heavyweight best boxers of all time

Feel free to add your thoughts and comments! For example, they both had knockout power and they both used their size and strength to control their opponents in the clinch. Great fighter but mentally and emotionally not in the same class with the ones you listed. Signature technique:Bob and weave->Left hook to the head. But one needs to think in overall terms and career achievements. A staggering 49-0 record 43 of which by knockout and counting wins over the likes of Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore, Marciano was among the most feared heavyweights of all time. Tyson would have torn apart Holmes in any era. Nor did he obliterate a mediocre Tony Tucker, both title fights in 1987. Thats a really effective combination, especially when fighting against someone fast and slick, who like to move his head a lot. Holmes was a deadbeat along with Klitschko. Top 19 Heavyweights of all time - The Grueling Truth Today we rank the 20 greatest Heavyweights of all time, some on this list may surprise you while others may not. Twenty-five consecutive title defenses more than imprinted Louis as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. He was a bully and a quitter. Sonny Liston: In the late 50s and early 60s Liston devastated the division with knockouts over Cleveland Williams, Nino Valdes, Roy Harris, Zora Folley and Eddie Machen, before taking the title from Floyd Patterson in 1962. Then he just waited for his opponents to take the bait, so he can counter them with a short lead hook to the head. 'Bones' hasn't fought since picking up a controversial decision win over Dominick Reyes in . That allows you to mask your step and land the body shot. It is a damn shame and TRAGEDY what happened to Mike. Deontay Wilder! Dominant wins over Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo, Jimmy Ellis, Oscar Bonavena, Doug Jones, Bob Foster, Buster Mathis, Jerry Quarry and Joe Bugner prove the point. Primo Carnera (1928-1946, 89-14-0): 111.2, 48. Lennox Lewis is too low. The Jeffries fight was a huge event, but I didnt think this a popularity contest and I dont know how to explain that a 6-year retired ex-champion could be considered one of a guys best wins. A peak Tyson could not obliterate a mediocre Bonecrusher Smith, who had limited counter punching skills. A tall, rangy, Olympic gold medallist with a pulverising jab, high ring IQ and KO power, British-born Lewis could be even higher on this list. How can you leave him off. We saw the skill but we were ROBBED of the will, his future, and his full potential. A former champion in PRIDE and the UFC, he had an extremely impressive run from 1996 to 2006, where he went 28-3-1. As I already mentioned, with the drop step, Dempsey was able to hit really hard, regardless of the distance he did that from a long-range but also in the clinch. Worst list Ive ever seen Like most of the brawlers, Liston wasnt the fastest boxer which caused him problems against quick out-boxers, as you can see in his fight with Ali. A few years ago I've started boxing and I've quickly fallen in love with this awesome sport. And it was one of his main weapons. Henry Cooper (1954-1971, 40-14-1): 118.8, 42. The technique was simple he leaned all his weight on his front foot before throwing the punch. And they enabled him to vanquish, among others, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Gerry Cooney,Tim Witherspoon, Mike Weaver and Trevor Berbick. Unless perhaps Tyson Fury has anything to say about that. To be The Greatest, Ali needed rivals to push him and Frazier was one of his best. Following in Alis footsteps, Holmes could be as cold as Ali was charismatic but he could fight. However, Louis was able to take revenge for this match after two years. Tyson should be on here all right. Salesmanship? Manny Pacquiao: One of the dominant boxers of his time, Pacquiao has won ten world titles in eight divisions and defeated such champions as Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar DeLaHoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Timothy Bradley, Adrien Broner and Keith Thurman. The legendary Joe Louis was named the best of the best across all eras of boxing, with BoxRec awarding the 'Brown Bomber' a whopping 1,012 points. This is a list of current professional boxing rankings, which includes the latest rankings by each one of the sport's four major sanctioning bodies, . And Archie Moore and Ezzard Charles. Whos ranked an all time great? 49. 8. He peaked early, lost Cus DAmato, then lost all focus because he was very immature. Marcel Thil 68. Many have failed at this. However, what really puts Ali number one all time is his quality of opposition. 1 Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. (January 17, 1942 - June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, entertainer, poet, and philanthropist. He was a very patient fighter who wasnt always taking the risk to finish his opponents off. Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images. Well, at least Foremans hands. But in 2021, he made a comeback with BKFC, then had a boxing . Montreal is The Fight City. But when it came time for Tyson to fight top prime guys, Hes 0-6 in fights that actually matter. What is clear is the amount of opponents Tyson overwhelmed with his devastating power. Thats why many of his wins are on points (which wasnt highly appreciated by the fans, who want to see knockouts). Not to be mentioned is BS. Mike Tyson was the best fighter I ever saw. Cant believe some of these comments! With a sublime jab, toughness and an elite boxing brain, Holmes was a terrific all-rounder. Height: 6 ft 2 in. Sometimes he feinted a punch to the head but then went to the body. Holmes had been out of action 2 years and was 38. In 2005, Joe Louis was named the greatest heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organization. The top 10 heavyweights of all time Matt Christie lists the history's finest heavyweights 1. Holmes destroying Tyson? George Foreman has eclipsed boxing icon, Mike Tyson, as the all-time toughest heavyweight. But strictly off resume, he belongs closer to the bottom of this list than to the top. Gene Tunney (1915-1928, 79-1-4): 464.7, 6. Many cite this as a feat of Marciano. George Foreman. Eventually he would be being hit with pinpoint left hooks and right crosses. Signature technique:Lazy Jab -> Powerful cross to the head. 9) Sugar Ray Leonard. DAZN uses cookies to help us deliver our services and improve your user experience. He has done it all from being a boxing sensation to enjoying a successful career as an actor and a rapper. He reinvented himself over and over again. No Mike Tyson is a shame!! Give me a break. He should be considered as one of the best Lightweights of all time. The Fight of the Century in March 1971, when he handed Muhammad Ali his first loss, was proof of that. Sorry. His duels with George Foreman (Rumble in the Jungle, 1974) and Joe Frazier (Thrilla in Manila . 