- Billy Bird holds the record for the most knockouts in boxing history with 139.
- All boxers on the top 10 list have at least 100 knockouts each.
- Most of the boxers on the list competed in the higher divisions.
A knockout finish in boxing is one spectacular way to get a win, and boxers who often score this method of victory become a crowd darling. It also makes them famous athletes in the sport and a perpetual favourite when boxing odds are posted before their bouts.
George Foreman, Archie Moore and Sandy Saddler, three of history's scariest punchers with 300+ knockouts between them 😳 pic.twitter.com/rr1sterUe3
— Boxing History (@BoxingHistory) November 28, 2023
But throughout the history of boxing, who has secured the most knockouts? Here’s a list of the top 10 boxers who have scored the most knockout stoppages throughout their professional careers. They are spearheaded by Billy Bird.
Who Has the Most Knockouts in Boxing History?
| Name | Number of Knockouts |
|---|---|
| Billy Bird | 139 |
| Archie Moore | 132 |
| Young Stribling | 129 |
| Sam Langford | 126 |
| Buck Smith | 120 |
| Kid Azteca | 114 |
| George Odwell | 111 |
| Sugar Ray Robinson | 109 |
| Peter Maher | 107 |
| Sandy Saddler | 103 |
Leading the list of boxers with the most knockouts in boxing history is Bird, who had 139. He competed in 356 fights and finished his career with a 39% finish rate. Despite being the record holder for the category, he couldn’t win any major boxing title.
Archie Moore and Young Stribling were behind Bird’s record with 132 and 129 knockouts, respectively. Moore captured the World Light Heavyweight title during his 27-year run. On the other hand, Stribling had the same fate as Bird, who also never won a major boxing title in his 12-year pro career.
Mike Tyson Knockouts
Mike Tyson is one of boxing’s iconic stars, and he won 50 career fights. Among those wins, he recorded 44 KOs and a finish rate of 88%.
Tyson defeated boxing icons like Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Henry Tillman, and Trevor Berbick.
Which Boxer Has a 100% Knockout Percentage?
Edwin Valero and Artur Beterbiev are two boxers who have achieved an incredible 100% knockout percentage. Valero was the Super Featherweight champion before he passed away in 2010.
Beterbiev is the other boxer with a perfect knockout percentage. He currently reigns as the IBF, WBC, and WBO World Light Heavyweight champion. It remains to be seen if he will maintain this magnificent record.
What Is the Difference Between a KO and TKO?
A knockout in boxing is when a fighter cannot beat the 10-count of a referee or when they are entirely unconscious due to a punch from their opponent. Meanwhile, a TKO is when a fighter is able to beat the 10-second count from the referee but they can’t continue. A TKO can also occur when a fighter fails to fire back an opponent’s multiple punches.