Across the world of boxing, there is typically one big name that stands out from the rest at the height of their powers and fame, leading the way with their in-ring skills and power of attraction with regards to ticket sales and pay-per-view numbers.
With one decade now at an end and a new one beginning in 2020, the sport has continued to develop and produce an abundance of new fresh faces and rising stars are coming from all over the globe.
However, there are still past greats who keep their fire burning and maintain their star power within the celebrity culture which sees their popularity remain at a high level despite being past their prime years.
With that in mind, here are some of the main names currently in boxing and those who have the biggest claim to be the brightest star in the sport right now.
Floyd Mayweather Jr
Floyd Mayweather has been the biggest and most marketable name in boxing since his super-fight with former rival Oscar De La Hoya way back in 2007 when he earned a split-decision victory in what became the highest-grossing bout in history until that point in time.
He may have been retired properly from 2015 and since only delved into routine money grabs with Conor McGregor and Tenshin Nasukawa, but Mayweather still has a major hold over the sport. He boasts an unbeaten 50-0 record as a professional and is the most financially rewarded fighter in history.
Although the ‘Money’ man is constantly touted for yet another return to the ring, whether competitively or not, and he is currently seen as the odds-on 1/2 favorite in the latest boxing odds to beat long-standing rival Manny Pacquiao if the pair were ever to have a rematch.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez
Mexico’s newest boxing superstar. Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has taken over the mantle since Mayweather retired from the ring.
The now 29-year-old has shot to prominence in recent years and is now widely regarded as the pound-for-pound number one fighter on the planet. In 2019 alone he overcame both Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev to see himself crowned as the Fighter of the Year, further boosting his legacy already before even reaching the age of 30.
Canelo still has a long way to go in his career and by the time he eventually retires he will undoubtedly be one of the biggest and richest names to ever don a pair of gloves. Right now, he’s the one leading the way on the global stage for sure.
Anthony Joshua
Wladimir Klitschko, Anthony Joshua by by quapan (CC BY 2.0)
While Canelo is currently the main man when it comes to star attraction across the globe, Anthony Joshua is the biggest box-office draw in the UK.
The Englishman is without question the most marketable boxer on home territory, proven by that remarkable Wembley sell-out bout against Wladimir Klitschko back in 2017.
‘AJ’ tried to pursue a wider American audience earlier this year when he faced off with Mexican Andy Ruiz Jr but faced a shock defeat on his debut across the pond.
Although, that only helped his career publicity in the end as he eventually bounced back to regain his heavyweight world titles in a rematch and is now set up to arguably become the biggest name in the sport across 2020 if he chases the big-named bouts in the division.
