Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
The 25 best pound-for-pound movie boxers
MovieStillsDB

The 25 best pound-for-pound movie boxers

Boxing movies made a comeback over the past few years, injecting new fighters into the fake pugilistic universe. How do the best fighters from this extensive archive of films stack up, pound for pound? It's a borderline impossible question, but here is an attempt to answer it. (Note: Biographies and documentaries are not eligible. Fictional fighters only.) 

 
1 of 26

Diana Guzman

Diana Guzman
Getty Images

As the only amateur on this list, Guzman's inclusion requires some extrapolation. Michelle Rodriguez's debut — 2000's "Girlfight" — set the actress on course to play numerous tough-girl roles. This brooding teen showed immense promise. Guzman advanced to the finals of a regional tournament and defeated a boy, her boyfriend, to win it. She was going on to bigger and better things. And while it should not matter when assessing Guzman's potential, Rodriguez pulling off staggering upsets over then-MMA stalwarts Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano (twice) in consecutive "Fast" movies cannot just be ignored.

 
2 of 26

Jimmy Kane

Jimmy Kane
Getty Images

James Cagney did multiple boxing movies in an eight-year span, the first being 1932's "Winner Take All." Kane is a lightweight contender who undergoes a strange in-ring metamorphosis. The second of Kane's two love interests influences him to undergo plastic surgery on his nose and one ear. To protect the new features, Kane decides to dance away from contact — to the dismay of fight-goers. He reverses course upon learning said love interest is leaving town mid-fight, winning by quick knockout to follow her in a proposal attempt/twist ending. This isn't uninteresting. 

 
3 of 26

Kid Galahad

Kid Galahad
Getty Images

One of many early-20th-century boxing movies involving the mob or seedy promoters, 1937's "Kid Galahad" features a bellhop blossoming into a heavyweight champ. The movie's boxing does not age well, but well-meaning Ward "Kid Galahad" Guisenberry mounts a considerable climb to the top. He overcomes purposely bad corner advice from his mob-affiliated trainer —- boxing matters were rarely on the up-and-up in this era — and multiple first-round knockdowns to KO champion Chuck McGraw, whom the audience becomes acquainted with after he drunkenly shoves Bette Davis. 

 
4 of 26

Damian Anderson

Damian Anderson
Getty Images

It is safe to say Anderson would have been a more refined product had he avoided a lengthy prison term. The ex-Golden Gloves champ was ticketed for stardom. "Dame" also made a comically unrealistic jump in line, becoming the Felix Chavez replacement opponent without a pro fight on his resume. In that bout, Anderson offered ruggedness to overpower a miscast foe. Ex-Terence Crawford opponent Jose Benavidez fights at 154 pounds ... just a bit shy of heavyweight range. That certainly shows onscreen. Anderson going toe-to-toe with Adonis Creed elevates his stock more, though the ex-amateur star really should have stalled that mega-fight to pad his record (1-1).

 
5 of 26

Luther Shaw

Luther Shaw
Getty Images

Omar Epps has played a boxer, running back, centerfielder, combo guard and sprinter in a decorated sports-movie career. The most recent role was Shaw, a middleweight prospect discovered by pioneer manager Jackie Kallen in 2004's "Against the Ropes." (Kallen's name is used, but Shaw is fictionalized.) Kallen managed celebrated champions Thomas Hearns and James Toney; Shaw is closer to the Toney arc. Shaw receives a premature middleweight title chance against a dirty opponent and prevails in a capable in-ring showing. Though the movie underwhelms, Epps hitting his fifth sport cannot be overlooked.

 
6 of 26

Marvin Shabazz

Marvin Shabazz
Getty Images

While Samuel L. Jackson's Don King-heisted character sets up a race-fueled mismatch between his unbeaten heavyweight champion and the one man who beat him as an amateur in 1996's "The Great White Hype," the top challenger — Shabazz — must wait. James Roper chides Shabazz throughout, and the No. 1 contender insists the champ's record is fraudulent. This comes to a head in a postfight skirmish after Roper dispatches "Irish" Terry Conklin. Although Shabazz — in a light blue suit — got the better of a brief exchange, he cannot reasonably outrank the champ based on the information we have.

