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

Top 10 Most Controversial Boxers of all time

Publish Date: 05/08/2024
Fact checked by: Simon Briffa

Boxing is the home of controversy. It can be boxers, trainers, promoters, you name it and it’s controversial in boxing. So, this is a hard list to make with so many candidates.

Criteria

The criteria for this list is controversial, and that can take on many different meanings. It could be that the fighter was dirty or colorful, or maybe the fighter made many controversial decisions. The fighter may have done things outside of the ring that affected the way the public viewed him. Better yet, what if a fighter covered a few of these things all at once?

10. Naseem Hamed

As is often the case with controversial fighters, Naseem Hamed generated highly divergent opinions. Some saw him as an all-time great; for others, he was an unbearable showboat and fraud exposed by Marco Antonio Barrera.

Hamed was an impressive boxing player in his own right, an agile and explosive puncher who displayed skills no one else had witnessed, making him one of the top boxing stars during the 1990s.

Video: Amazing Boxer Whom Will Be Never Forgotten - Prince Naseem Hamed

Amazing Boxer Whom Will Be Never Forgotten – Prince Naseem Hamed

9. Andrew Golota

The Foul Pole was a supremely talented heavyweight who was his own worst enemy. He dominated Riddick Bowe twice but fouled his way to two losses. He froze against Lennox Lewis and beat Michael Grant but imploded at the end of the fight once again, coming up short, and looked scared and intimidated by Mike Tyson.

Golota was known for biting fighters when things were tough, and of course, He was the king of low blows. If only he had a brain, Golota might have been the heavyweight champion of the world.

Video: The scandalous confrontation of Riddick Bowe and Andrew Golota

The scandalous confrontation of Riddick Bowe and Andrew Golota

8. Edwin Valero

Valero was undefeated at the time of his death and had knocked everybody out he had faced.

The talent could not erase his demons, and Valero was arrested for assault on multiple occasions and eventually admitted to murdering his wife. While in Jail for the murder, he hanged himself. I think that Valero was a highly overrated fighter, his best win was over Antonio Demarco, so the competition was at a solid level, but to think that Valero was heading towards greatness seems like a significant over reach to me.

Valero ended his career undefeated, mainly because he died at a young age. So Valero ended his career with a zero at the end of his record. Where does Valero rank amongst fighters who finished their career undefeated?

Video: The DARKEST Story In Boxing!! - Edwin Valero

The DARKEST Story In Boxing!! – Edwin Valero

7. Abe Attell

Attell was an undisputed champion who knocked out more than 50 opponents during his career. But along the way, he developed a relationship with Arnold Rothstein – an influential organized crime figure  – leading him to be involved with one of the largest sports scandals of the 20th century – the 1919 Black Sox Affair.

Attell was charged alongside various White Sox players of conspiring with players to throw the World Series. Make no mistake, Attell was an all-time great fighter but outside of the ring, overshadowed inside the ring.

Video: Boxing History 101: Abe Attell A Complex Champion

Boxing History 101: Abe Attell A Complex Champion

6. Primo Carnera

Nat Fleischer in his book The Heavyweight Championship, mentions only that Jack Sharkey’s corner had complained of a loaded glove after their fighter was counted out in the sixth round after having led on paper.

Fleischer was one of the premier boxing writers of his era, yet he would be reluctant to make blanket accusations of fraud without extensive evidence. However, he did note unscrupulous handlers quickly exploited Carnera.

As Carnera would later suffer embarrassing losses against Max Baer and Joe Louis, his victory against Sharkey must count as one of the more spectacular upsets ever witnessed within this division–at minimum.

Video: Primo Carnera: The Heavyweight Prototype

Primo Carnera: The Heavyweight Prototype

5. Jake LaMotta

One of the toughest, most relentless fighters in boxing history. However, at one of his career peaks, he was embroiled in one of boxing’s most infamous fight-fixing scandals when he dropped a Round 4 TKO against Billy Fox and became embroiled in one of boxing’s most notorious scandals.

The movie Raging Bull did not do just as to what kind of man LaMotta truly was; he was much worse than the movie depicted! LaMotta was a tough SOB, but in all reality he was a terrible personwho was willing to do anything to get what he needed.

Video: Jake Lamotta Admits Taking a Dive in Boxing Match (June 14, 1960)

Jake Lamotta Admits Taking a Dive in Boxing Match (June 14, 1960)

4. Ike Ibeabuchi

Begore his career came tumbling to an end, his life devolved into chaos.

