Originally Posted by
pacman79
With his stunning, second-round KO of 140-pound champ Ricky Hatton, Filipino southpaw Manny Pacquiao became the second boxer in history to secure titles in six weight divisions (flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and junior welterweight). The only other to do so: Oscar De La Hoya, who ended his storied career after getting pummeled by Pacquiao last December. Here's a look at some other multi-divisional champs in history.
- Oscar De La Hoya - | Six Divisional World Titles
"The Golden Boy" is the most lucrative fighter to date. He knocked out 17 world champions and won 10 world titles, from super featherweight to middleweight. The Olympic gold medalist closed his career with a 39-6 record, with 30 wins by way of knockout.
- Sugar Ray Leonard - | Five Divisional World Titles
In his 20-year professional career, "Sugar" compiled an astounding 36-3-1 record (25 KOs) while defeating the likes of Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler. Leonard earned world titles at light heavyweight, super middleweight, middleweight, junior middleweight and welterweight.
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. - | Five Divisional World Titles
When he retired in 2007, Floyd Mayweather Jr. finished with a flawless 39-0 record (25 KOs), while also reigning atop the 130-,135-, 140-, 147- and 154-pound divisions. Luckily for fight fans, "Money May" is returning to the ring in July to take on Juan Manuel Marquez.
- Thomas Hearns - | Five Divisional World Titles
With a destructive right hand and the ability to knock out an opponent like no other, "The Hitman" Hearns became the first boxer to claim world titles in four divisions and in five divisions. The knockout king reigned atop the welterweight, super welterweight, light heavyweight, middleweight and super middlweight.
- Roberto Duran - | Four Divisional World Titles
The Panamanian nicknamed "Hands of Stone," is widely considered to be one of the greatest fighters of the past century. His 103-16 record, with 70 KOs, puts him in an elite boxing arena, while his four divisional titles -- lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight -- clearly make Duran among the most dominant boxers ever.
- Pernell Whitaker - | Four Divisional World Titles
"Sweet Pea's" 40-4-1 record, with 17 KOs, only portray a fraction of his power in the ring. Whitaker claimed Olympic gold as lightweight at the 1984 Games, won 201 of his 214 amateur bouts (though he claims he fought and won many more) and became world champion in four weight divisions -- lightweight, super lightweight, welterweight and light middleweight.
- Henry Armstrong - | Three Divisional Titles
From 1931 to '45, Henry Armstrong acquired a massive 151-21 record, with 101 knockouts. But even more staggering were his three world titles in different weight classes -- featherweight, welterweight and lightweight -- all of which he held at the same time. While his trio may appear to pale in comparison to Pacquiao's and De La Hoya's sextuplet, Armstrong's titles came when there were only eight weight divisions, instead of today's 16. In fact, many boxing experts credit Armstrong as the greatest multi-division champion in history.
Can you guys think of any other fighters who won titles in 3 or more divisions?
