The 20th century was an era marked by remarkable sporting achievements, especially in the world of boxing. It was a time when true legends emerged in the ring, whose names still evoke admiration and respect among fans of the sport today. Each of these outstanding boxers not only reached incredible heights in their careers but also left an indelible mark in the history of boxing, showcasing unique styles, unparalleled skill, and an unwavering will to win.
Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, and Mike Tyson – each in their own way embodied the ideal boxer, becoming a benchmark for generations to follow. In this article, we will explore the life and sports journeys of these great 20th-century boxers, who not only dominated their weight classes but also made invaluable contributions to the history of boxing. And for those looking to experience the thrill of competition, you can find an exciting range of casino games to enjoy at Slotozen login. With an extensive collection of casino games at your fingertips, from the classic allure of slot machines with their dazzling array of themes and jackpots to the strategic depths of poker where skill and luck meet in a high-stakes dance, there’s something for every type of player.
Joseph Louis Barrow
Born on May 13, 1914, in Lafayette, USA.
Participated in 27 championship fights.
Defended his title 25 times.
Held the world heavyweight champion title among professionals for 11 years and 8 months – from 1937 to 1949.
In 2003, Ring Magazine ranked Joe Louis first in the list of the 100 greatest boxers of all time.
In 2005, the Boxing Research Organization recognized him as the greatest boxer in history.
The most mysterious thing is that Louis never revealed his true potential, which was cleverly exploited by Blackburn. Jack forced his charge to enter the ring more often than was advisable, and each time the opponent turned out to be stronger than the last. These were not just pushovers. For instance, he knocked out former world champion Primo Carnera in the sixth round, a quick dispatch awaited another champion, Max Baer, and many other respected and titled fighters of that time. Before World War II, Corporal defended the absolute champion title 25 times, and practically no one could provide him with worthy resistance, except perhaps Max Schmeling, whom Joe simply underestimated.
Even now, years later, anyone with even a slight understanding of boxing utters the name of this warrior, who embodied an era, with reverent awe. After Louis, none of the greatest managed to hold their title for 11 years and 8 months. And Joe’s peak career stats – 98 kg with a height of 188 cm – are still considered ideal for heavyweight boxers by specialists.
Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay)
Born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, USA.
1960 Olympic champion in light heavyweight.
Multiple world champion among professionals (in 1964-1974) in heavyweight.
In 1999, Sports Illustrated and the BBC named Ali “Sportsman of the Century.”
Throughout his sports career, Ali never tired of entertaining the public with scandals.
If you have never seen Muhammad in the ring, even all the literature in the world will not give you a full picture of this God-gifted fighter. As unique as Cassius Clay’s mastery was, so scandalous was his character. You could hate him when he opened his mouth to psychologically terrorize the next opponent, but you forgave everything as soon as this guy appeared in the ring. His elegant style and legendary agility seemed like something out of a fairy tale at 97 kg and 192 cm tall. The phrase that circled the globe, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” couldn’t describe Ali – this genius of boxing – any better. A familiar policeman, Joe Martin, taught Cassius his first fighting skills after the boy, robbed by hooligans, turned to him. From Joe, Clay learned the fundamental truth: everything in boxing is decided by speed, and he developed this skill in a sufficiently harsh but effective way. In his yard, Cassius collected stones, and every morning his younger brother threw them at the determined guy. And this continued until the stones began to fly past.
Muhammad’s first defeat in March 1971 in New York was inflicted by master of his craft Joe Frazier, but another fight between these outstanding guys, known as the “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975, went down in the annals of boxing history. The typical fighter Frazier, known for his endurance, tried to wear out Ali to then easily finish him off. For a while, it seemed to everyone that Cassius would not hold out. But it turned out the other way around. With his passivity (simply walking around the ring, stopping Joe with his hand, and a few times even pressing himself into a corner), Muhammad morally exhausted the opponent. From the eighth round, Frazier’s defense began to fail, and from the 13th, it was an outright beating. This confrontation was the peak of both careers, with no such bright and thoughtful spectacle in Ali’s performance observed thereafter.
