Best UK boxers of all time

Ready to throw a punch down memory lane? Let’s lace up our gloves and sit ringside to remember the greatest to ever do it. From Gypsy Kings and heavyweight heroes who ruled the world to featherweight champions dancing around their opponents and captivating the hearts of fans, the United Kingdom has one of the richest histories of boxing greatness. Whether you’re a fan of fast jabs, tactical ingenuity or fancy lights-out knockout blows that sent shockwaves around the globe, let’s recap the best UK male and female boxers of all time. 

10. Chantelle Cameron

• Birthdate: May 14, 1991
• Weight Category: Super Lightweight
• Professional Record: 18 wins (8 KOs), 1 loss, 

Chantelle Cameron, hailing from Northampton, UK, is a pure force in women’s boxing. Known for her sharp jabs and powerful combo strikers, Cameron is one of the heaviest hitters anywhere on the globe.

She first captured global attention in 2020 by securing the super lightweight title in the WBC women’s category. She quickly solidified her status as a great in a relatively new and rapidly growing sport. The Northampton native made British boxing history in 2022 by becoming the undisputed women’s super lightweight champion after she won by Unanimous Decision over Jessica McCaskill. This win marked her as the first British woman to hold such an honour. 

In terms of fighting, she combines strong punching with brilliant tactics. A worthwhile thing to note is her ongoing title belt rivalry against “KT” – Ireland’s Katie Taylor.

9. David Haye

• Birthdate: October 13, 1980
• Weight Categories: Cruiserweight, Heavyweight
• Professional Record: 28 wins (26 KOs), 4 losses 

David Haye was arguably the biggest name in the UK boxing world for about 6 to 7 years. The exciting London native was known for his exceptional power and speed, winning a staggering 26 out of 28 bouts by way of KO or TKO. 

Even though he started his professional career in the cruiserweight division, Haye quickly climbed the ranks, eventually moving up to heavyweight, continuing his dominance. In boxing, moving up is considered one of the most difficult things. It would’ve been a pleasure to rank Mr Haye higher, but his loss against Wladimir Klitschko in 2011 marked the start of the fighter’s downfall. He finished his career with two heartfelt losses by TKO to Tony Bellew. It’s a hell of a resume overall, but just not enough to climb to the GOAT tier.

It is worth mentioning that he won the unified cruiserweight world title in 2008 and the WBA heavyweight title in 2009. Haye’s ability to engage in exciting fights and come out winner by KO or TKO, coupled with his charismatic personality, made him a fan favourite.

8. Anthony Joshua

• Birthdate: October 15, 1989
• Weight Category: Heavyweight
• Professional Record: 28 wins (25 KOs), 3 losses

Anthony Joshua, often known as “AJ,” is a 6’6 former British boxing sensation turned seasoned veteran. The professional from Watford packs a serious punch. For most of his career, especially in the beginning, he had enough presence and explosiveness to overpower opponents en route to a 22-0 record. However, results since then (6W-3L) have brought both amazing highs and devastating lows to his fanbase. 

Joshua first grabbed global attention by winning an Olympic gold medal in 2012, which he followed up by capturing the IBF title in 2016 after knocking out Charles Martin in the 2nd round. Known for his resilience and strategic fighting style, Joshua has battled against every single top-tier boxer in the heavyweight category. He won a thrilling bout deemed Fight of the Year vs Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 to become listed among the greats. 

However, an unexpected loss vs Andy Ruiz Jr. (despite the rematch win) and losing two in a row against Usyk showed that even though he is must-see TV, Joshua is definitely not invincible. Let’s hope the UK fans still have more amazing performances to witness.

7. Ken Buchanan

• Birthdate: June 28, 1945 (died on April 1, 2023)
• Weight Category: Lightweight
• Professional Record: 61 wins (27 KOs), 8 losses

We couldn’t possibly forget the Fighting Carpenter – Scotsman Ken Buchanan. Even 44 years after his last victory, Buchanan is still fondly remembered by boxing experts and casual fans. At his peak, in the 1970s, he was probably the best lightweight boxer globally. Ken Buchanan had amazing endurance and flawless technique. His most celebrated moment came when he won the WBA lightweight title in 1970 after a hard-fought victory over Ismael Laguna in Puerto Rico. Even though he went out on 4 straight losses, having 61 wins under your belt is something no boxer has been able to match since.