 
7 of 26

Viktor Drago

Viktor Drago
Getty Images

Ivan Drago's overly muscular (for a boxer) son warrants inclusion. The 245-pound menace's third-round knockout -- which became a disqualification after a comically unnecessary extra head shot -- of heavyweight champ Adonis Creed was probably the most intense "Rocky"-universe beating (aside from possibly their fathers' ballroom mismatch). Despite 2018's "Creed II" giving an unpolished Viktor an invincibility aura, the Ukrainian's lack of refinement shows up in Creed-Drago II. With Ivan in his corner, however, Viktor profiles as a player in this timeline's heavyweight division.

 
8 of 26

Tommy Gunn

Tommy Gunn
Getty Images

Look, "Rocky V" is obviously not good. But are we just ignoring a rising champion? Even after Gunn lost the slightly underappreciated street fight with ex-mentor Rocky Balboa, he was still the champ. Previous beltholder Union Kane, whom sportswriters vehemently insisted in an unusually tense postfight press conference lacked legitimacy since he did not beat Balboa, was no match for Gunn. Plus, Tommy Morrison was then a prospect who would go on to beat George Foreman. Given a better buildup than Viktor Drago, Gunn — the youngest heavyweight champion, as of the 1990 "Rocky" universe — may have had a title reign ahead.

 
9 of 26

"Honey" Roy Palmer

"Honey" Roy Palmer
Getty Images

Louis Gossett Jr. was 56 when "Diggstown" premiered in 1992, but this ranking will grade partially on Palmer's one-loss career. Tabbed as an underrated heavyweight when we catch up with him in a small southeastern town 20 years into retirement, Palmer is the centerpiece of one of the most original sports-movie plots. He must defeat 10 fighters in a 24-hour period to win a seismic bet. Palmer runs into a rigged game as the night wears on and must beat the only fighter who bested him as a pro, a bulkier Hammerhead Hagan, but shows versatility at an advanced age. (This actor, Willie Green, is 30 years Gossett's junior.)

 
10 of 26

Billy Hope

Billy Hope
Getty Images

Playing a role meant for Eminem, Jake Gyllenhaal steps in as Hope — an undisputed light heavyweight champion known more for Arturo Gatti-esque action sequences than ring generalship. Despite "Creed" making "Southpaw" 2015's second-best movie about a 175-pound fighter, Hope's tenacity — and greater devotion to avoiding contact as this triumph-over-tragedy film progresses — would have kept him in fights with the other light heavies on this list. Though, disciplined fighters would have preyed on the reckless style Hope used to build his legacy.

 
11 of 26

Maggie Fitzgerald

Maggie Fitzgerald
Getty Images

A late-blooming talent with devastating knockout power, the "Million Dollar Baby" phenom became an attraction on multiple continents. Beginning her career at a lower weight, Fitzgerald moved into the welterweight ranks and was getting the better of the menacing Billie "The Blue Bear" Osterman during a 147-pound title match in the Oscar-winning 2004 film. While Fitzgerald's prime was taken away, potential must be accounted for in this case. This southpaw fighter's mid-30s could have been something special, as she attempted to traverse a Bernard Hopkins-esque (sans-prison) career arc. 

 
12 of 26

Midge Kelly

Midge Kelly
Getty Images

Perhaps the least likable character on a list that includes criminals, Kelly climbs to glory in 1949's "Champion." Kirk Douglas' Kelly vaults from nothing to become the best in the game, navigating (of course) mob influence. He's a beloved boxing figure but becomes involved with his manager's wife, rapes another woman and knocks out her boyfriend in the locker room before a title fight. But Kelly holds the middleweight belt for a while and finishes the movie with a final-round knockout of a longtime rival who'd floored him twice. This dark film garnered Douglas an Oscar nomination, and Kelly's boxing career warrants inclusion.

