Heavy Duty: The 10 Greatest Heavyweight Boxers of All-Time
Boxing Analysis: The 10 Greatest Heavyweight Boxers in History
Heavyweight boxing icon Lennox Lewis
Heavyweight boxers will always have a place at the top table in sports - but who are the greatest boxers in heavyweight history?
A heavyweight championship fight is The Blue Riband event, they are the big hitters, the main attraction, just like the 100m Final in athletics or the World Cup in football.
There are many heavyweights who have made the cross-over from sports to mainstream society - from iconic boxers like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson to today’s legends like Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
But who can truly lay claim to being ‘The Greatest Heavyweight of All-Time’? Boxing journalist Shaun Rye digs into his Top 10.
1. Muhammad Ali
Career Highlight Stats
He won the World Heavyweight title at age 22
Involved in the iconic “Rumble in the Jungle” fight
A human rights activist outside the ring
Simply The Greatest. After his fight against Sonny Liston, Cassius Clay - as he was known then - said, “I’m so bad, I’m so pretty, I shook up the world!”
He did just that as he picked up the World Heavyweight title at the age of 22. He had three reigns as World Champion and competed in one of the most fascinating eras in the sport’s history.
There have been bigger punchers and fighters with better records, but nobody could entertain or captivate an audience like Ali.
Whether through his poetic put-downs, his inimitable charm and charisma or his athletic performances, he did things in boxing that had never been seen before.
It wasn’t just the sizzling skills or wowing the crowd with an Ali shuffle to punctuate a good shot, but the fact that he turned up to opponents’ workouts, unsettling the mind of his foes before they even stepped in the ring.
He was the complete package, a one-off.
Ali was arguably involved in more ‘greatest ever’ bouts than any other boxer.
This includes his three bouts against bitter rival Joe Frazier (including fights billed “Fight of the Century” and “The Thrilla in Manila”) and the unforgettable “Rumble in the Jungle.”
The latter was a rope-a-dope masterclass against George Foreman - a man who had previously pummelled Joe Frazier and Ken Norton into submission. He was seen as the present and the future of the division.
All of these fights are unlikely to be eclipsed in terms of magnitude and drama!
A huge human rights activist, Ali also stood his corner outside the ring.
He refused to fight in the Vietnam war and according to trainer Angelo Dundee, lost three and a half years from the prime of his career as a result.
This may be true, but he still managed to carve out a stellar 21-year career that cemented his legacy as the greatest.
2. Joe Louis
Career Highlight Stats
The longest single reign as Champion (almost 12 years)
Nicknamed ‘The Brown Bomber’
He was only beaten three times in his career
‘The Brown Bomber’ had the longest single reign as Champion, nearly 12 years.
Joe Louis was one for the boxing purist, one might say the purest of pugilists, a fighter that was the epitome of the sweet science and a sound technician, many feel he was the ultimate boxer/puncher.
He had amazing balance and used his clever footwork to great effect.
Inching forward to cut off the ring before stepping back slightly to manipulate his opponent into moving into range, he would step to the left and then detonate his legendary right cross right through the middle of the target.
It was a unique technique, it was like a slingshot and thrown from behind his body, but with a certain speed and efficiency that prevented his opponents from countering. He likened it to a baseball throw.
Louis was a modest personality and was often overlooked in terms of opportunities because of the colour of his skin.
However, he built his reputation by fighting away from home, daring to foray into the cities and towns of his opponents, giving the home fighters’ fans an opportunity to see their man topple ‘The Brown Bomber.’
It rarely happened, and one of his biggest victories was the politically charged bout against the 6’6” giant and former World Champion, Primo Carnera, a fighter who symbolised Benito Mussolini’s regime.
He was only beaten three times in his illustrious career and remains one of the most mechanically proficient fighters we have ever seen.
3. Rocky Marciano
Career Highlight Stats
He had the perfect record: 49-0 (43 KOs)
Knockouts against opponents such as Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles and Joe Louis
Nicknamed ‘The Brockton Blockbuster’
The perfect record - 49-0 (43 KOs).
You can point to his rugged, uncompromising style or the fact that at 5’10 he was a lot smaller than today’s heavyweight breed, but what you can not dispute was his desire to succeed.
