Best Counter Punchers in Boxing History

Out of all the different boxing styles, counter punchers are arguably one of the best styles. The way that a counter puncher can defend an opponent’s strikes and deliver their own is a beautiful art.

Here is a list of the best counter punchers in boxing history. Check out our list of legends below and see how they became all-time great fighters.

Muhammad Ali

No respectable list of the best counter punchers in boxing history is complete without the boxing GOAT Muhammad Ali. “The Greatest” talked big and backed it up any time that he stepped in the ring.

For the majority of Ali’s career, he was known as a defensive master who was almost impossible to hit. Ali adopted his famous “rope-a-dope” style to draw opponents in and counter them with powerful strikes.

Using this style along with his speed and technical prowess allowed Ali to beat numerous champions to become a legend. If Ali were fighting today, you could use non gamestop sports betting to place bets on the legend.

Archie Moore

If you like at the top boxing expert’s lists of the best counter punchers in boxing history, they’ll have Archie Moore. “The Mongoose was a legendary counter puncher, who won the light-heavyweight title three times. 

Astonishingly, a lot of Moore’s accolades were accomplished well into his 30s and 40s. Archie was able to achieve so many feats due to his elusive counter punching style. 

He was a puzzle that only a few boxing greats were able to solve during his career. Moore was able to 186 pro fights, which included 136 KO wins from his patented counter punching.

Sugar Ray Robinson

Another fighter who must be mentioned on the list of the best counter punchers in boxing history is Sugar Ray Robinson. Sugar Ray was famously quoted stating that “Rhythm is everything in boxing.”

He could not only knockout opponents with both hands, but he could evade any punch thrown at him. Robinson’s ability to switch between counter puncher and stalker made him extremely difficult to deal with.

His talent enabled him to go on an astounding 90-fight unbeaten streak during his legendary career.

James Toney 

James Toney is another must on any list of the best counter punchers in boxing history. “Lights Out” knew he was talented and wasn’t afraid to tell his opponents what would happen to them.

Nobody in the sport’s history had the ability to slip and roll with the punches like the multi-time champions. What made Toney scarier was that he would stand right in front of his opponents and they could never hit him.

He could always roll out of the way and deliver devastating knockout punches.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Last up on our list of the best counter punchers in boxing history is arguably the greatest in Floyd Mayweather Jr. What made Mayweather so special is that he didn’t start out as a legendary counter puncher.

Money Mayweather was originally a power puncher, but broken hands forced him to change his style. This style change helped Floyd’s longevity in the sport and became one of boxing’s greatest defensive fighters.

Mayweather was always able to evade the best fighters in the world and outpoint them with beautiful counters.