6. Ricky Hatton

• Birthdate: October 6, 1978
• Weight Categories: Light Welterweight, Welterweight
• Professional Record: 45 wins (32 KOs), 3 losses

The Hitman was true to his name, racking 32 knockouts through his 15 years of professional boxing fights. Fans loved and celebrated him for his aggressive fighting style and body punching. His peak years in the ring saw him claim multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the IBF and WBA Light Welterweight titles. 

Hatton’s most memorable bout probably happened in 2005 when he defeated Kostya Tszyu for the IBF Light Welterweight title, which catapulted him into the global spotlight. Besides the dramatic bouts that the Briton won, his legacy is stained by painful losses to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and the Pacman for WBC and IBO belts. 

5. John “Jack” Broughton

• Birthdate: Circa 1703 (died January 8, 1789)
• Weight Category: N/A
• Professional Record: N/A, but claims state he went undefeated for 24 years

The Mack Daddy of boxing and one of the people responsible for boxing being as big and having the rules that it does know, John Broughton is often called the Father of English Boxing, and he cannot be left out of the list of best UK boxers. What started out as a hobby or necessity in fighting against fellow watermen turned out to be the activity that made him into a legend. 

He lived in London and had most of his fights there. Back then, there were no precise written rules, and men fought bare-knuckle. Broughton introduced the first set of rules to the sport, helping transform bare-knuckle brawling into a more regulated competition. He is credited for introducing the early versions of modern boxing gloves. He called them mufflers. They were designed to protect fighters’ hands and make a fight more like a sport rather than a perpetual, excessive danger of injury. 

4. Naseem Hamed

• Birthdate: February 12, 1974
• Weight Category: Bantamweight, Super-bantamweight, Featherweight
• Professional Record: 36 wins (31 KOs), 1 loss

Naseem Hamed, also known as Prince Naseem, was one-of-a-kind. A different breed. He was as successful as he was dazzling to look at. Some people loved how he moved; others hated his guts and constantly claimed he was making a mockery of the sport. Despite the naysayers, Naseem, a child of Yemeni emigrants, racked up 36 victories over 10 years.

He’s best known for his highlights, but people often forget that he turned professional at 18 and quickly made a name for himself with his unique southpaw style. Yet, unforgettable, themed ring entrances are hard to forget.

Despite a near-perfect record, he has a professional loss, yet just the one, so we know that stings. It came against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2001. Funnily enough, it was his second-to-last pro fight ever. The champion retired on a high in 2002 at the age of 28, winning against Manuel Calvo for the IBO featherweight belt.

3. Tyson Fury

• Birthdate: August 12, 1988
• Weight Category: Heavyweight
• Professional Record: 31 wins (22 KOs), 0 losses, 1 draw

When a personality is just as big as the man, it’s easy to understand why Tyson Fury is a UK fan favourite. Even though he still has plenty left in the tank, the Gypsy King has not fought Anthony Joshua – a fight people have been eager to see. Famous for his unathlete-like physique and extremely strong punching, Tyson Fury has been unbeatable all his career, with the only draw coming to Deontay Wilder in 2018. However, he later defeated the American two times in a row, so redemption was achieved.

Let’s see if he can ever topple the two people we ranked above him, but Fury is undoubtedly one of the best UK boxers ever.

2. Lennox Lewis

• Birthdate: 2 September, 1965
• Weight Category: Heavyweight
• Professional Record: 41 wins (32 KOs), 2 losses, 1 draw

Lennox Claudius Lewis. The name is so revered by the best heavyweights of the 90s and early 2000s. Nicknamed ‘The Lion”, the 6’5 tall Briton terrorised every opponent he faced. His first success came in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where the man won a gold medal.

Even though the list is very competitive, no one in their right mind could put Lennox Lewis anywhere lower solely because of the way he finished his career. The boxer won three fights at 36 and 37 years old before retiring. 

• KO on an older, yet still capable Iron Mike on the 8th of June, 2002

• KO in the 4th round against a tough challenger, Hasim Rahman, on 17th of November, 2001

• TKO against the rising superstar Vitali Klitschko in 2003.

1. Joe Calzaghe

• Birthdate: 23 March, 1972
• Weight Category: Supper-middleweight, Light-heavyweight
• Professional Record: 46 wins (32 KOs), 0 losses

Our top spot is dedicated to the Pride of Wales. He never lost and defeated the likes of Roy Jones Jr. en route to becoming the best pound-for-pound UK boxer of the modern era and possibly ever. If you saw his fights, speed and combo punching of the Welshman would’ve caught your eye. If you fancy statistics, the fact that he held the WBO’s supper-middleweight title for over a decade with 21 title defences is something that is enough to put him atop the list. Calzaghe retired undefeated in 2008.