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Who Are The Best Hungarian Boxers of All Time?
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Hungary may be a nation of less than 10 million people, but throughout the years, this central European country has punched well above its weight class. Stick around as we reveal the greatest boxers from Hungary to ever lace a pair of gloves!
László Papp The Undisputed GOAT
László Papp set the standard for excellence in Hungarian boxing. He was born in Budapest in 1926 and was an incredible three-time Olympic gold medalist, tasting victory in 1948, 1952, and 1956. His victories in the middleweight and light-middleweight divisions remain an unmatched accomplishment in Hungarian boxing history.
Papp didn’t rest on his Olympic laurels; he then went on to the professional ranks, where he amassed a record of 27-0-2 and retired undefeated. Papp inspired Hungarians across the country to watch and bet on boxing. One of boxing’s biggest travesties is that Papp never got a world title shot.
István Kovács The Cobra
István Kovács has done it all in the boxing ring and now works in an administrative role in boxing and is in charge of sanctioning major fights like Pacquiao vs Bradley and the upcoming Anthony Joshua vs Otto Wallin match. The Joshua vs Wallin odds have Joshua as a clear favorite, and a knockout is likely! The Budapest native dominated the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, USA, and took home the gold medal for Hungary. Then, the next year, not satisfied with his Olympic gold medal, took first place at the World Boxing Championships.
Kovács then turned professional and had a career that any boxer would dream of. Under the tutelage of East German trainer Fritz Sdunek, he quickly amassed a record of 10-0. In January 2001, on his 20th pro fight, Kovács knocked out the tough Diaz in the final round and became Hungary’s first pro boxing world champion.
