On Saturday, fighting fans saw the downfall of one of the most hyped-up undefeated fighters ever. Tyson Fury lost via unanimous decision to Oleksandr Usyk (22-0), losing the WBC heavyweight championship in the process. As a result, he also lost his unbeaten record, falling to 34-1-1.
With Fury no longer a part of the undefeated club, here are some of the best undefeated fighters in both the UFC and boxing history. These fighters did what Fury couldn’t do and maintained the ultimate accolade in their careers. Nobody could touch these undefeated legends if they tried, with their foes suffering.
Khabib Nurmagomedov
In the UFC, there’s no fighter to go to other than Khabib Nurmagomedov (30-0). The legendary Russian fighter has made a living implementing a full-on assault on his opponents. That comes with calculated powerful strikes and insane submission maneuvers.
Take your pick from Khabib Nurmagomedov’s numerous victims. Whether it’s Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, or Dustin Poirier, the Russian fighter has conquered them all. Along the way, he became the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion of all time, cementing himself as one of the greatest MMA fighters ever.
Now, Khabib is coaching UFC superstars like the current UFC Lightweight Champion, Islam Makhachev (25-1). Still, the legendary heavyweight is impacting the sport in a positive light, helping others become incredible champions.
Rocky Marciano
Perhaps the Khabib Nurmagomedov of his time (and boxing), Rocky Marciano dominated the sport during his heyday. The decorated fighter from Brockton, Massachusetts, is well-known for being the only heavyweight to finish his career undefeated. Marciano had everything, from unmatched stamina to an unbreakable chin. On top of that, he’s stopped every fighter he’s faced during his career. With a knockout-to-win percentage of 87.8%, it’s one of the highest percentages in the entire sport.
Finishing 49-0 with 43 KOs doesn’t come easy, though. Marciano defeated foes such as Roland La Starza and Joe Louis, establishing himself as a legendary heavyweight boxer. His undefeated run is one of the sport’s most remarkable runs, which is something that even fighters like Muhammad Ali haven’t touched.
Joe Calzaghe
Another undefeated boxer was Joe Calzaghe (46-0), who made his living by playing a more technical style. The “Pride of Wales” relied more on technique and quick movements to defeat his foes. In turn, they’d tire out, leaving Calzaghe as the victor. During his illustrious career, the Welsh boxer had 32 knockouts.
His list of defeated boxers includes Chris Eubank, Bernard Hopkins, and Roy Jones Jr. Calzaghe is well-known for achieving success in different weight classes, winning numerous titles along the way. That includes The Ring light-heavyweight championship and the WBO super middleweight championship.
Normally, great fighters like Joe Frazier and Oscar De La Hoya will be brought up, mainly for their contributions to the sport. However, the “Pride of Wales” deserves some love, especially with his undefeated run. After all, taking down the likes of Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. deserves some love.
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