Sometimes boxers, beyond thrilling fans with the power of their punches, add a touch of flair through their behavior, their outfits, and their eccentric style. Is it a way to boost audience interest and increase media value? Sure. But the psychological impact of an “unconventional” attitude on opponents—irritating and throwing them off their game—should not be underestimated. Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of fighters dance, talk, and put on bizarre performances in the ring, drawing cheers from fans and fury from haters. Here are ten examples of true ring entertainers who managed to turn their fights into actual shows.
Sugar Ray Leonard
If going toe to toe with Roberto Duran didn’t work, why not drive him crazy with taunts and mockery? Only a madman would come up with such a strategy, but a “mad champion” like Leonard was able to pull it off. Twirling one arm before landing a punch with the other, grabbing the ropes for a tap dance, or sticking his face out to provoke his rival—“Sugar” loved all that, but he also knew when it was time to get serious.
Muhammad Ali
A master provocateur and the greatest in his sport, Muhammad Ali turned his explosive personality into a weapon arguably deadlier than his fists. His outrageous rhymes, the nicknames he gave opponents, and his unforgettable dancing around the ring caused many rivals to lose their focus and abandon their game plans. It’s no coincidence that many believe George Foreman lost to him before even stepping into the ring.
Tyson Fury
Modern boxing has its share of showmen too, and among the most flamboyant is the current heavyweight king, the Gypsy King himself. Fury once showed up to a world title press conference dressed as Batman. He’s not afraid to look eccentric—he loves it—and his personality has often been the extra gear that’s helped him achieve seemingly impossible feats.
Ricardo Mayorga
Dubbed “The craziest man in sports” and raised amid poverty and violence—his body still bears the scars—Mayorga never tried to polish his image with fame. He remained an incorrigible character. From smoking cigarettes in the ring after fights, to brawling at press conferences, to letting opponents hit him on purpose just to discourage them, “El Matador” has done it all.
Chris Eubank
The bell rings and one of the fighters stands frozen, posing like a statue with a smug look on his face. An absurd scene? Not if the boxer is Chris Eubank, whose ego, in the ring and in life, is second to none. His arrogance, however, was backed by immense talent, which is why he’s ranked among the greatest super middleweights of all time.
Hector Camacho
Perhaps the greatest ring showman ever was the legendary “Macho Man,” whose flashy costumes could have caught the eye of a blind man. Steve Farhood once said, “When he walked into a room, everyone looked at him,” a testament to his unmatched charisma and one-of-a-kind personality. His self-confidence made him as tough as nails—he was never knocked out in his entire career.
Naseem Hamed
Loved by his fans and loathed by his opponents’ fans, the British boxer of Yemeni descent didn’t believe in showing respect in the ring. Grimaces, provocations, laughter, and dance moves were all part of his act. He often dropped his guard entirely, daring his opponents to hit him—just moments before launching devastating punches of his own. His extravagant arena entrances only added to his over-the-top image.
Vinny Pazienza
Some discovered his story through the film Bleed for This, others by watching him fight. Either way, when Vinny Paz was in the ring, boredom wasn’t an option. From his flashy outfits to his high-energy style, the Rhode Island native loved rallying the crowd and triggering ovations. He was known for punching himself in the face to hype up fans and taunt his opponents.
Max Baer
One of the first boxers to understand the importance of turning fights into true shows was the fearsome slugger from Livermore. Laughing in his opponents’ faces to rattle them, clowning around to entertain the crowd, Baer gladly accepted his undeserved reputation as the “bad guy” of the ring. He knew that a fighter who broke the mold had a better chance of landing high-profile bouts.
Emanuel Augustus
It’s not unusual for a boxer to love reggae music—but dancing as if you’re listening to it in the middle of a fight? That’s rare. Nicknamed “The Drunken Master” for his unorthodox moves that made him look tipsy, Augustus was often punished by the judges, but he never gave up his wild and unique style. In doing so, he earned the love and respect of boxing fans everywhere.