
4. Joe Louis
The Brown Bomber held the heavyweight title for an incredible eleven years or 140 months, defending his strap a record-breaking 25 times. Throughout the 30s and 40s, he also gained mainstream popularity, becoming the first African-American athlete to break down racial barriers and win the love of a nation.

His punching power is regarded as one of the most devastating and powerful in history. There’s a reason that so few people were able to stand in front of him. Louis is known for his rivalry with Max Schmeling, as well as the likes of James J. Braddock, Billy Conn, and Jersey Joe Walcott. These were some of the best fighters of his generation.