Born in Yokohama, Japan, in 1943, Antonio Inoki is one of the key figures in the history of Japanese wrestling. Inoki spent much of his youth in Brazil where he was a national star in the shot put and discus throw. It was here that the young athlete met Rikidozan — perhaps the most... more »
Sebastiaan “Bas” Rutten (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbɑs ˈrʏtən]; born February 24, 1965) is a retired Dutch mixed martial artist and kickboxer. He was the UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak (21 wins, 1 draw). Rutten has beaten many MMA champions... more »
Benny “The Jet” Urquidez (born June 20, 1952) is an American kickboxer, martial arts choreographer and actor. Nicknamed, The Jet, Urquidez was a non-contact karate competitor who later pioneered full-contact fighting in the U.S. He made the transition from point to full-contact karate in 1974 – the year of its inception in the U.S.... more »
Argentina’s Carlos Monzon was one, if not the, greatest middleweight boxing champions in fistic history. Born in poverty, he was discovered in the famed Luna Park Gym by trainer Amilicar Brussa, who molded the “skinniest” 6 feet 2 incher in the world into a lethal fighting machine. Monzon developed a plodding style of standing... more »
Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris (born March 10, 1940) is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do. As a result of his “tough guy” image, an Internet phenomenon... more »
Born Oct. 19, 1962, Atmore, Ala., U.S., Holyfield is the only boxer to win a version of the heavyweight championship four separate times. Holyfield’s first title win was against James “Buster” Douglas in 1990 and he won the unified title at that time. He lost the title to Riddick Bowe in 1992, recaptured it... more »
Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko (Russian: (born September 28, 1976) is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has won numerous tournaments and accolades in multiple sports, most notably the Pride 2004 Grand Prix and the World Combat Sambo championship on four occasions, as well as medaling in the Russian national Judo championship. He holds the... more »
Gene LeBell was born in 1932 in Los Angeles, and holds a 10th degree black belt (red belt rank) in Judo and a 9th degree black belt in Jujutsu. Along with Judo and Jujutsu, Gene has also trained in Boxing, Catch-Wrestling and Kyokushin Karate. In addition to martial arts, he also dubbed in professional... more »
George Edward Foreman (nicknamed “Big George”) (born January 10, 1949) is an American professional boxer, two-time former World Heavyweight Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur. A gold medalist at the 1968 Olympics, Foreman won the world heavyweight title with a second round knockout of then-undefeated Joe Frazier in Kingston,... more »
Henry Armstrong was the first and only boxer to hold 3 world championship division titles at the same time. He would’ve won a fourth, something that no one has come close to doing ever, but fell short due to a controversial draw against Ceferino Garcia. Many thought he should’ve won. Regardless, his greatest achievement... more »
Hidehiko Yoshida (born September 3, 1969) is a Japanese gold medalist in judo at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and retired MMA Heavyweight fighter. He is a long time veteran of Japan’s Pride Fighting Championships competed in the Middleweight division also managing to fight in the semi-finals in the Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix.... more »
Willie Pep is an Italian-American boxer who fought for 26 years with a total of 229 wins out of 241 fights, perhaps the most impressive record in boxing. Pep was the World Featherweight Champion with an astounding record of 61-0 before finally losing to another World Champion and fellow future Hall of Famer, Sammy Angott... more »
Jack Dempsey is definitely one of the most popular American boxers in history. He is known for setting the highest attendance and purse records and had the very first million dollar fight ever. Jack Dempsey was worth it, he was known for being the most savagely brutal and entertaining boxers of all time. Missing... more »
Before Muhammad Ali or Roy Jones Jr., the biggest brash, bold trash talker around was the first African American Heavyweight Champ Jack Johnson. Being the first African American Heavyweight champ alone should secure him a spot on any top ten listing. For over a decade, nobody could beat him. He humiliated his opponents, holding... more »
Known as “The Brown Bomber”, Joe Louis was an American Icon. He was clearly a shining star head and shoulders above the rest in his time. He couldn’t lose. Joe Louis only had 1 legitimate loss against Germany’s Max Schmeling which he later avenged in a sensational and historical 1st round KO. Joe Louis single... more »
Chavez is a Mexican legend who has gone over ten years straight without a loss. He was known as a tough as nails fighter who would always bring a great fight to the table. Chavez has earned himself the uncontested distinction of being recognized as “Mexico’s Greatest Fighter”. Chavez is a 6 time champion... more »