Francisco Guilledo, better known as Pancho Villa, blazed a trail as the first Asian world boxing champion. At just 5’1” and 114 lbs, he defied the odds and captured the flyweight crown in 1923, cementing his place among the all-time Filipino greats. Body:

James J. Corbett, known as “Gentleman Jim,” was the heavyweight who defeated John L. Sullivan and ushered boxing into the modern era. More than a champion, he pioneered scientific boxing and helped transform the sport’s public image worldwide.

Boxing was already a celebrated Olympic sport in ancient Greece, where fighters wore leather cestus gloves and battled without rounds or weight divisions. From those brutal beginnings, the sport evolved into the structured and global spectacle we know today.

John Frederic Coulon, a Canadian-American bantamweight, reigned as world champion from 1910–1914 and later ran one of Chicago’s most legendary gyms, where champions from Jack Dempsey to Muhammad Ali trained.

From battling legends like Sam Langford to training Joe Louis, Jack Blackburn left an indelible mark on boxing as both fighter and master strategist.

Welsh heavyweight Tommy Farr pushed Joe Louis to the limit in 1937, earning lasting respect as “The Tonypandy Terror” of British boxing.

With 229 victories and unmatched defensive skill, Willie Pep is remembered as one of the greatest featherweights—and purest boxers—of all time.

In 1938, heavyweight champion Joe Louis starred in Spirit of Youth, a boxing drama echoing his own rise from humble beginnings to global fame.