10 greatest parent-child boxing duos in the history of the sport
Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu and his son Tim are on their way to becoming one of the most-accomplished parent-child duos in boxing history.
In fact, they could end up No. 1 on the list. It all depends on how the unbeaten younger Tszyu does the rest of his career, starting with his U.S debut against Terrell Gausha on Saturday night at The Armory in Minneapolis (Showtime).
The competition actually isn’t particularly stiff even though the modern era of boxing is more than a century old. That’s because only one duo – father-son or father-daughter – can boast that both parent and child were truly great.
Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) certainly likes the idea of him and his pop making history together.
“I’m down for that,” he told Boxing Junkie. “That would be a goal for a lifetime if that could be done. I’d be happy.”
Here are the 10 duos against whom the Tszyus are competing (in descending order).
CHRIS EUBANK SR. AND JR.
Combined record: 77-7-2 (46 KOs)
The jury is still out on Chris Eubank Jr., as it is with fellow famous son Conor Benn. However, we feel Junior has done just enough to be on this list with his more-accomplished father. Some believe that senior (45-5-2, 23 KOs) has Hall of Fame credentials. The London native, who could box, punch and take a good shot, was a two-division titleholder who had a victory and draw against rival Nigel Benn, another potential Hall of Famer, and other important successes. Junior (32-2, 23 KOs) fell short in competitive fights with Billy Joe Saunders and George Groves but more recently beat James Degale and seems to be hitting his peak now. The Eubanks could climb this list depending on how Junior does going forward.
JOE AND MARVIS FRAZIER
Combined record: 51-6-1 (35 KOs)
The elder Frazier is universally seen as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Smokin’ Joe (32-4-1, 27 KOs) was a bobbing, weaving, left-hooking fighting machine who was Muhammad Ali’s arch rival and delivered a string of big victories. Marvis (19-2, 8 KOs)? Well, he wasn’t as bad as some might believe. He had natural ability and a solid amateur background, which prepared him for his professional career. The problem, according to some, is that he was rushed into his 1983 meeting with Larry Holmes – in his 11th fight – and was stopped in the first round, which ruined him. He had some good performances, including victories over James Tillis, Jose Ribalta and Bonecrusher Smith, after the setback against Holmes but then lasted only 30 against Mike Tyson and faded away.
FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR. AND JR.
Combined record: 78-6-1 (44 KOs)
We don’t need to discuss Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0, 27 KOs) here. Most observers agree that he’s one of, if not the best boxer of his generation and an all-time great. He’ll be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June. Senior (28-6-1, 17 KOs) is less celebrated, at least in terms of what he did in the ring in the mid-1970s and ’80s. He was a good fighter, by all accounts. He lost his biggest fights – a 10th-round KO against Sugar Ray Leonard and two decisions against Marlon Starling – but he was a quick-handed, slick boxer who was a legitimate contender. Leonard, for one, praised the elder Mayweather’s ability even after knocking him out. And, as Senior has pointed out, he injured his hand early in that fight.
GUTY ESPADAS SR. AND JR.
Combined record: 84-14-5 (56 KOs)
The Espadases were father and son bangers – and world champions – from Mexico. The 5-foot-tall elder Espadas (39-6-5, 28 KOs) won the WBA flyweight title by stopping unbeaten Alfonso Lopez in the 13th round and made four successful defenses, including another 13th-round KO of Lopez. His later second-round knockout loss to Chan Hee Park – in which Park went down once and Espadas twice – is a classic and good example of Espadas’ fighting spirit. Junior (45-8, 28 KOs) also was a warrior. He came up short twice against Hall of Famer Erik Morales but had victories over respected Luisito Espinoza (to win the vacant WBC featherweight title) and Bones Adams. Both Espadases had impressive careers.
JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ SR. AND JR.
Combined record: 160-12-3 (119 KOs)
Like the younger Floyd Mayweather, we don’t have to say much about Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. He’s one of the greatest who has ever laced ’em up. Junior is a different story. He is known as much for his missteps as for anything he accomplished in the ring. That said, we must acknowledge that he was born with some ability and an iron chin. And, yes, he had his moments as a professional boxer. He took the WBC middleweight title from Sebastian Zbik and then had his best run, successfully defending against Peter Manfredo, Marco Antonio Rubio and Andy Lee. He lost his title to Sergio Martinez but almost took out the Argentine in the final round. He didn’t do much after that but he made his mark. This father-son duo was formidable.
