26. Julio César Chávez
Chávez won 87 consecutive bouts to begin his remarkable career inside the squared circle. Chávez’s pristine record was initially blemished when he escaped with a controversial majority draw against Pernell Whitaker in September 1993.
Then, approximately four months later in January 1994, the Mexican legend lost a split decision to Frankie Randall. Nonetheless, the relentless Chávez (107-6-2, 86 KOs) had an indelible ring presence and the elite pound-for-pounder became a Hall of Famer in 2011.
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25. Bernard Hopkins
Hopkins was taught how to box while serving an 18-year sentence at Graterford Prison in Pennsylvania. Shortly after being released in 1988, Hopkins (55-8-2-2, 32 KOs) premiered as a professional and he ultimately matured into one of history’s preeminent pound-for-pound prizefighters.
Nicknamed “The Alien,” the fundamentally sound Philadelphian trumped famed boxers Felix Trinidad, William Joppy, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright, Kelly Pavlik, Jean Pascal and Roy Jones Jr. Hopkins. At the age of 48 in March of 2013, he became the oldest pugilist to win a major belt, and defended the middleweight crown a record 20 consecutive times from 1995 through 2005. A 51-year-old Hopkins finally retired in December 2016.
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