Most Famous Boxers By Country

Lennox Lewis is by far the most famous boxer associated with Canada. Only hardcore old timers know who Langford is and most people wouldn’t even know he’s Canadian.

 

He isn’t

 

As this is about fame, I think Carnera for Italy. If not him, Benvenuti.

For Cuba, Kid Gavilan.

 

In Europe he is. In many Asian countries too

 

Ghana - Azumah Nelson
England - Frank Bruno
Canada - George Chuvalo
Poland - Andrew Golota
Ukraine - Klitschkos
Australia - Joe Bugner
Germany - Max Schmeling

 

UK it’s between cooper/Bruno. But Henry edges it.

Nobody else will come close to those two in the United Kingdom.

I think Cooper was Britain’s first real ambassador of Boxing. Whereas Frank was kind of pushed into that role, he did get a title, his exposure was probably greater than Henry..but Henry became a Sir, was a more knowledgeable spokesman for the sport and remained an established mainstream National treasure for the rest of his life ...where as Bruno’s mainstream appeal lasted only really a few years beyond his career. Same as Barry McGuigan of Ireland.

Everyones national profile has dimmed a lot since the end of terrestrial TV and tabloid press where nobody can really reach those heights again.

Joshua, having done a lot more, isn’t even close to Bruno. As ridiculous as it sounds..Joshua in the1980s would have been close to equal to Frank.

But will Joshua be an active National figure 30 years after his career like Cooper? I don’t think so.

Max Schmeling must rank internationally as being Germany’s most famous boxer..but I don’t know how celebrated he was after his career over there during the Cold War. Maybe a German would be better qualified to say, but from the outside it appeared Schmeling was more significant internationally as nationally to me..but I could be wrong.

I imagine Roberto Duran in Panama and Chavez in Mexico come pretty close to the kind of national treasure status of Bruno and Henry Cooper were to their countries.

 

Yes, his name is more user-friendly/catchy

 

Naseem Hamed.

 

He was big in the Republic of Yemen too.

 

For Ireland
Internationally it seems to be Barry McGuigan and recently Katie Taylor.
In Ireland I'd say it leans more towards Steve Collins or Michael Carruth and at the moment Katie Taylor. Amateur boxing has always been popular here, probably mainly due to pro's finding it hard to get exposure, if they don't break UK or the USA no money to be made here really.
The old lads usually bang on about George Gardner.
Scotland= Buchanan or Watt?
Philippines= Manny Pacquiao
Japan= Fighting Harada
Wales= Joe Clazaghi or Jimmy Wilde?

 

I am old enough to remember when Gavilan was world champion and one of the most famous of boxers. The first fight I can clearly remember seeing and knowing the competitors was Gavilan versus Basilio. Of course I can't say for certain, but I think being the world professional champion trumped being an Olympic champion, but I certainly might be wrong. I don't know how one could tell. Gavilan is further back in time, so perhaps younger folks would have a different take.