Family matters
From the Furys and the Mayweathers to the Klitschko brothers and Leon and Michael Spinks, who ended his career with a quick defeat to Mike Tyson – the top 10 families of boxing ranked
Boxing clearly runs in the blood as there are plenty of brothers, cousins, fathers-and-sons – or fathers-and-daughters – who have shown themselves skilled in the noble art of punching people in the face.
As we countdown the 10 greatest, wildest boxing families, we have one definite rule: at least two of the boxers have to have fought at a high level. So Bobby Pacquiao being Manny’s younger bro or a teenage Canelo Alvarez sharing a card with about five of his brothers in Mexico doesn’t mean either the Pacquiao or the Alvarez families make the cut.
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There’s also no place – ever – for the Pauls. And no place – yet – for the Benns. Nigel was a British ring legend, and Conor Benn is improving rapidly but it’s not quite done enough to crack the top 10. Still, the famously chilled-out Nige won’t mind when he sees an old friend has pipped him in the list. Right?
10. The Eubanks
Simply the (10th) best. Chris Eubank Sr, a two-weight world champion and UK style icon, gets the majority of the credit. But Chris Jr, who saw off Liam Williams earlier this year, has proven himself a 10-top middleweight contender and could yet win a world title belt. Chris Sr’s older brothers, twins Peter and Simon, also boxed professionally, while his son Sebastian – who tragically died of a heart attack at age 29 – also boxed twice as a pro, winning both.
9. The Hattons
Manchester’s lovable everyman Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton takes the lead: a two-weight world champion, conqueror of Kostya Tszyu and a tremendous ticket seller. But don’t sleep on his brother, Matthew, less explosive but a European welterweight champion who once took Canelo Alvarez the distance in a light-middleweight world title bout. The 21-year-old Campbell Hatton, son of Ricky, is 7-0 and taking the first steps of his boxing career.
8. The Charlos
A case of ‘Twins’ where both are Arnold Schwarzenegger and nobody is Danny DeVito. Jermall Charlo, the older brother by one minute, has a perfect 32-0 record and has won world titles at 154lb and 160lb. However, Jermell Charlo has the best recent form, unifying all of the light-middleweight world titles with a thrilling KO of Brian Castano. Both are on the fringes of the pound-for-pound top 10 debate right now and, at age 32, still have plenty in the tank.
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7. The Smiths
No, not the band – although there’s enough of them to start one. What Liverpool’s Smiths lack in one great fighter, they make up for in consistency. All four brothers fought for world titles and while Paul and Stephen had good careers, Liam and Callum have gone a step further. Liam is an ex-154lb world champion coming off two fine back-to-back wins, while youngest brother Callum – a former super-middleweight world champ who’s only defeat is to Canelo Alvarez – is taking aim at 175lb.
6. The Furys
Tyson Fury does the major lifting as you’d expect from an all-conquering, 6ft 9in heavyweight champion. But the Fury clan is definitely numerous. Hughie Fury is less spectacular than Tyson, but is a solid heavyweight contender. Tommy Fury is an unbeaten prospect (quality: TBC). Peter Fury is a very good trainer. And ‘Gypsy’ John Fury used to box, even if he wasn’t that great (nobody tell him we said that). What’s next? Paris Fury putting on the gloves?
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5. The Klitschkos
You may have heard of these units. The second set of brothers to become world heavyweight champion and each was a genuine no.1 in the division for a long stretch. Older brother Vitali Klitschko had a granite chin and a fearsome punch. Wladimir could whack too – the pair have a whopping 94 KOs between them – was more vulnerable but the more stylish boxer. Boast a combined 40 world title defences and are currently showing incredible courage in Ukraine.
4. The Marquezs
Smaller than the Klitschkos but, just narrowly, pound-for-pound better. Juan Manuel Marquez, who had four famous fights with Manny Pacquiao, is among the greatest Mexican fighters in history. However his hard-punching younger brother Rafael Marquez, less technically perfect but often more exciting, was also a multi-weight world champion who had his own stunning four-fight series (against Israel Vazquez). Both belong in boxing’s hall of fame.
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3. The Alis
Muhammad Ali’s name speaks for itself, seeing as he’s the greatest heavyweight of all time and the most famous athlete of the 20th century. So that’s a solid start. But daughter Laila Ali is a great in her own right, the face of women’s boxing in the early 2000s who retired with a flawless 24-0 record. Muhammad’s brother, Rahman Ali, was a fringe heavyweight contender in his day, while grandson Nico Ali Walsh is just starting his journey. No pressure, eh?
2. The Spinks
Leon and Michael Spinks are the first brothers to win the heavyweight title. The final 91 seconds of Michael’s career – when he was pulverised by a peak Mike Tyson – might unfortunately be what many people remember him for, but he was an all-time great light-heavyweight champ.
Added to that, Leon’s son Cory Spinks was a slick southpaw who won world titles in two weight classes (147lb, 154lb) and challenged in a third. Three elite boxers in one bloodline.
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1. The Mayweathers
Las Vegas boxing royalty. Floyd Mayweather Jr is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers ever who retired with a 50-0 record and now does exhibitions like fighting 50 Cent underwater in Dubai (coming in 2023, probably). His uncle Roger was a dangerous, two-weight world champion in the 1980s; while father Floyd Sr and uncle Jeff were also solid contenders. Throw in their careers as trainers and the Mayweathers are clearly the ultimate fighting family.
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