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Top 5 Punchers in Welterweight History

Publish Date: 05/09/2026
Fact checked by: Mark Lewis

Top 5

Today we will take a look at the hardest punchers in the history of the Welterweight division. Check out our guide to the best new betting sites if you want to bet on the fights this weekend.

5. Jose Napoles

In the 1960s, Cuba’s legendary banger held two distinguished titles and a lot of kayos. He defeated Curtis Cokes twice, vengeance on Billy Backus with a TKO and generally knocked out the men he didn’t knock out. His only blemishes were his move up to middleweight, losing to Carlos Monzon and the bout in which cuts stopped him. After that, Napoles retired but his opponent was dropped. This man held onto the World Welterweight Title for many years and against all odds, largely because of his power.

Video: Jose

Jose “Mantequilla” Napoles – Highlights & Knockouts

4. Felix Trinidad

Some people see Tito’s end as a bad thing. But it is important to remember that Tito only got into trouble after he gained weight. Felix Trinidad, a knockout artist, was a formidable opponent to several welterweight fighters right up until his final fight against Oscar de la Hoya at 147 pounds. Think about this: During Trinidad’s reign as welterweight, he knocked out or stopped every opponent except two. Both were skilled defensive technicians who fled into their shells and rode out the storm to survival: Pernell Whittaker and Hector Camacho. He defeated everybody else by knockout.

Video: Félix Trinidad - Man or Machine (Highlight Reel)

Félix Trinidad – Man or Machine (Highlight Reel)

3. Tommy Hearns

Tommy Hearns’ case is so solid that most people will ask, “Why is he only at #3?”. The truth is that he was not at welterweight very long. As WBA welterweight champion, he defeated Randy Shields and Pipino Cuevas. Hearns then lost the classic fight with Sugar Ray Leonard when he got stopped in the 14th round. Hearns was never again a welterweight fighter. Hearns was a renowned wrecker and would have torn apart the welterweights that emerged after the “Three Kings”, Leonard, Duran, and Hearns. But he didn’t. Hearns is still #3.

Video: Thomas Hearns - Highlight Reel

Thomas Hearns – Highlight Reel

2. Sugar Ray Leonard

Many boxing fans vastly underrated Leonard’s power. Just look at his knockout of Davey Green, which was one of the most devastating knockouts in boxing history. He also knocked out Thomas Hearns, stopped Benitez, and knocked out guys like Andy Price, who was a top-rated contender at the time. Yes Hearns power looks more impressive, but the list of men at welterweight that Leonard knocked out is more impressive than the men Hearns knocked out at welterweight.

Video: So Faaast! The Greatest EVER Combo Knockout Machine - Ray Leonard

So Faaast! The Greatest EVER Combo Knockout Machine – Ray Leonard

1. Sugar Ray Robinson

Robinson, the most famous fighter of all time, was the perfect example of the power technique. Robinson is a great example of how space, timing and leverage can be used in boxing matches. Robinson, weighing in at 147 lbs, was a formidable opponent. His Kayo Percentage is a mere 80% because he spent most of his career at middleweight. Robinson was so formidable at welterweight that few fighters could match him.

Video: TOP 10 SUGAR RAY ROBINSON KNOCKOUTS

TOP 10 SUGAR RAY ROBINSON KNOCKOUTS

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