Ryan Garcia’s bold claim on US UK and Mexican fighters has got people talking and grabbed a lot of attention in boxing.
Garcia is currently one of America’s most well known professional boxers. He’s said that the best fighters in the world are US and Mexican fighters in boxing.
He said that US fighters have always been better than UK fighters but he does love the UK fans. This is causing a bit of a stir but what are the actual facts behind this.
In professional boxing history here is how the three countries have done for number of world champions produced — the facts.
| Country | Total World Champions | Source / Definition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Over 500 | WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, NYSAC, NBA + The Ring | The U.S. has produced the most world champions in boxing history. Exact count varies by criteria, but the U.S. is consistently cited as #1. Examples: Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Floyd Mayweather Jr. |
| Mexico | More than 150 | WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO | Mexico is #2 all-time for world champions. Notable: Julio César Chávez, Juan Manuel Márquez, Canelo Álvarez |
| United Kingdom | 137+ | WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO + NYSAC/NBA pre-1962 | List of British world champions includes Bob Fitzsimmons, Lennox Lewis, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley. Total count based on recognized champions from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland |
Key Facts & Context
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sanctioning bodies counted | WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO are the 4 major bodies recognized today. Pre-1962, “world” title was by public consensus, NYSAC, or NBA |
| Mexico’s ranking | Mexico is “the country with the second most world champions, behind only the United States” |
| UK’s first champion | Bob Fitzsimmons won world title in 1897 |
| First triple champion | Bob Fitzsimmons, UK — first boxer to win world titles in 3 weight classes: middleweight, heavyweight, light heavyweight |
| Most divisions won | Manny Pacquiao, Philippines — 8 weight divisions, more than any other boxer |
| Undisputed champions | Only 11 male boxers have held all 4 belts simultaneously since 2007. None from UK; US examples: Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr. |
Garcia’s claim does in fact check out when you look at the facts and numbers.
The US has produced by far more world champions in professional boxing history but the rivalry is an excellent one.
If Ryan Garcia were to box Conor Benn from the UK next, the build-up would be excellent.
That said, Devin Haney is ten times a bigger fight for Garcia — the rematch is a huge fight to make now worldwide.
Speaking of Mexico, Ryan Garcia was in attendance at the weekend at Cinco De Mayo 2026 at David Benavidez’ win over Gilberto Ramirez.