 
13 of 26

Billie "The Blue Bear" Osterman

Billie "The Blue Bear" Osterman
Getty Images

Were this a list of sports-movie heels, the WBA welterweight champion in "Million Dollar Baby" would have a great case for No. 1. Osterman, played by real-life unbeaten boxer and kickboxer Lucia Rijker, delivered an intimidating ring walk and was an athletic marvel. The muscular ex-working girl, though, was an unnecessarily cartoonish character, resorting to laughably dirty tactics in nearly every scene. Fitzgerald was winning the 147-pound clash in Las Vegas prior to an unspeakable incident, but her German foe likely entered the ring that night as a highly regarded pound-for-pound fighter.

 
14 of 26

James Roper

James Roper
Getty Images

Running his record to 38-0 (34 KOs) in 1996's "The Great White Hype," Roper sees his legitimacy questioned — particularly by ducked contender Marvin Shabazz and his manager, a pre-big-things Jamie Foxx — after another easy victory. Instead of silencing critics and accepting Shabazz's challenge, Damon Wayans — amid a two-sports-movie 1996, following "Celtic Pride" — sees his character thrust into a Larry Holmes-Gerry Cooney callback. Promoter Fred Sultan (Samuel L. Jackson) finds Terry Conklin out of obscurity, and Roper demolishes him. (Cooney held on for much longer than Conklin.) The Shabazz what-if docks Roper, however.

 
15 of 26

Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler

Danny "Stuntman" Wheeler
Getty Images

Though Wheeler's career path is murky, his skills are undeniable. Given a lofty pedigree in being portrayed by unbeaten 168- and 175-pound champion Andre Ward, Wheeler is set to fight Ricky Conlan in what "Creed" deems a showdown between the Nos. 1 and 2 pound-for-pound fighters. That ultimately nixed bout was to be at light heavyweight, but by "Creed II," Wheeler holds a heavyweight belt. Years after humbling an unpolished Adonis Creed in a sparring session, a 35-year-old Wheeler later drops his belt to the rising 28-year-old challenger. But Wheeler (33-1) claiming light heavy and heavyweight titles is a rare accomplishment.

 
16 of 26

Adonis Creed

Adonis Creed
Getty Images

Creed vaults several spots from this list's initial incarnation, following his heavyweight years. After receiving a Vasiliy Lomachenko-esque fast pass to title fights (thanks to his surname's ticket-selling credentials), Creed uses a decision loss against light heavyweight superstar Ricky Conlan as a springboard to a heavyweight title. Creed's fights delivering a badly needed update in "Rocky"-movie ring craft, Michael B. Jordan's character gains nearly 40 pounds between "Creed" and "Creed II" and varied his style to outbox two rivals. That said, the 27-1 fighter's biggest wins came against aging opposition (Wheeler, Conlan) or unseasoned pros (Drago, Anderson), leaving some Floyd Mayweather Jr.-like resume holes.

 
17 of 26

Mason Dixon

Mason Dixon
Getty Images

A creative way to introduce an opponent came in 2006's "Rocky Balboa," when an ESPN simulated fight predicated Balboa would prevail in a prime-vs.-prime matchup with Mason "The Line" Dixon. (In a universe previously so on-point with fighter names, this was a bizarre misstep.) Receiving skepticism about his 33-0 record due to presiding over a weak heavyweight era, Dixon agrees to fight a long-retired Balboa. This bout ending in a split decision, despite the younger southpaw's broken hand, hurts Dixon's case. It also hurt Antonio Tarver's standing. Then 35, the 175-pound kingpin was never the same after portraying Dixon. 

 
18 of 26

Kelly Robinson

Kelly Robinson
Getty Images

Despite being 41 and far removed from his cinematic peak, Eddie Murphy pulls off this Prince Naseem Hamed/Floyd Mayweather Jr. hybrid (and this was before Mayweather's "Money" shtick, so Murphy's role in 2002's "I Spy" may have inspired him). Fighting twice in a week, Robinson ends the movie at 58-0. He beats you over the head with his record like Mayweather and gives fans grand entrances like Hamed. The spry actor also gave early-aughts boxing fans a nice surprise, portraying a champion in one of the sport's lesser-discussed divisions: 168-pound super middleweight.