Considered one of the hardest hitters in boxing history, ‘The Brockton Blockbuster’ was a brute of a man and a relentless fighter.
He would just keep coming, catapulting sweeping left and right hooks from a low stance like the spheres of Newton’s cradle, crippling the ambition of his adversaries.
He did not always hit the target, but if he didn’t, he would keep throwing until he did.
Constantly switching target from body to head, this marauding, irrepressible approach brought him knockouts against revered opposition in the shape of Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Joe Louis and ‘The Old Mongoose’ Archie Moore.
He had a granite chin and had to fight through fire plenty of times, picking himself up from the canvas in fights against Walcott and Archie Moore, but he never knew when he was beaten.
That is why he takes the number three slot on our list.
4. Jack Johnson
Career Highlight Stats
The first black World Heavyweight Champion in 1908
He faced racism and prejudice throughout his career
Known for his rebellious boxing style
He was the first black World Heavyweight Champion, winning the title in 1908. It is impossible to imagine the prejudices that Johnson faced as he fought in the late 1800s/early 1900s, but nothing deterred him.
He was rebellious and unashamedly brazen. He refused to tame his indomitable style inside and outside the ring for anyone.
He was a skilful, but spiteful slugger and a figure that paved the way for future champions like Louis and Ali, despite at one time only being allowed to fight for the ‘Coloured Title.’
Rampant racism meant that a Jack Johnson victory often prompted riotous behaviour in the streets as the American press searched for a ‘Great White Hope’ to dethrone him.
He remains one of the most influential heavyweight boxers in boxing history.
5. Larry Holmes
Career Highlight Stats
Nicknamed ‘The Easton Assassin’
Recorded impressive victories against Ken Norton, Tim Witherspoon and Muhammad Ali
Champion from 1978-1985
When people talk about the best jab in the history of boxing, they will always mention Larry Holmes.
‘The Easton Assassin’ was champion from 1978-1985 and dominated the period that followed the Ali, Frazier, Foreman battle for supremacy.
Holmes suffered an upset defeat against Michael Spinks in 1985.
He was just one short of Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record at the time, but he had already recorded impressive victories against Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Gerry Cooney, Tim Witherspoon and former sparring partner Muhammad Ali.
Holmes handed Ali the only stoppage of his career and seemed visibly moved in the post-fight interview, showing the respect he had for the man he had just defeated so emphatically.
All of Larry Holmes’ losses were in World Title fights.
6. Jack Dempsey
Career Highlight Stats
Nicknamed ‘The Manassa Mauler’
Heavyweight champion between 1919 and 1926
Victories over Willard, Carpentier and Luis Firpo
It is important to acknowledge that, as well as having fantastic boxing attributes - an intense, aggressive style with explosive power - Dempsey also culturally helped shape the future of the sport with some mind-blowing record gates.
This includes the first million-dollar gate when he fought Georges Carpentier in Jersey City, Manhattan. The crowd was reported to be 80,183, though some insist it was closer to 90,000 (Yes, Carl Froch, we know).
‘The Manassa Mauler’ was heavyweight champion between 1919 and 1926 and won his title by defeating Jess Willard in three rounds and lost it to New Yorker Gene Tunney.
In a rematch with Tunney, Dempsey floored his opponent in round seven but refused to retreat to a neutral corner, instead standing over Tunney.
It brought about the controversy of ‘the long count’ that still stands today. Tunney got up before the referee counted him out, completed the 10 rounds and got the decision.
Jack Dempsey was a superstar and the victories over Willard, Carpentier and Luis Firpo give credence to his high standing.
7. George Foreman
Career Highlight Stats
He fought against Muhammed Ali in the “Rumble in the Jungle” fight
He ended his career 76-5 (68 KOs)
Two reigns as World Heavyweight Champion
Big George had the most destructive power. He was a mountain of a man. Few had seen such a heavy-handed force as he stormed the heavyweight scene like a human wrecking unit in the early ’70s.
He was a little crude and rough around the edges in terms of his boxing prowess.
However, the way in which he bulldozed Joe Frazier (dropping him six times) and bludgeoned Ken Norton inside two rounds suggested Foreman would signal the end of the old guard in the heavyweight division.