There was much money to be made off Ibeabuchi as a fighter, and his ultimate conviction indicates how desperately people tried to market him throughout his career.

Ibeabuchi was one of the most exciting heavyweights of the last 30 years. His 12-round war with David Tua set the record for punches thrown during a heavyweight contest.

Fan interest was so great following that victory that people around him were more than willing to overlook his clear signs of insanity when he displayed them; even after kidnapping one of his girlfriend’s 15-year-old sons and fleeing police authorities, promoters continued offering fights for him.

After assaulting another woman at a Las Vegas hotel in 1999, he was finally sentenced to prison – ending his career at 20-0 with 15 KOs.

Video: The Legendary Power and Tragedy of Ike Ibeabuchi

The Legendary Power and Tragedy of Ike Ibeabuchi

3. Jack Johnson

Johnson was the first Black Man to hold the World Heavyweight Championship, and because of that, today, in a politically correct world, Johnson has been raised up as a hero.

His violation of the Mann Act is often cited as Johnson being persecuted because of racism. The fact is overlooked that he did the crime, and yes many white men were arrested for the same crime back then. The Truth is that Johnson was a vile human being. Well, after his death, Jack Johnson was pardoned by President Trump, and Jack Johnson did not deserve that pardon.

Video: The Legendary Jack Johnson - A Look Back at His Iconic Career

The Legendary Jack Johnson – A Look Back at His Iconic Career

2. Mike Tyson

Tyson was frightening. He first made an impactful debut as a teenager just a few years after leaving juvenile detention, only for his fame to quickly dissipate as soon as he reached his early 20s.

Soon after losing to Buster Douglas in an upset bout in 1990, he was arrested and served three years in federal prison for rape charges. Once released in the mid-1990s, he briefly held on to part of the heavyweight title but could never quite regain its former strength.

Highlights of his post-prison career include biting Evander Holyfield’s ear, trying to break Frans Boths’a arm and wanting to eat Lennox Lewis children.

Video: Mike Tyson SAVAGE Moments!

Mike Tyson SAVAGE Moments!

1. Muhammad Ali

Ali’s decision to join the Nation of Islam during the Civil Rights era only fueled his already controversial persona.

At the height of his powers as a fighter, Muhammad Ali made headlines for defying the U.S. government by refusing to be drafted into the Vietnam conflict that he felt strongly against. He was stripped of all his titles and banned from competing again for this act.

He came close to jail time, with his case even reaching the Supreme Court. By standing against the Vietnam War, Ali became an iconic figure who transcended sports and made an indelible mark on American culture. Muhammad Ali was an iconic figure inside and outside of the ring.