 
19 of 26

Charley Davis

Charley Davis
Getty Images

"Body and Soul" being a boxing movie from the '40s (1947), Davis must navigate extensive sinister outside influences and falls prey to that life. But unlike some other fighters on this list, Davis, after winning a title under questionable circumstances, retains his belt repeatedly and dispatches the top contenders over a period of years. That separates Davis from others of this time, and after he double-crosses a fight-fixing agreement by rallying for a 15th-round knockdown to stop a younger challenger, he retires. The boxing action isn't superb, but it is passable to land a long-reigning champ in the top 10.

 
20 of 26

Ivan Drago

Ivan Drago
United Artists

Because "Creed II" revealed Drago's career flatlined after his loss to Rocky Balboa ("Rocky IV"), the Soviet gold medalist's legacy suffers. Based on ability and a terror-inducing 1985, the PED-aided Drago still has a top-three case. His tactics in that ludicrous-on-all-fronts Apollo Creed exhibition match aside, the preposterously jacked Russian bludgeoned Balboa unlike anyone. Drago's 1,850 PSI punches (highly official measurement) gave the home fighter a commanding lead prior to his defensively apathetic opponent's heroic 15th round. An inability to close the show apparently cost Drago a title reign and 1980s and '90s fame and fortune.

 
21 of 26

James "Clubber" Lang

James "Clubber" Lang
Getty Images Getty Images

A common "Rocky"-universe question: Who wins a late-1980s Lang-Drago showdown? Clubber (29-1 as of 1982) has the common-opponent edge in beating Rocky Balboa, but his performance in the rematch brings questions. Lang's all-out attacks overwhelmed Balboa for much of the "Rocky III" action, but whereas Drago withstood Balboa's rallies until the final round in Moscow, Lang wilted in Round 3. Lang-Drago may have unfolded like Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson, with the taller man's reach making it difficult for Lang's wild swings to connect and thus forcing a frontrunning fighter to fold. But the Soviet's early demise gives Lang the resume edge.

 
22 of 26

Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa
Getty Images

This placement leans toward Balboa's fights in his 30s, rather than the mediocre resume he compiled prior to his unlikely matchup with Apollo Creed. A top-five ranking is debatable, obviously, with Rocky's record sitting at 57-23-1. If you'd like to penalize "The Italian Stallion" for the early defeats during half-committed years, that's fine. But Balboa defeated Creed, Clubber Lang, Ivan Drago, may have ruined champion Tommy Gunn's career via street fight and went the distance with Mason Dixon 15-plus years into retirement. Balboa was a dangerously careless defender and padded his record mid-"Rocky III," but he was one of the best when focused. 

 
23 of 26

George "Iceman" Chambers

George "Iceman" Chambers
Getty Images

The plot of 2002's "Undisputed" veers far too close to Mike Tyson's story, hurting this film from the start. Ving Rhames' Chambers is a heavyweight champion imprisoned on charges he insisted were false. The plot diverges from Tyson's quiet prison stay when the confrontational Chambers learns there's a formidable incarcerated boxer with whom a fight could expedite his release. Viewed as one of the sport's greatest offensive fighters, per Jim Lampley during a prison one-on-one exclusive, Chambers entered that fight 46-0-1. Regaining the lineal heavyweight title after prison further boosts the Iceman's standing.

 
24 of 26

Monroe Hutchen

Monroe Hutchen
Getty Images

Wesley Snipes plays the wrench in the "Undisputed" Tyson-story rip-off — a once-highly regarded prospect before a murder conviction nixed boxing plans. He's become a de facto prison champion. George "Iceman" Chambers enters the picture after Hutchen has been jailed 10 years. When the two face off, Hutchen has a 68-0 prison record. Hutchen plays the agile counter-puncher to Chambers' brute-force style — in well-crafted scenes — and rallies for a knockout victory in a large prison cage. It's hollow, since Chambers gets out and recaptures his real title. But Hutchen's victory over an eventual multi-time champion holds up, pound for pound.

