The youngest boxing champions in history have proved that age is just a number. You can be any age and get a shot at the world title.
Some boxers have even won their titles as early as 17 years old.
At such a young age, these boxers were presented with the opportunity of a lifetime and made the most of it.
This article will give some of the youngest world champions in boxing.
Youngest Boxing Champions In History
Listed below are some of the youngest boxing champions and their ages.
- Mike Tyson (20 years, 4 months, 23 days old)
- Wilfred “El Radar” Benitez (17 years, 5 months, 24 days old)
- Jose “Pipino” Cuevas (18 years, 6 months, 21 days old)
- Tony Canzoneri (18 months, 11 months, 19 days old)
- David Benavidez (21 years, 8 months, 22 days old)
Most boxers have to wait and build their reputation before having a chance at a world title. For one, it may come in ten fights. For another, it may come in twenty fights.
Other fighters may spend their whole career knocking around the professional circuit, and never get a chance at a world title.
Often this is out of their control. A boxer can be in between contracts and managers, or there are no available title matchups.
What’s amazing about some of these boxers is how they earned their belts in full 15-round decisions.
To build a reputation and take the fast track to the top, a boxer will sometimes “pad” their record, racking up wins and early knockouts to build momentum.
Because of this, many young boxers don’t have the mental or physical training to last a whole fight.
Luck had a big part in bringing these matches together, but in the ring, luck was out of the question for these boxers. They seized the opportunity when it presented itself.
Mike Tyson
First on our list is Mike Tyson.
Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion at 20 years old, winning against Trevor Berbick. For Berbick, this was his first defense of his title.
With a second-round technical knockout in Las Vegas, Tyson claimed the WBC belt.
After this fight, he would continue to defend his title and win heavyweight championships.
Even though he already had 27 wins under his belt, Tyson was only 20 years old when he won the heavyweight title, showing his meteoric rise to the top.
Wilfred “El Radar” Benitez
Next, Wilfred “El Radar” Benitez is the youngest boxer on our list, becoming world champion at 17 years old.
A natural defensive talent, it was said that he rarely trained for a fight.
With his high school classmates in the crowd, he won a 15-round split decision against veteran Antonio Cervantes.
For the young Puerto Rican, this was his first world title for the WBA light welterweight belt and a highlight in his illustrious career.
Later he would go on to fight other boxing legends such as Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, and Roberto Duran.
Jose “Pipino” Cuevas
Next, Jose “Pipino” Cuevas would become world champion at 18 years old.
In a two round split decision, he defeated Angel Espada for the WBA welterweight title.
At this point, he already had experience in his belt as he started his pro career at the age of 14.
For the Mexican, this was the start of a long and successful career in the welterweight division.
Later on his career, he would go on to win other world titles and face other legendary boxers such as Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran.
Tony Canzoneri
Next, Tony Canzoneri became the NYSAC featherweight division at 18 years old against legendary boxer Johnny Dundee in a 15-round decision.
With this win, he would become the youngest boxing champion of his time.
An extremely active fighter, Canzeroni would take up to four fights in a month or up to thirty fights in a year.
Later in his professional boxing career, he would go on to fight other legends such as Kid Chocolate and Benny Bass, and would be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
Canzeroni was also one of the only boxers in history to have titles in three or more divisions.
David Benavidez
Lastly, David Benavidez earned his WBC super middleweight title at 21.
Winning against 31-year-old Ronald Gavril in a split decision, he would fight all 15 grueling rounds. At such a young age, this in itself is an amazing feat.
Turning pro at 16, he was already a seasoned veteran in the ring. It would only take him 5 years to win his first title at become middleweight champion.
Benavidez’s performances in these fights show that he had a boxing wisdom beyond his years.
According to BoxRec, Benavidez is currently enjoying a successful career, earning a record of 27-0.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned about some of the youngest boxing champions in history, it proves that age is just a number.
We think that all of the boxers on this list show a wisdom for boxing that goes far beyond their years.
First, it’s interesting to note that some of these title shots were against older veterans.
When age is pitted against experience, it’s hard to tell who will win. In these cases, raw energy and talent beats wizened experience.
Next, what’s amazing is that some of these fights went the distance to decisions.
For example, take Benavidez’s 15-round victory in his first world title claim.
Many young boxers don’t have the experience to know what happens past the 12th round.
Usually their amateur and early boxing careers are defined by early knockout victories.
Even if these boxers weren’t aiming for the title, winning against experienced fighters who know what it mentally and physically takes to perform in those later rounds is a feat in itself.
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