On December 11, 2022, in the Korea International Exhibition Center, Pacquiao fought a 6 round exhibition match against South Korean martial artist, DK Yoo. Pacquiao won the exhibition by unanimous decision.

Rocky Marciano, aka The Brockton Blockbuster, was born in 1923 in Brockton, Massachusetts. Legendary fighter, as well as an example of tenacity and discipline. He held the heavyweight title for four division boxing champions years and is the only division champion who retired undefeated. Also, he had the shortest arm span (reach) of any titleholders in this weight division. Learn more about Rocky Marciano’s boxing style.

20) Carl Thompson – 6.75 points: The all-action, U.K.-based Thompson posted a career record of 34-6, 25 KO…WBO titlist 1995-99…three successful defenses…faced 5 titlists (Massimiliano Duran, Ralf Rocchigiani, Johnny Nelson, Uriah Grant, David Haye) six times, defeating all but Nelson and stopping Duran, Grant and Haye for Haye’s only loss to this publishing date…perhaps best remembered for two brutal wars with fellow U.K. native and former Super Middleweight stalwart Chris Eubank in 1998.

This division has been an exciting and competitive weight class featuring a mix of explosive power, technical skill and strategic brilliance. Fighters like Beterbiev, Bivol, Yarde, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Joshua Buatsi, and Callum Smith have contributed significantly to the wellbeing of the division.

Follow the sweet science long enough and even a passing fan will hear, with sounds of awe, about an ‘original eight,’ about a bygone era when the sport’s weight classes were limited to just that number with (usually) just that many World champions.

Key victories: Jorge Linares UD May 29, 2021 (135); Joseph Diaz Jr. UD Dec. 4, 2021 (135); George Kambosos Jr. I UD June 5, 2022 (135); Kambosos Jr. II UD Oct. 16, 2022 (135); Vasiliy Lomachenko UD May 20, 2023 (135).

Left-handed or southpaw fighters use a mirror image of the orthodox stance, which can create problems for orthodox fighters unaccustomed to receiving jabs, hooks, or crosses from the opposite side. The southpaw stance, conversely, is vulnerable to a straight right hand.

The "Michigan Assassin" left an indelible impression even with a life ended at the point of a gun at age 24. Like Masao Ohba and Salvador Sanchez many years later, Ketchell remains frozen forever at his peak, a reigning champion. A professional at age 16, Ketchell won his first bout by opening round knockout in and by the end of 1904 had reached a mark on 13-2-1. All of the wins were by knockout. He wouldn’t spend much time losing from then on. It wasn’t until the second win in three consecutive fights with Joe Thomas in 1907 that Ketchell picked up the first decision victory of his career to extend his mark to 39-2-4. In that series, Ketchell also laid claim to the World Middleweight title vacated by Tommy Ryan the year before, strengthening his claim in the first half of 1908 with consecutive knockouts of the excellent Sullivan brothers, Mike and Jack, and a decision win in his first bout with defining rival Billy Papke. And knockout of Thomas, and Tommy Ryan’s attempt at a chosen successor in Hugo Kelly, was followed with a stoppage loss in the Papke rematch in September. The notorious rematch was begun with a foul blow to the head or throat of Ketchell during ringside introductions and Ketchell wasted little time avenging the 12th round loss. Two months later, he met Papke again, savaging the Illinois native in eleven to regain the crown. A ten-round no decision contest against former Light Heavyweight champion "Philadelphia" Jack O’ Brien in early 1909 set up a June rematch; Ketchell stopped him in three, following less than a month later with a twenty round decision to end his rivalry with Papke. The year closed, famously, with a challenge for the Heavyweight crown. Giving up over 25 pounds, Ketchell dropped the great Jack Johnson in the 12th but, rather than hurting his man, Ketchell served only to anger him. Johnson rushed across the ring, forcefully removing Ketchell from his senses and some teeth from his mouth. He opened 1910 with no decision bouts against Frank Klaus and the great Sam Langford, the latter of whom ringside opinion was mixed as to who won. Perhaps they would have squared off for the crown one day but the chance would not arise. Ketchell managed three more knockouts before he himself was put down for the final count.

"Jake Paul has been close to The WBC for several years, starting with the first event promoted in the UK when his brother, Logan, fought KSI; On that night, Jake won The WBC amateur belt in the undercard fights," Sulaiman stated.

A few hundred years ago, boxing was quite different than it was today. No rounds, no rings, no gloves and no weight classes would make for a very different sport indeed. The introduction of Broughton’s Rules though began to distinguish between fighters of different sizes.

Last but not least, don’t forget your combinations when you attempt to enter optimal range. Combination punching while moving forward is key against taller fighters who will attempt to keep you on the outside.