Top Multi-Division Boxing Champs

SI Staff | May 5, 2009

Top Multi-Division Boxing Champs /

Top Multi-Division Boxing Champs

Manny Paquiao

With his stunning, second-round KO of 140-pound champ Ricky Hatton on Saturday (pictured), Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao became the second boxer in history to secure titles in six weight divisions (flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and junior welterweight). The only other to do so: Oscar De La Hoya, who ended his storied career after getting pummeled by Pacquiao last December. Here's a look at some other multi-divisional champs in history.

Oscar De La Hoya

"The Golden Boy" was one of the most feared fighters and is the most lucrative fighter to date. He knocked out 17 world champions and won 10 world titles, from super featherweight (his first belt, against Jimmy Bredahl, top) to middleweight (his last title, against Felix Strum, bottom). The Olympic gold medalist closed his career with a 39-6 record, with 30 wins by way of knockout.

Sugar Ray Leonard

In his 20-year professional career, "Sugar" compiled an astounding 36-3-1 record (25 KOs) while defeating the likes of Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler (black trunks). Leonard earned world titles at light heavyweight, super middleweight, middleweight, junior middleweight and welterweight. In 1981, after he claimed his second world title, Leonard was named SI's "Sportsman of the Year."

Thomas Hearns

With a destructive right hand and the ability to knock out an opponent like no other, "The Hitman" Hearns became the first boxer to claim world titles in four divisions and in five divisions. The knockout king reigned atop the welterweight, super welterweight, light heavyweight, middleweight and super middlweight.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

When he retired in 2007, Floyd Mayweather Jr. finished with a flawless 39-0 record (25 KOs), while also reigning atop the 130-,135-, 140-, 147- and 154-pound divisions. Luckily for fight fans, "Money May" announced he'll be returning to the ring in July to take on Juan Manuel Marquez.

Roberto Duran

The Panamanian nicknamed "Manos de Piedra," or "Hands of Stone," is widely considered to be one of the greatest fighters of the past century. His 103-16 record, with 70 KOs, puts him in an elite boxing arena, while his four divisional titles -- lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight -- clearly make Duran (shown defeating "Sugar" Ray Leonard in their first meeting in Montreal) among the most dominant boxers ever.

Pernell Whitaker

"Sweet Pea's" 40-4-1 record, with 17 KOs, only portray a fraction of his power in the ring. Whitaker claimed Olympic gold as lightweight at the 1984 Games, won 201 of his 214 amateur bouts (though he claims he fought and won many more) and became world champion in four weight divisions -- lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight and light middleweight.

Roy Jones Jr.

Though he's remembered of late for getting peppered with punches from Joe Calzaghe at Madison Square Garden, Roy Jones Jr. will always be regarded as one of the top brawlers. His 53-5 record, with 39 KOs, includes world championships at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight, which he earned byr defeating John Ruiz in 2003.

Leo Gamez

Gamez made history in becoming the first flyweight to secure titles in four divisions: minimum weight, light flyweight, flyweight and super flyweight. He retired with a 35-12-1 record, with 26 KOs.

Henry Armstrong

From 1931 to '45, Henry Armstrong acquired a massive 151-21 record, with 101 knockouts. But even more staggering were his three world titles in different weight classes -- featherweight, welterweight and lightweight -- all of which he held at the same time. While his trio may appear to pale in comparison to Pacquiao's and De La Hoya's sextuplet, Armstrong's titles came when there were only eight weight divisions, instead of today's 16. In fact, many boxing experts credit Armstrong as the greatest multi-division champion in history.<br><br>Send comments to siwriters@simail.com.

Published May 5, 2009

SI STAFF