Who Is the Best Super Middleweight of All Time? Fans Debate Between Canelo Alvarez, Roy Jones Jr., and Others

Published 02/19/2024, 7:49 AM EST

The boxing fans got to see two great fights in the super middleweight division recently. David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade and Jaime Munguia vs. John Ryder saw the rise of two potential greats of the division, Benavidez and Munguia. These boxers are quite young, however, many before them have already paved the path for these fighters to shine through in the division.

They carry the legacy of the super middleweight division, which has seen legendary champions like Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr., Andre Ward, and Canelo Alvarez. But who among them is the best to ever grace the ring? Well, at least, that’s what the DAZN tried to ask boxing fans hoping to find an answer.

Super Middleweight: From Humble Beginnings to Main Event Stardom

Born in 1984 with a whimper, not a bang, the modern super middleweight division emerged when Murray Sutherland defeated Ernie Singletary for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) version of the title. It was after the 90s that the division became truly competitive, especially in Britain and Ireland. Notable rivalries included Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, and Michael Watson, as well as the 10-year reign of Joe Calzaghe. From underdog origins to a star-studded present, the super middleweight division has defied expectations. As a result, DAZN Boxing posted an iconic picture of Canelo asking the fans a burning question: “Who is the best super middleweight of all time?”

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One of the best pound-for-pound boxers ever, Canelo Alvarez, was surely a contender for many boxing experts. Many believe his exploits at super middleweight solidify his place among the division’s all-time greats. Andre Ward was also one of the names that fans were sure of. His undefeated career, facing top contenders, showcased his brilliance.

Roy Jones Jr. scorched the super middleweight scene in 13 fights, amassing a perfect record (13-0) with 11 KOs. He stopped the unbeaten Thulani Malinga in his second bout, then dipped to middleweight to grab another title before returning. His defining win: a masterful decision over fellow legend James Toney. Jones wasn’t just powerful (11 KOs!); he was a complete boxer, showcasing dazzling speed and unmatched skill. These points set the stage for a very contentious debate among boxing fans.

Canelo Alvarez vs. the Old School

After seeing the picture of Alvarez adorning the post, fans engaged in a debate regarding the classic super middleweight boxers.

One of the fans stated that Roy Jones Jr. was a great boxer at both super middleweight and light heavyweight. They wrote, “Ima go roy jones some may argue his best was at 175 but hey.”

Another fan mentioned his top 5 list of the boxers at 168 weight class. They wrote, “1, Joe Calzaghe 2, RJJ 3, James Toney 4, Andre Ward 5, Canelo.”

One fan took up the name of Canelo Alvarez to be the best since he did something that no other boxer had ever done. They wrote, “Canelo. Ran a whole division in under 11 months. Undisputed run. No one ever did that.”

A fan also took the name of Alvarez. They wrote, “King canelo. The one they say he ducks because he has to go through one great fighter after another.”

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Another fan, who thought Canelo was not worthy of being mentioned here, wrote, “Definitely not Canelo. Hype job, drug cheat, several ridiculous scorecards. Hopefully he just retires for the good of boxing.”

The fans have mentioned a lot of surprising as well as obvious names in the super middleweight division. What are your thoughts about this? Let us know in the comments section.

Watch This Story: Canelo Alvarez’s new training video: Is he preparing for David Benavidez vs Demetrius Andrade?

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Written by:

My passion for sweet science began at the tender age of 12, a gift from my father who introduced me to the legendary persona of Muhammad Ali. In my heart, 'The Rumble in the Jungle' still remains to be the pinnacle of sporting history. Over the years, my fervor for boxing remained intact, although life's commitments sometimes deviated me from being a hardcore fan of the sport.

Edited by:

Gokul Pillai