Ring walks. Love them or hate them, they’ve become part of the boxing spectacle. Some are full of smoke and flashing lights, while others are stripped-back, raw, and straight to business. For many fans—especially the newer, more casual crowd—the entrance is as much a part of the show as the fight itself.
Now, I’ll be honest with you—I’m a bit of a boxing purist. To me, all the flashing lights, fancy costumes, and dramatic background videos belong more in a WWE ring than a boxing one. For years, I couldn’t stand the over-the-top ring walks. I always believed that once the bell rings, it doesn’t matter what you wore or how you got there—it’s about skill, grit, and heart.
But over time, I’ve come to accept that boxing is no longer just a sport. It’s entertainment too. And in today’s fight game, the right entrance can make headlines just as much as the right hand.
That said, there’s a line—when a fighter starts blaming their entrance for a poor performance (yes, I’m looking at you, Deontay Wilder and your 40-pound costume excuse), that’s where I draw the line. If your walkout is more memorable than your performance, something’s gone wrong.
Let’s dive into some of the greatest boxing ring entrances of all time—some that made the hair stand up on the back of your neck, and others that just made you shake your head.
Prince Naseem Hamed – The Flying Carpet Showstopper
If there was ever a man who turned the ring walk into a performance art, it was Prince Naseem. One of the most flamboyant fighters the sport has ever seen, Naseem didn’t just walk to the ring—he floated to it.
His 1995 entrance against Manuel Medina, where he rode in on a flying carpet, is the stuff of legend. Laser shows, fireworks, and Michael Buffer on the mic—he made boxing feel like a Vegas headliner. And to be fair, he usually backed it up with dazzling in-ring displays and highlight-reel knockouts.
But even as a purist, I have to admit—Naseem’s entrances were part of his psychological warfare. He wasn’t just showing off for the cameras; he was getting inside his opponents’ heads before the first bell.
Read more on Prince Naseem’s career at BoxingScene
Mike Tyson – No Music, Just Menace
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, we have Mike Tyson. No music. No flash. Just a slow, silent march to the ring—like an executioner going to work.
Tyson didn’t need pyrotechnics. His presence alone was enough to make grown men question their career choices. Dressed in nothing but black trunks, black boots, and a towel with a hole cut in the middle, Tyson looked like someone from your worst nightmare. His ring walks were cold, clinical, and absolutely chilling.
This is what I still consider the gold standard of the greatest boxing ring entrances—simple, terrifying, and brutally effective.
Read about Tyson’s entrance style in-depth on The Ring Magazine
Deontay Wilder – When Theatrics Go Too Far
Wilder took things in a completely different direction. Over the years, he’s made his way to the ring in masks, LED armour, and full supervillain-style outfits. Some of it looked cool. Some of it looked like cosplay. All of it was entertaining.
But here’s where I take issue—after his loss to Tyson Fury in 2020, Wilder claimed that the 40-pound costume he wore during his entrance drained his legs and contributed to his defeat. For me, that’s exactly the problem with these theatrical walkouts. If your outfit is affecting your ability to fight, then you’ve prioritised the wrong part of the show.
I know many fans love his entrances, and fair enough. But when style becomes more important than substance, that’s when I switch off.
Explore Wilder’s ring walk evolution at DAZN
Floyd Mayweather – The Celebrity Walkout
If Tyson was all business, Floyd Mayweather was all brand. His ring entrances were designed to send a message: I am money. He’s been flanked by Justin Bieber, accompanied by Lil Wayne performing live, and even donned a sombrero to troll Oscar De La Hoya in 2007.
Mayweather’s entrances weren’t always intimidating, but they were calculated. Every step to the ring was part of the marketing machine. And say what you want about Floyd—he understood the business better than anyone.
I never loved his walkouts personally, but I can’t deny they helped build the Mayweather brand into a global empire.
Revisit Mayweather’s walkouts on ESPN
Tyson Fury – Chaos with a Microphone
The Gypsy King is the closest thing we’ve got to Prince Naseem these days—only with even more chaos. He’s walked out dressed as Apollo Creed, danced to Crazy by Patsy Cline, and sang live after fights. There’s no predicting what he’ll do next.
As someone who prefers a more stripped-down approach, I’ve rolled my eyes at a few of Fury’s entrances. But I also get it—he’s bringing joy, unpredictability, and a bit of theatre to the heavyweight scene.
What makes Fury’s ring walks work is that they reflect his personality. He’s never trying too hard—it just seems to come naturally.
See Fury’s top entrances at Sky Sports Boxing
Other Notable Entrances Worth Mentioning
- Chris Eubank Sr. – Swaggered to Simply the Best like a man who’d already won. His ring walks had arrogance, style, and serious showmanship.
- Anthony Joshua – AJ doesn’t need gimmicks. His entrances are always sharp, classy, and focused. You know what you’re getting.
- Bernard Hopkins – Dressed like the Grim Reaper long before ring walk costumes became trendy.
- Vasiliy Lomachenko – A master of footwork, his entrances are smooth and no-nonsense—much like his fighting style.
These names didn’t always go over the top, but they all left an impression. That’s what the greatest boxing ring entrances do—they create a moment before the first punch is thrown.
What Really Makes a Great Ring Entrance?
For me, it’s simple: it should reflect the fighter’s identity without overshadowing the fight. Tyson’s silence, Naseem’s swagger, Fury’s flair—it all works if it adds to the atmosphere and doesn’t become a distraction or an excuse.
The best entrances get the crowd hyped, rattle the opponent, and stay with you long after the fight’s over.
What’s Your Favourite Entrance?
So now it’s over to you—what do you think makes the greatest boxing ring entrances? Do you prefer the old-school intimidation, or the full-blown Vegas-style production? Did I miss one of your favourites?
Let’s get the debate started.
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Let’s keep boxing real.
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