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Review
4.5/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Bonus
25 SCs extra free on first purchases + 2 SCs FREE to claim
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Bonus
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Bonus
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.6/5
FanDuel
FanDuel
FanDuel Review
4.6/5
BetMGM
BetMGM
BetMGM Review
4.5/5
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Review
4.5/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Bonus
Bet $5 Get $150 Instantly
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
FanDuel
FanDuel Bonus
Bet $5 Get $150 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
$1000 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Place your first cash bet up to $1,000, and if the bet loses, you will have your wager refunded in Bonus Bets. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars
Caesars Bonus
100% up to $1000
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterAuthor IconJosh SchwartzSamuel TeetsSimon Briffa
+10
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Author Icon
Christopher Carlson
Content Writer
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Chris Benedict
Chris Benedict
Editor
Author Icon
Daniel Kornhauser
Author
John Raspanti
John Raspanti
Author
Author Icon
Malik Zorrok
Author
Author Icon
Buddy Gibbs
Author
Brian Coburn
Brian Coburn
Author
aukje
aukje
Author
Peter Bonahoom
Peter Bonahoom
Author
berina
berina
Author
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

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.

21+NCPG
Move to Top
Close
Players accepted in the US US Flag
Stake.us Exclusive Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Promo Code
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Payment Methods
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
Dogecoin
Highlights
  • Exclusive promo code: TGTSOCIAL
  • Play Plinko, Hilo, Crash and more!
  • Get Stake Cash bonuses every day!
Stake Originals
Dice
Crash
Plinko
Mines
×
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:
Visit Site