RECORDS are made to be broken, but some achievements seem destined to stand the test of time, etched into the history books as feats so impressive they border on the impossible.
Across centuries, sport has evolved dramatically. Rules change, safety measures tighten, and the level of talent rises higher than ever before.
Yet, in boxing, a sport that has transformed from bare-knuckle brawls to a global spectacle watched by millions, there remain records that feel untouchable.
From marathon battles that would never be sanctioned today, to fighters who defied common sense, boxing has produced moments that are as bizarre as they are legendary.
Here is a look at three of the craziest records achieved in the sweet science that may forever maintain their lineal status.
The human punching bag – Most career losses
The role of a journeyman is vital in boxing, keeping the sport’s ecosystem moving and providing emerging prospects with the experience they need to sharpen their craft before facing true competitive tests.
Perhaps no one embodies that role more than British super-lightweight Kristian Laight, who could be dubbed the “King of the Journeymen.”
Over a remarkable 15-year career, Laight stepped through the ropes 300 times, compiling a record of 12 wins, 279 losses, and nine draws.
He made his professional debut in 2003, dropping a unanimous decision to James Paisley, and finally hung up the gloves in 2018 after a bout with Luke Beasley.
Never going beyond a scheduled eight-round contest, the rightfully nicknamed ‘Mr Reliable’ shared the ring with a host of future title winners, including Kevin Mitchell, Derry Matthews and Zelfa Barrett.
The longest fight in history – Andy Bowen v Jack Burke
Boxing often treats fans to 12-round wars that leave everyone wondering whether the fighters who’ve spent 36 minutes trading everything they have will ever be the same again.
But on April 6, 1893, at the Olympic Club in New Orleans, “Iron” Andy Bowen and “Galveston Giant” Jack Burkedefied logic, and human endurance, by fighting for 110 rounds.
Their lightweight contest, fought under Queensberry rules, stretched to just over seven hours, making it the longest professional bout in boxing history.
Neither man showed any sign of surrender, but eventually the referee was forced to step in, declaring the fight a no contest as both were simply too exhausted to continue.
Burke had broken both of his hands during the marathon and spent months in recovery, while Bowen fought on in his career but tragically died two years later after striking his head on the canvas during a knockout loss to George “Kid” Lavigne.
No hand was raised that night, but both men etched their names into boxing folklore, setting a record that, in today’s era of 12-round limits and modern safety standards, will almost certainly never be broken.
The man who fought everyone – Most professional fights
There are few traits in boxing more respected than the willingness to face anyone, anywhere. But Leonard “Len”Wickwar took that idea to the absolute extreme.
Born in Leicester in 1911, Wickwar turned professional at just 17 years old. Over the next 19 years, he fought with a relentlessness that seems almost unthinkable today, averaging 20fights per year, and in some instances stepping into the ring more than 50 times.
By the time he retired in 1947, Wickwar had amassed 470 professional bouts, the most ever recorded, along with 342 victories, still a British record for career wins.
Yet despite that staggering workload and success, he never fought for a major world title. Instead, he became renowned as an ironman of boxing, the kind of fighter who kept the sport’s grassroots alive by always answering the call.
His final bout came in 1947 against Danny Cunningham, drawing the curtain on a career of unrivalled volume.
In today’s era of strict medical oversight, longer recovery times, and far fewer opportunities to fight, Wickwar’s record stands as one of boxing’s truly untouchable achievements.
