The 10 best middleweight boxers of all time, ranked by skill

The middleweight division has a rich history in boxing. Some fans enjoy the duality of the middleweight division. Middleweights often use the incredible speed of lightweight fighters while also being able to deliver the highlight-reel knockouts expected of heavier fighters.

Upon reaching the top of the middleweight division, the boxer became the champion of the boxing world and was admired for decades.

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Ten Stanley Ketchel hits a devastating uppercut.

Ketchel had extreme power in both hands.

Michigan assassin Stanley Ketchel had a rough childhood. However, he never backed down from the fight. Ketchel was able to succeed because he had enormous power. Ketchel steadily rose through the ranks, eventually defeating Joe Thomas to win the middleweight title. Ketchel's signature wins include wins over Billy Papke and Philadelphia Jack O'Brien. Ketchel also challenged Jack Johnson for the heavyweight title. Ketchel's body punches and inside fighting often wore down his opponent.

9 Tiger Flower is a pioneer

Flowers is boxing's first African-American middleweight champion.

At 5'10 and with a 73-inch reach, Tiger Flowers was an accurate counter-puncher. Flowers overwhelmed many opponents with his hand speed and defensive ability. Flowers used a powerful jab to avoid getting into range of receiving huge power punches. Flowers had bitter rivalries with fellow Hall of Famers Harry Greb and Maxie Rosenbloom, as well as Lee Anderson, one of the first African American light heavyweight champions.

8 Bob Fitzsimmons becomes boxing's first three-division world champion

Fitzsimmons is considered one of the hardest punchers of all time.

At 5 minutes and 11 seconds tall, Bob Fitzsimmons was one of the biggest middleweights of his day, and he developed his strength by doing odd jobs and participating in bare-knuckle fights. Fitzsimmons defeated Jack Nonpareil Dempsey to win the middleweight title. The Hall of Famer would reign for more than three years before vacating the title to move up to heavyweight.

7 GGG has become one of boxing's top attractions.

GGG reigns as unified and lineal middleweight champion

Gennady Gennadyevich Golovkin, better known as GGG, has become one of boxing's top rising stars with his impressive knockouts. GGG is a pressure fighter, but it would be a mistake to classify him as a brawler. He is a patient fighter who waits for an opening before attacking. GGG has an incredible body attack with his signature hooks and produces several knockouts. Perhaps GGG's greatest asset is his chin, and he's never been knocked down or even hurt by his opponents.

6 Harry Greb is probably the greatest pure boxer in the division

Gleb was inducted into the Hall of Fame due to poor eyesight.

Harry Greb reigned as Middleweight Champion for three years. Throughout his career, Greb fought over 10 Hall of Famers, including Mickey Walker, Maxie Rosenbloom, and Tommy Laughran. Greb won points with quick counter punches. He had solid footwork and was not afraid to fight on the inside or get rough. Greb fought most of his career with a partially detached retina in his right eye. He eventually lost all vision in that eye.

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Five Jake LaMotta is one of boxing's most famous action fighters

Most of LaMotta's fights turned into brutal brawls

Former middleweight champion Jake LaMotta was always looking for a knockout and was prepared to take a huge beating. Raging Bull tried to trade punches as often as possible, sometimes resorting to the scientific side of the sport. LaMotta occasionally feinted, and when facing opponents who threw bigger punches, he used slips and rolls to avoid punches.

Four Bernard Hopkins is a great tactician

Hopkins had what many considered an old school style

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Former undisputed middleweight champion and lineal light heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins is an expert counter-puncher who relies on the basics. Hopkins wasn't the fastest or the strongest, but he constantly adjusted his game plan during matches. Hopkins' ability to adapt to different martial arts styles helped him become a Hall of Famer.

3 Carlos Monzon reigned as middleweight champion for seven years

Monzon was able to box and punch effectively.

Carlos Monzon was a big, strong middleweight, standing at 5'11 with a 76″ reach. He used his talents to keep his distance and landed a tremendous shot from the outside. Monzon could also fight on the inside, but usually fought using his jab and straight right. Monzon had notable wins over Hall of Famers Jose Napoles, Emily Griffith, and Nino Benvenuti.

2 Marvin Hagler is one of boxing's most feared punchers

Hagler has a memorable knockout reel

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Marvin Hagler was the undisputed middleweight champion for over six years. The southpaw slugger threw every punch, including the jab, at top speed. That's why his KO wins often looked violent. Hagler's intimidating aura was not only due to his explosive power, but also because of his incredible chin.

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1 Sugar Ray Robinson is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time

Robinson could fight inside and out.

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Sugar Ray Robinson won the middleweight title four times. Robinson had great hooks and uppercuts. Robinson was also an excellent body puncher. Robinson was also one of the first boxers to throw the perfect bolo punch.

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