WILFREDO VAZQUEZ SR. AND JR.
Combined record: 82-16-3 (61 KOs)
Both father and son were among the best in their divisions at their respective peaks. Senior (56-9-2, 41 KOs) was a dynamic, hard-punching fighter who won major titles in three weight classes. His most significant victory was a split decision over still-formidable Hall of Famer Orlando Canizalez in 1995 but he had other important wins and some disappointing losses. He’s seen as underappreciated by some historians. Junior (26-7-1, 20 KOs) wasn’t as accomplished but he did win a major title and was consistently competitive in a deep 122-pound division over several years. He didn’t do as well when he moved up in weight but he’s remembered as a good fighter. Puerto Rican fans should be proud of their native sons.
LENNY AND RAY MANCINI
Combined record: 75-17-3 (39 KOs)
This pair could’ve been No. 1 under different circumstances. Ray (29-5, 23 KOs) took the WBA lightweight title from Arturo Frias by a sensational first-round knockout in 1982 and eventually landed in the Hall of Fame. The brawler also was one of the most-popular fighters of his era. Lenny was probably the better fighter of the two. He was the top lightweight contender shortly before the U.S. entered World War II, when there was only one champion and the talent pool was deep. Lenny fought on even terms with champions like Sammy Angott and Marty Servo, which says a lot about his ability. Alas, before he was able to fight for the title, he went off to war, was wounded and was never the same. His is one of boxing’s sad what-if stories, although he got to see his son become champion.
MUHAMMAD AND LAILA ALI
Combined record: 80-5 (58 KOs)
We obviously don’t need to discuss Muhammad Ali in depth. He was the greatest. And, as things turned out, Laila arguably became the greatest female fighter of all time. Muhammad (56-5, 37 KOs) was a perfect storm. He had otherworldly natural gifts, he fought during the golden age of heavyweights and he had a bigger-than-life personality. And, of course, he delivered in the ring. That was a tough act for Laila (24-0, 21 KOs) to follow but she had great success. The pool of elite female super middleweights during her time wasn’t deep but she beat everyone placed in front of her, including fellow Hall of Famer Christy Martin. She was a chip off the old block if there ever was one.
FLOYD AND TRACY HARRIS PATTERSON
Combined record: 118-16-3 (83 KOs)
Floyd Paterson (55-8-1, 40 KOs) is boxing legend. He won the middleweight gold medal in the 1952 Olympics and went on to become the youngest heavyweight champion up until that point even though he started his pro career at what today would be a super middleweight. He beat the great Archie Moore to win the vacant title in 1956. He went on to have a classic three-fight series with Ingemar Johansson, winning the second two. His title run ended when he ran into fearsome Sonny Liston but he had earned a place in the Hall of Fame. Tracy (63-8-2, 43 KOs), Floyd’s adoptive son, was an entertaining warrior who won titles in two divisions. He went 1-0-1 in two fights with Hall of Famer Daniel Zaragoza, which gives you an idea of his ability.
LEON AND CORY SPINKS
Combined record: 65-25-3 (25 KOs)
Some will find this choice strange because neither of the Spinks was a great fighter. They landed here because Leon did some great things and Cory was a superb boxer. Leon (26-17-3, 14 KOs) won the light heavyweight gold medal in the 1976 Olympics, the Games in which Sugar Ray Leonard had his coming out. And he beat a 36-year-old Muhammad Ali to win the heavyweight title in his eighth professional fight, which was one of the great feats in boxing history. Cory (39-8, 11 KOs) was a two-division titleholder who lineal welterweight champion, which was a special accomplishment. He defeated a string of notable fighters, including Jorge Vaca, Rafael Pineda, Ricardo Mayorga, Zab Judah and Miguel Angel Gonzalez. He was super quick, super athletic and super skillful.
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