Video: Muhammad Ali Refuses Induction, Opposing Vietnam War - April 28, 1967

Muhammad Ali Refuses Induction, Opposing Vietnam War – April 28, 1967

Read Also
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
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 ...
Bet365 Promo
Michael Nunn and Iran Barkley Discuss Their Bout, Bob Arum, and the Four Kings
Mountains to Climb, Pebbles in Your Shoe “I always say that was ...
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. ...
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 ...
The Twilight Rounds: Rod Serling explores the dark side of boxing – Round eight
Legend has it that Archie Moore was originally cast in the role ...
Top Brands
Top Bonuses
Real Prize
Real Prize
Real Prize Review
4.7/5
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.7/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.6/5
Clubs Casino
Clubs Casino
Clubs Casino Review
4.6/5
MegaBonanza
MegaBonanza
MegaBonanza Review
4.5/5
Spree
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Review
4.5/5
Ding Ding Ding
Ding Ding Ding
Ding Ding Ding Review
4.5/5
PlayFame
PlayFame
PlayFame Review
4.5/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.5/5
McLuck
4.5/5
Clubs Poker
Clubs Poker
Clubs Poker Review
4.5/5
Hello Millions
Hello Millions
Hello Millions Review
4.4/5
Sportzino
Sportzino
Sportzino Review
4.4/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Review
4.4/5
Jackpota
Jackpota
Jackpota Review
4.4/5
Zula Casino
Zula Casino
Zula Casino Review
4.4/5
Pulszbingo.com
Pulszbingo.com
Pulszbingo.com Review
4.4/5
Yay Casino
Yay Casino
Yay Casino Review
4.4/5
Pulsz.com
Pulsz.com
Pulsz.com Review
4.4/5
Vegas Gems
Vegas Gems
Vegas Gems Review
4.4/5
Funrize
4.4/5
TaoFortune
TaoFortune
TaoFortune Review
4.4/5
NoLimitCoins
NoLimitCoins
NoLimitCoins Review
4.4/5
Gambino Slots
Gambino Slots
Gambino Slots Review
4.4/5
MyPrize US
MyPrize US
MyPrize US Review
4.4/5
LuckyBird
LuckyBird
LuckyBird Review
4.4/5
Moonspin.us
Moonspin.us
Moonspin.us Review
4.3/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Review
4.3/5
Thrillzz
Thrillzz
Thrillzz Review
4.3/5
BetRivers.net
BetRivers.net
BetRivers.net Review
4.3/5
Skillz Games
Skillz Games
Skillz Games Review
4.3/5
Scrooge Casino
Scrooge Casino
Scrooge Casino Review
4.3/5
Club WPT
Club WPT Review
4.3/5
4.3/5
4.3/5
Scratchful
Scratchful Review
4.3/5
Betcoin Social
Betcoin Social Review
4.3/5
Real Prize
Real Prize Bonus
Up to 105 SC FREE + 575K Golden Coins + 1000 VIP Points
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
$55 Stake Cash + 260K Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Bonus
Get Up To 40 SC FREE + 200 Gold Coins and 100 Diamonds!
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Clubs Casino
Clubs Casino Bonus
100% Purchase Bonus, Spend $20 get a 200k GC and 40 SC Bonus
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
MegaBonanza
MegaBonanza Bonus
150% Purchase Offer: 25 SC FREE and 50K GC
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Spree
Spree Bonus
32.5 SC FREE and 1.03M Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Bonus
Claim Your Free 650,000 Gold Coins & 1,400 Fortune Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Ding Ding Ding
Ding Ding Ding Bonus
38 SC FREE and 2.6M Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
PlayFame
PlayFame Bonus
33 SC FREE and 90K Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
35 SC FREE and 1.75M WOW Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
McLuck
McLuck Bonus
27.5 SC FREE and 57.5K Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Clubs Poker
Clubs Poker Bonus
100% Purchase Bonus: Spend $20 Get a 200K GC and 40 SC Bonus
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Hello Millions
Hello Millions Bonus
27.5 SC FREE and 65K Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Sportzino
Sportzino Bonus
Get up to 7 SC FREE + 170,000 Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Bonus
33 SC FREE and 67,777 Lucky Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Jackpota
Jackpota Bonus
27.5 SC FREE and 57.5K Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Zula Casino
Zula Casino Bonus
10 SC + 120K Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Pulszbingo.com
Pulszbingo.com Bonus
5,000 Gold Coins + 2 Free Sweepstakes Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Yay Casino
Yay Casino Bonus
FREE 5 SC + 50K Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Pulsz.com
Pulsz.com Bonus
367,000 Gold Coins and 460 VIP Points
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Vegas Gems
Vegas Gems Bonus
1000 Gems + 50% Extra gems On Your First Shards Purchase
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Funrize
Funrize Bonus
3,600 SC FREE + 1.225 Million Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
TaoFortune
TaoFortune Bonus
3000 SC + 250K Tao Coin FREE
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
NoLimitCoins
NoLimitCoins Bonus
6000 SC FREE and 1.35 Million Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Gambino Slots
Gambino Slots Bonus
200 Free Spins + 500,000 Free G-Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
MyPrize US
MyPrize US Bonus
1 Sweeps Cash FREE and 1K Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
LuckyBird
LuckyBird Bonus
45 SC FREE + 451K GC + 10 Treasure Chest
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
Moonspin.us
Moonspin.us Bonus
3 Moon Coins FREE and 30K Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Bonus
250,000 Gold Coins + 500 FREE Sweeps Coins
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
Thrillzz
Thrillzz Bonus
100% match up to $25 in Coins + $3 Free Coins
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
BetRivers.net
BetRivers.net Bonus
250 FREE VIRTUAL CREDITS
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
Skillz Games
Skillz Games Bonus
$3 SWEEPSTAKES COUPONS + 3,000 COINS FOR FREE
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
Scrooge Casino
Scrooge Casino Bonus
2M Gold Coins + 500 Free SC
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
ClubGG Bonus
Check for available on-site offers
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
Modo.us Bonus
20K Gold Coins + 1 Sweepstakes Coin
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
Betcoin Social Bonus
2000 Gold Coins & 2 PBR Sweeps Coins
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterJosh SchwartzSimon BriffaMark LewisSamuel Teets
+8
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Author Icon
drjaygee
Editor
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 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 $200 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