 
25 of 26

"Pretty" Ricky Conlan

"Pretty" Ricky Conlan
Getty Images

Boxing movies often cast headline fighters with bodybuilder physiques — Creeds II and III are guilty of this — when in reality that can be detrimental. "Creed" did well to cast real-life (and realistic-looking) cruiserweight Tony Bellew as Adonis Creed's opponent. Conlan (37-1) is this high for two reasons. 1. Because the "Rocky" world did not delve into pound-for-pound statuses until it introduced light heavyweights in 2015. Conlan is an unbeaten, pound-for-pound No. 1. 2. His firefight light heavyweight victory — prior to a prison term — over Creed in England looks much better after the younger challenger's heavyweight accomplishments. A late-career heavyweight loss to Creed should not ding the Brit's stock much.

 
26 of 26

Apollo Creed

Apollo Creed
Getty Images

When we meet Apollo Creed, he is nearing the end of a storied run atop the heavyweight division. Before picking out a random opponent for a showcase fight, Creed compiles a 48-0 record with 48 knockouts. Derived from Muhammad Ali, this character built a monster resume — though it's not known if Creed went through an Ali-like opponent gauntlet — that outflanks the real-life inspiration's. Creed outlasts a stunningly competent Balboa and was one second away from a decision win in the rematch (before beating his friend/rival in a wildly irresponsible behind-closed-doors rubber match years later). Given what Balboa went on to achieve, Creed's credentials are airtight. 

Sam Robinson

Sam Robinson is a sportswriter from Kansas City, Missouri. He primarily covers the NFL for Yardbarker. Moving from wildly injury-prone sprinter in the aughts to reporter in the 2010s, Sam set up camp in three time zones covering everything from high school water polo to Division II national championship games

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

TODAY'S BEST

Vikings WR gets brutal injury news for second straight season
NFL

Vikings WR gets brutal injury news for second straight season

A Minnesota Vikings wide receiver's season is already over. The Minnesota Vikings announced on Tuesday that wide receiver Rondale Moore is being placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a leg injury that he suffered in the team's first preseason game against the Houston Texans this past weekend. It is a devastating blow for Moore, who is now being sidelined for an entire season, before it even begins, for the second year in a row. Moore signed a one-year, $2 million contract in free agency with the Vikings this offseason in the hopes he could return from a different injury that cost him the entirety of the 2024 season. Moore was a member of the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 after being acquired in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for backup quarterback Desmond Ridder. This is now two different teams that Moore has been a part of, but will never play a game for them due to injuries. Moore was injured while returning a punt. He began his career with the Arizona Cardinals, catching 135 passes for 1,201 yards over three seasons before being traded. He was never going to be counted on to be a key contributor for the Vikings offense this season, especially given the superstars they already have at wide receiver in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but he still had a chance to be an interesting depth player. Now it is fair to wonder what the rest of his career might even look like. Missing two full seasons due to two different leg injuries is going to be a brutal thing to try to come back from. Missing two seasons for any reason is difficult, but when you add the leg injuries to the equation, it makes the obstacle even steeper.

Oregon suspends former five-star WR recruit indefinitely
College Football

Oregon suspends former five-star WR recruit indefinitely

Oregon wide receiver Jurrion Dickey has struggled to live up to expectations in his first two seasons with the Ducks, and he is now in a terrible position heading into 2025 as well. Dickey has been suspended indefinitely by Oregon, head coach Dan Lanning announced on Tuesday. Lanning also suggested that Dickey may not play for the Ducks again. "We have two team rules; that’s respectful, be on time,” Lanning said, via James Crepea of The Oregonian. “There’s some pieces of that where I felt like he needed a break from us and we needed a break from that so we could focus on what’s in front of us right now. "Wishing him nothing but the best, as far as success and want to see him get back to where he can be a contributor somewhere; that might be here that might be somewhere else.” Dickey was a five-star recruit and rated as one of the top wide receivers in the country when he came out of Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, Calif., in 2023. He suffered an injury in his senior year in high school and redshirted as a freshman at Oregon. Dickey has two catches for 14 years during his time with the Ducks. Oregon went 13-1 in Lanning's third season with the program last season. The Ducks lost to eventual national champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Browns HC sends message to Myles Garrett after latest speeding incident
NFL