Around the age of 40, Ali faced another serious opponent – Parkinson’s disease – uncertain gait, trembling hands, incoherent speech… However, thanks to the incredible strength of character that carried Muhammad through a multitude of life’s upheavals, the boxer from God can boast of his small victories in this arena as well.
George Foreman
Born on January 10, 1949, in Marshall, USA.
1968 Olympic champion.
World champion in heavyweight: according to the WBC (1973-1974), according to the WBA (1973-1974 and 1994), according to the IBF (1994-1995).
In 1994, at the age of 45, he became the oldest boxer to win the world heavyweight champion title.
He became fond of boxing in a school for troubled teens, then decided to become a preacher, but still returned to big sports to prove that even in his forties, George Foreman could teach the young generation of fighters a lot. Few would dare such a feat, but Foreman always loved to surprise the audience.
For some, boxing awakens animal instincts, while for others, it turns them into humans. For example, regular training in the gym disciplined George, and in 1968 it led to a gold Olympic medal. Soon he rose to the professional ring and within six months achieved 13 victories. Good physical data, primarily tall stature, and strong hands earned Foreman the reputation of a tough and even cruel boxer. And the world eagerly awaited the meeting of this brute with another tough fighter, Joe Frazier, who at that time held the title of world champion.
Only the legendary Muhammad Ali could stop this 195-centimeter machine that swept away everything in its path. The meeting of the two monsters in 1974 in Zaire was called “Rumble in the Jungle”. Foreman lost in the second round and began to look at life differently. Another loss, three years later to Jimmy Young, awakened George’s desire to serve Christ.
The boxer left the sport. Became a preacher, built a church in Houston, began to travel around the country collecting donations. And so for ten years. Until shortly before turning forty, smiling sheepishly, he admitted that he once again wanted to try on the champion’s belt. Foreman defended his right to enter the ring through court. Having trained for a year and significantly losing weight, George returned to professional sports, winning 24 consecutive fights, all by knockout.
Mike Gerald Tyson
Born on June 30, 1966, in New York, USA.
World champion in heavyweight: according to the WBC (1986-1990 and 1996), according to the WBA (1987-1990), according to the IBF (1987-1990).
At the age of 20, he became the youngest world champion in heavyweight history.
For constant fights, Mike was sent to a closed school, where Bobby Stewart, a professional heavyweight with modest achievements, took the boy under his wing and brought him to the ring. At 13, the rising boxing star weighed 90 kg, had unusually developed musculature for his age, and Bobby decided to show the boy to legendary manager and coach Cus D’Amato. Seeing Tyson in action, the coach declared, “I think this is the new world heavyweight champion!” And in 1986 in Las Vegas, in the second round, Mike Tyson, previously overlooked in amateur sports, knocked out Trevor Berbick and became the youngest world champion according to the WBC.
Mike was a new kind of heavyweight. His predecessors relied only on punching power, but Iron Mike had in his arsenal also amazing technique, killer speed and incredible physique. His “pendulum” shuttle work was definitely a breakthrough and know-how for the super heavyweight division. The personal project of legendary trainer Casa D’Amato has become the perfect fighter-destroying machine.
At the start, Mike was so good that even former fighters in the person of Larry Holmes did not last long. That’s why Tyson easily broke the records for winning the championship belt – at the age of 20 he became the world champion, and at the age of 21 – the absolute champion. At the peak, no one could pick up the keys to this machine. He was so determined and indomitable that some fighters capitulated even before the fight. Andrzej Golota ran out of the ring after the second round. All because Mike Tyson was standing in front of him.
But, unfortunately, his passion for drugs, alcohol and girls spoilt Mike’s great career and sent him to jail. And unlike Floyd Mayweather, Tyson had no reliable rear guard to take care of his financial and social well-being. Instead, Mike had a greedy and odious promoter, Don King.