10 Best Featherweight Boxers Of All Time, Ranked By Skill (2024)

The featherweight division has a rich history in boxing. The division achieved notoriety in mainstream boxing circles for producing tremendous action fights and providing the entertainment expected from the heavier weight classes.

However, a quick look at the division's best finds a diverse group of sluggers, boxers, and technical wizards.

10 Naseem Hamed's Charisma Brought Attention To The Division

Hamed's Punching Power Made Mainstream Headlines

One of boxing's most controversial stars, Hall of Famer Naseem Hamed talked lots of trash, had dramatic entrances, and tried to make every fight and event. An unorthodox southpaw, Hamed could end the fight at any moment from any angle. Trainer Emmanuel Steward noted that Hamed's body couldn't handle the extreme power he possessed, which is why Hamed often had hand issues.

Hamed's speed and timing allowed him to wait for the right moment to land a straight left hand. While critics often took aim at Hamed's lack of focus and defensive neglect at times, his ability to change a fight at any time with one punch brought a heavyweight-like feel to his fights.

9 Kid Chocolate Influenced Sugar Ray Robinson

Kid Chocolate Was A Master At Maintaining Distance

Kid Chocolate was a dominant fighter at featherweight and super featherweight because of his superior speed. He kept his opponents off balance with different fronts and angles. The Hall of Famer also had a tremendous jab and often made adjustments during his fights. Kid Chocolate knew when to box on the outside and when to slug and brawl on the inside. Kid Chocolate is a pioneer of Cuban Boxing.

8 Sandy Saddler Had Great Physical Gifts

Sandy Saddler Was A Deadly Body Puncher

At 5'8 with a 70-inch reach, Sandy Sandler had physical advantages over almost every opponent. While the Hall of Famer could use his jab to box and maintain distance, he was an aggressive fighter. Saddler loved to fight on the inside and attack the body with hooks and uppercuts.

While Saddler could occasionally stop his opponent with a single shot, the sheer volume of his power punches was too much. Most of Saddler's opponents were ready to be stopped by the middle rounds. Saddler also had a strong chin, having only suffered one KO loss in his 162 fight career.

7 Juan Manuel Marquez Had Unparalleled Timing

Marquez Could Also Brawl, If Necessary

While Juan Manuel Marquez would often get involved in exciting exchanges, he was in his element as a master counterpuncher. Marquez was sometimes compared to another Hall of Famer and Mexican great, Ricardo Lopez, as fighters nearly impossible to beat once they found the rhythm. In addition to great timing, Marquez was a great combination puncher with the ability to cause damage. The left hook and straight right hand were legit weapons for Marquez.

6 Vicente Saldivar Frustrated Opponents

Saldivar Got Stronger Throughout His Fights

Hall of Famer Vicente Saldivar often became stronger as the fight continued. When Saldivar wanted to press forward, he could, earning several late round knockout wins. However, Saldivar was equally skilled at using his southpaw jab and relying on his slick combinations to stack rounds. Saldivar was also a very strong defensive fighter. He used feints and different angles to dip and evade punches. Saldivar knew how to land and get out of range quickly.

5 Henry Armstrong Controlled The Ring

Armstrong Applied Constant Pressure

Hall of Famer Henry Armstrong was boxing's original belt collector, having reigned at featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight at the same time. While only 5'5, Armstrong bullied his opponents around the ring. He preferred to fight in close quarters, throwing lots of punches. Once his opponents began to tire, Armstrong capitalized with hooks to the body and uppercuts. Armstrong's elite chin also allowed him to move up and take over divisions, as he only suffered two knockout losses during an 181 fight career.

4 Alexis Arguello Was A Nightmare

Arguello Mixed Slugging With Ring I.Q.

The price of Managua, Nicaragua, Hall of Famer Alexis Arguello had multiple weapons. Standing 5'10 with a 72-inch reach, the slender power puncher stopped opponents with straight right hands down the middle, left hooks, and great body attacks. Arguello could also box and stopped many opponents by setting traps. Arguello's knockout highlight reel is full of instances when his opponent would leave themselves open while coming in, leading to Arguello showing off his accuracy with spectacular results.

3 Manny Pacquiao's Aggression Shocked The World

Pacquiao Threw Combinations At Alarming Speeds

Manny Pacquiao's sheer aggression and activity overwhelmed his opponents. He often left his opponents searching for answers. Marco Antonio Barrera often looked helpless as he tried to figure out how to deal with Pacquiao's speed and power. Pacquiao used his jab to set up his powerful left hand, which he threw at multiple angles due to his foot speed and successful feints. Pacquiao also had a strong chin, which allowed him to walk through his opponent's best shots and deliver punishment.

2 Salvador Sanchez Knew When To End Things

Sanchez Focused On Hooks and Uppercuts

Hall of Famer Salvador Sanchez was a boxer/puncher with a tremendous jab. The stinging jab would keep his opponents on the back foot and allow Sanchez to start firing power shots. Sanchez was a great finisher once his opponents were caught against the ropes or in the corner. Sanchez looked to finish the fight with upper body attacks, throwing powerful hooks, crosses, and uppercuts.

1 Willie Pep Mastered The Science

Pep Had No Weaknesses

​​​Hall of Famer Willie Pep had great footwork and balance. It looked like Pep glided around the ring at times. He threw quick combinations while moving in and out of range. While Pep was a natural counter puncher, he could be aggressive when he sensed an opportunity. Pep had unmatched timing: he knew when to stick with the jab, when to test his opponents' chin, and when to slip punches and counter.