Even if you have the best footwork in the ring, a boxer with a long reach will keep you out of range with only a jab.
When used properly, a boxer’s arm length can be the deciding factor in winning a fight.
So which boxers have the longest reaches in boxing history? Keep reading to find out!
Longest Reaches In Boxing History
The boxers with the longest reaches in boxing history are:
- Gogea Mitu (93 inches)
- Julius Long (90 inches)
- Michael Grant (86 inches)
- Tyson Fury (85 inches)
- Efe Ajagba (85 inches)
- Lennox Lewis (84 inches)
- Sonny Liston (84 inches)
- Buster Douglas (83 inches)
Reach is important because it gives a boxer the advantage of having a greater offensive range.
It also means that his opponent has to travel a greater distance so that his punches will land.
This factor has more of an impact in the heavyweight class, where height and weight become less important.
Gogea Mitu
First, Gogea Mitu had the longest reach in boxing with a reach length of 93 inches.
He is also the tallest professional boxer in history and stands tall at 7’4″, earning him world records.
Known as the “Goliath of Romania”, he had two fights as a heavyweight boxer, winning them both by knockout in the first round.
Julius Long
Next, Julius Long had a reach length of 90 inches.
Known as the “Towering Inferno”, he had a less successful career as a journeyman fighter in the heavyweight division.
Despite his reach advantage for his fights, he ended his professional boxing career with a negative record of 20-24.
Outside of boxing, he’s found great success as a professional chef.
Michael Grant
Next, Michael Grant had a reach length of 86 inches.
Known as “Big”, Grant had a successful career in his professional fights, winning multiple belts.
He famously challenged Lennox Lewis for his titles in 2000 but didn’t last more than two rounds against the reigning champion.
Tyson Fury
Next on the list is Tyson Fury, with a reach length of 85 inches.
Still an active boxer and known in the ring as “The Gypsy King”, he’s the current WBC heavyweight champion.
In his fights, he dominates his opponents with his long jabs and power shots, making him of the great heavyweight boxers today.
Efe Ajagba
Next on the list is Efe Ajagba with a reach length of 85 inches.
Known as “The Silent Roller”, Ajagba is a Nigerian heavyweight boxer with a stellar record of 18-1-0 who earned the WBC International Heavyweight Title in 2023.
In action, he uses his arm length to keep his opponents out of attack range.
Lennox Lewis
Next on our list is Lennox Lewis with an arm span of 84 inches.
Known in the boxing world as “The Lion”, his long reach made his jab and straight right hand dangerous.
In addition to having a successful professional career in the heavyweight division, he also won a gold medal in the Olympics for boxing.
Sonny Liston
Next on the list is Sonny Liston with a reach length of 84 inches, helping him to defeat 39 of his opponents by knockout.
Known as one of the most intimidating men in boxing, Liston dominated the heavyweight division for most of his career.
Despite this significant reach advantage, Liston would lose twice for the world title to Muhammad Ali in 1964.
During his rematch with Ali in 1965, Liston got knocked down in the first round, leading many boxing fans to believe that the match was rigged.
Buster Douglas
Last on the list is Buster Douglas with a reach length of 83 inches.
He is most famous for his long-shot victory over Mike Tyson, one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
During this fight, Douglas used his 12-inch reach advantage over Tyson to knock him down and earn his place in boxing history.
Conclusion
Though some professional boxers have a long reach, it’s not always the deciding factor in who wins a fight.
Like weight, reach is an advantage only if a boxer uses it properly.
For example, Buster Douglas used his reach advantage well to defeat the favorite Mike Tyson. On the other hand, Ali (then Cassius Clay) danced around Liston’s reach advantage.
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