Many anime characters rise in popularity, but none make as big a splash as the boxers in anime. The characters that climb their way to the top using nothing but their fists and their own strength inspire those as living proof that anything can be accomplished with hard work.
The strongest boxers in anime are known for their devastating power, unflinching dedication, and love for a good fight. Whether they are able to punch down a brick wall, shrug off devastating damage and remain on their feet, or able to go ten rounds without getting a scratch, the strongest boxers are celebrated and the hands-down, the toughest of the tough. Here are the strongest boxers in anime.
7 Levious Cromwell - Levious
Levious Cromwell stepped into the twisted world of Metalboxing with the goal of being the best. Metalboxing being a sport where contestants modify themselves with cybernetics; Levious was modified young after being disfigured during the war, having lost one of his arms.
Levious is a dedicated and skillful boxer, level-headed in the ring, and a strong puncher. His wit keeps him ahead of the game, and he focuses on breaking down his opponent instead of overpowering them. Compared to other boxers, Levious is a calm and sensitive person; while he has a thirst for victory, he doesn't let it consume him. Levious is a CGI anime published by Polygon Pictures and created by Haruhisa Nakata
6 Joe - Megalobox
Megalobox is another boxing anime set in the distant future where the sport has evolved using cybernetics. This anime was created by TMS Entertainment and directed by Yo Moriyama. Megalobox is a homage to the Ashita No Joe (Tomorrow’s Joe) released on its 50th anniversary. The series' main character, Joe, is a low-level Megaloboxer throwing fights to scrape by and survive in the slums.
He and his partner Nanbu hit a lucky break and gained entry into the professional Megaloboxing league with the help of some shady characters. As Joe steps into the rings with strong fighters and better gear, his own gear breaks, and he has to fight with his natural strength. Joe's dark ambitions of chasing an adrenaline rush are granted as he risks his life in the ring with no protection and puts his chin to the test against cybernetically enhanced fighters.
5 Yuri - Megalobox
Yuri is the main antagonist of Megalobox and the top fighter in the sport. He is backed by the lead Megaloboxing tech company and enhanced with the top gear. When he meets Joe for the first time, he fights Joe having little respect for his skill. The fight ignites an intense rivalry, and as Joe climbs the ranks, defeating the best boxers in the league without gear.
Yuri’s passion for boxing is reunited. Yuri is a dedicated and calculating boxer that overwhelms his opponents. Still, his honor and respect for Joe lead him to remove his gear and fight his rival on equal footing, fulfilling both of their desires to leave it all in the ring.
4 Muhammad Ali - Baki
Muhammad Ali’s legacy echoes outside of reality into many forms of pop-culture. The greatest boxer of all time has branched out into film, comics, and anime. Muhammad Ali has most recently appeared in the martial arts anime Baki as a recurring character.
Ali does not fight in the anime but is a highly praised fighter, even when compared to the series antagonist, Yujiro Hanma. Ali’s fictional son in the series takes a more prominent role, taking on the show's main protagonist, Baki. After a loss, to teach his progeny a lesson, Ali and Ali jr spar, and Ali returns to his former prime and decimates young Ali Jr. Ali echoes power, speed, and skill as being the best fighter in the world, pound for pound.
3 Joe Yabuki - Tomorrow’s Joe
Tomorrow’s Joe is the boxing anime that paved the way for most sports anime of today. Created by Asao Takamori, the series followed Joe Yabuki and his rise to glory from delinquent street punk to a boxing champion. Yabuki was a teenage hoodlum that struck first and asked questions later. When he joined up with a former champion turned vagabond, he began his journey to professional boxing.
Joe was a vicious and powerful self-taught fighter who always left his opponents on the mat. Behind the scenes, Joe was fighting in and outside the ring dealing with the demons of his past, which sometimes caused him to make rash and unfortunate decisions. Joe goes down in history as the first and great boxer in anime.
2 Ippo Makunouchi - Hajime No Ippo
Hajime No Ippo is a boxing anime that defined a new generation; created by George Morikawa and, since its original release, has become one of the most successful Manga in history, winning several awards. The series follows a young high-schooler named Ippo who, after being bullied, encounters a strong Boxer by the name of Takemura.
Ippo is infatuated by the world of boxing and begins to train. In no time, Ippo is fighting professionally and is known for his unstoppable, unmatched power. Ippo’s heart and devastating knockout power take him all the way to the top of the world, where he wins the featherweight championship and stands at the top with other legendary fighters.
1 Takemura - Hajime No Ippo
Takemura is a beast of a man and a fighter in Hajime No Ippo. Growing up somewhat of a hoodlum and having hundreds of street fights, Takemura was scouted by the head of a boxing gym, Genji Komogawa, who took the young Takemura under his wing.
As a result, Takemura becomes one of the strongest boxers in Japan, reaching all the way to the top and claiming the world championship in the heavyweight class. While Takemura started off as a goalless punk, he became a faithful boxer with respect for the sport, even if he retained some of his unwanted personality traits.