Browns HC sends message to Myles Garrett after latest speeding incident

Cleveland Browns All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett became the subject of headlines when it was learned that he was cited for driving 100 mph in a 60 mph zone on an interstate in a Cleveland suburb several hours after the Browns opened the preseason with a 30-10 win at the Carolina Panthers on Friday night. While speaking with reporters ahead of the club's joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday morning, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski sent a clear message regarding his feelings about Garrett's latest speeding incident. "Coming from a team leader, extremely disappointing," Stefanski said about Garrett, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. "It's been addressed with Myles -- with the football team. He needs to slow down for his safety and the safety of others." Browns insider Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer mentioned that Garrett has had at least eight speeding citations in Northeast Ohio since Cleveland made him the first overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. Back in the fall of 2022, Garrett missed a game after he was involved in a single-car accident following a team practice. The Ohio State Highway Patrol ultimately issued Garrett a citation following that crash after it was determined he was using an "unsafe speed for the type of roadway being traveled." Cabot added that Stefanski declined to say if Garrett will be disciplined this summer. Earlier in the week, Cabot wrote that Garrett could "be fined for conduct detrimental to the team." Back in early February, Garrett requested a trade from the Browns coming off the club's 3-14 season. However, he later accepted a four-year, $160M contract extension that included $123.5M guaranteed to stay with the organization. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam revealed during the NFL owners meetings in the spring that he had "challenged" Garrett "to become a real leader of the team." Haslam made that comment after a March report shared that it's "well known within the Browns that Garrett is frequently late to the facility" and "has skipped mandatory team activities on multiple occasions." It remains to be seen how the 29-year-old will respond to Stefanski's comments about an incident that occurred after Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was cited for speeding twice in June.

Oklahoma QB denies sports gambling allegations after suspicious screenshots emerge
College Football

Oklahoma QB denies sports gambling allegations after suspicious screenshots emerge

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has faced questions about some alleged screenshots from his Venmo account, and the school is reportedly investigating the situation. Screenshots and videos that were widely circulated on social media Monday claimed to show multiple Venmo transactions linked to Mateer that contained the phrase “sports gambling.” The two main transactions in question were on Nov. 20, 2022, which was when Mateer was a freshman at Washington State. The alleged transactions that referenced “sports gambling” were between Mateer and a Venmo account for Richard Roaten, who is believed to be one of Mateer’s former Washington State teammates. While some have questioned whether the screenshots could have been altered, there were also videos that appeared to show people actively scrolling through the account that is believed to belong to Mateer. According to a Tuesday report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Mateer has denied to Oklahoma officials that he has ever been involved with gambling. The school is still planning to investigate further, however. Mateer issued a statement on his X account denying being involved in sports gambling, explaining that the descriptions seen on his Venmo account are "inside jokes" with his friends. "The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false," Mateer wrote. "My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question but were instead inside jokes between me and my friends. "I have never bet on sports. I understand the seriousness of the matter but recognize that, taken out of context, those Venmo descriptions suggest otherwise. I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have not engaged in any sports gambling." Oklahoma also issued a statement saying it has “no reason to believe” there is going to be an NCAA investigation. Rules prohibit student athletes or team staff from betting on any sports that have NCAA championships. One of the alleged screenshots connected to Mateer had a reference to “UCLA vs. USC” in addition to “sports gambling.” Penalties for an athlete who has been found to have gambled on prohibited sports can include a loss of eligibility. Mateer had his first full season as a starter last year at Washington State. He completed 64.6% of his passes for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Mateer entered the transfer portal after last season as one of the top players available, and he had a disrespectful gesture when announcing his commitment to the Sooners.