But they didn’t account for a resurgent Ali who systematically broke down Foreman in their “Rumble in the Jungle” fight in Zaire.
Foreman’s next defeat against Jimmy Young in 1977 prompted a 10-year hiatus from boxing.
When he made his return at the age of 38 in 1987, he rebuilt his career and incredibly, in 1994, he became World Champion once again, defeating Michael Moorer via knockout in round 10.
Twenty years separated his two reigns as Heavyweight World Champion and he remains the oldest heavyweight champion in history and the second oldest in any weight class.
He ended his career at 76-5 (68 KOs). With his tenure navigating the likes of Norton, Ali, Frazier, Morrison, Holyfield and Moorer, it is no surprise that he is mentioned as one of the greats.
8. Joe Frazier
Career Highlight Stats
Known for his formidable left hook
He was the first man to beat Muhammed Ali
He only lost to Muhammed Ali and George Foreman during his career
Joe Frazier was part of one of the most notable rivalries in the history of the sport.
‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s ill-tempered relationship with Muhammad Ali captured the imagination of a generation as the pair squared off three times during a golden era of boxing.
He was goaded perhaps beyond what was necessary in the lead-up to their first fight.
However, Frazier channelled his anger and turned in a vengeful performance scoring a unanimous decision points victory, sending Ali crumpling to the canvas in the process with a heavy left hook in round 15.
Nobody had hit Ali as hard and as often as he did. The other two encounters did not fail to disappoint either, both went the way of Ali but were epic, brutal and bruising affairs.
Known for his formidable left hook, the first man to beat Ali was a fighter also famed for his strength, his bravery and determination.
His bullishness has been likened to fighters like Rocky Marciano who featured in an earlier era.
Losing to only George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, he was a very special fighter and rightly takes his place with some of the all-time greats.
9. Lennox Lewis
Career Highlight Stats
His only career losses were to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman
Nicknamed ‘The Lion’
Former undisputed champion
Other than Rocky Marciano, Lewis is the only boxer (inactive) to beat every heavyweight he shared a ring with.
His only career losses were to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, which were emphatically reversed in rematches.
Lewis, nicknamed ‘The Lion’, took on all comers in a talent-laden period in the sport’s history. He had a fearsome but measured presence about him and was rarely ruffled or intimidated.
His career began to gather momentum after he obliterated Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock in round two. It was the first and last time that the bookmakers had him as the underdog.
He also beat Tony Tucker, fellow Brit and the nation’s darling Frank Bruno, Tommy Morrison, Ray Mercer, Andrew Golota, David Tua, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko.
It is a CV that appears more and more impressive as time elapses.
His tall, athletic physique had many boxing aficionados questioning whether the modern era of heavyweight would have caused problems for their predecessors.
Either way, Lewis did what he had to do and the former undisputed champion - and still the last man to do it in the heavyweight division - is undoubtedly an all-time great in boxing.
10. Evander Holyfield
Career Highlight Stats
He had his ear bitten off by Mike Tyson!
Two-weight World Champion - he started as a Cruiserweight boxer
The only four-time heavyweight World Champion in history
Moving up from Cruiserweight, Holyfield is the only entry on the list that is a two-weight World Champion.
Given the perceived ‘new breed’ of heavyweight, it is even more impressive that Holyfield was able to step up from Cruiserweight to compete with boxers like Ricky Bowe and Lennox Lewis, proving he really was ‘The Real Deal.’
Evander Holyfield, the only four-time heavyweight World Champion in history, enjoyed some of the most absorbing rivalries against Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson and fought Lennox Lewis twice.
His thrilling trilogy against Bowe, and the superiority he showed in his performance in the first fight against Tyson, will live long in the memory of fight fans, not to mention the incomparable moment his ear was bitten off by Tyson in their second fight.
Holyfield scored impressive wins against George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, James ‘Buster’ Douglas and Riddick Bowe. He also ran Lennox Lewis very close in a fight that was scored a draw.
A heavyweight star who will surely hold the tag of four-time heavyweight champ for a very long time indeed.
Who would you add to our list of the top 10 greatest heavyweight boxers of all-time? Tell us in the comments!
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