6. But he was also the greatest boxers who ever lived, There are several reasons why: But Muhammad did the complete opposite he crossed his feet by moving his right foot behind his left one while moving to his left. And he had a real power in his punches no matter what he was throwing. Bob Baker (1949-1959, 51-16-1): 134.4, 34. DAZN uses cookies to help us deliver our services and improve your user experience. All eyes will be on Jon Jones at UFC 285 as arguably the greatest MMA fighter in history makes his long-awaited return as a heavyweight after three years away.. Expectations are high as Jones, 35 . Sorry, if Holmes is on they should both be in the top 5. But they, too, are among the greatest of all time, so thats not too shabby. Boxing legends Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis have all secured a place in the top 10 heavyweight boxers of all time. The 10 Best Heavyweight Boxers In The World Right Now, Named And Ranked. Two comeback fights, when he was pushing 40, spoiled that record - but nothing can change the fact that he is indeed The Greatest. TGT Play! Odds Deals Podcasts US USA Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Louisiana Maryland Michigan New Jersey In such situations, he switched his stance into a southpaw and threw a lead uppercut with his right hand to the body, followed by another one to the head. Obviously, Liston has, by far, the longest reach in the heavyweight class back then. Johnson 12. Mike Tyson was in an awfully weak era. When talking The Greatest heavyweights, Alis name reigns supreme. Ruslan Chagaev (1997-2016, 34-3-1): 123.1, 38. "I'm fighting to be the greatest fighter ever, not to be the best pound-for-pound right now," Jones said. And the shots you dont see hurt the most. OP doesn't seem to be asking for P4P. The Best Cruiserweight Boxers of All Time 6 Manny Pacquio Super bantamweight, Flyweight, Welterweight 15,393 votes Age: 44 Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH ( PAK-ee-ow; Tagalog: [pkja]; born December 17, 1978) is a Filipino professional boxer and politician, currently serving as a senator of the Philippines. He competed from 1996 to 2007, 2009 to 2010, 2011 to 2015, and made a one-fight comeback in 2017. He is an out-boxer (someone who maintain a distance from their opponent and throws fast and long punches) but unlike the most out-boxers, he has knockout power in both his hands. Holyfield was a boxer-puncher. 11. When talking The Greatest heavyweights, Alis name reigns supreme. Throw in Norton, Quarry, Patterson, Lyle and Bonavena too. The video game? You can check out the heavyweights that finished outside of the top 50 over at BoxRec. Journeyman Leroy Caldwell fought many of the best heavyweights from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Tyson should definitely be in the top 10. That list is crap. He was doing that by keeping his lead hand low, making himself vulnerable for crosses. Literally knocking over tomato cans. But honestly, his career and overcoming personal obstacles along the way to date already have him among the greatest heavyweights of all time on our list. Apollo is hands down the greatest boxer in . And both components of his fighting game have been on display in all three of his fights against Deontay Wilder one of boxings biggest punchers of all time and his unanimous decision points win over Wladimir Klitschko. Lennox Lewis: Of all the legendary names to inhabit a heavyweight era in the 1990s that was one of the deepest in boxing history, Lewis might very well be its best and most complete fighter. Your email address will not be published. It fell apart too soon for the youngest ever heavyweight champ, whose life and career unravelled quickly - but in the 1980s Tyson tore through the division like nobody before or since. No iron Mike on top of the list? Lennox Lewis (1989-2003, 41-2-1): 547.9, 4. Shane Mosley couldnt beat Vernon Forrest, but who had the better career? THATs reality, Tyson fans. Roscoe Toles (1931-1950, 45-10-6): 140.1, 31. This site is owned and operated by Dimitar Ivanov. The combination is very tricky becauseby attacking the body first, he made his rivals lower their guards so they can block the body shots. A young Holmes most likely beats Tyson, but apart from that, Holmes is without a doubt in the top ten all-time, while Tyson, to the surprise of many, is not. In total, he participated in 31 boxing matches with 28 wins, only 3 losses, and 24 knockouts. Behind that crisp, piercing jab of his, Holmes enjoyed an eight-year run as world heavyweight champion, defeating the likes of Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers and Muhammad Ali along the way. Lets set the record straight. Holmes or V Klitschko never unified the title to become undisputed like the others. Joseph Louis Barrow (May 13, 1914 - April 12, 1981), best known as Joe Louis was an American professional boxer who competed from 1934 to 1951. 18.. Definitely, George Foreman is one of the most intimidating and exciting boxers to watch. The next time he changed levels like he is going to throw a body shot, but then he sprang up with a hook to the head. He was poorly managed and handled. Once boxers lose their quickness, theyre never the same. Cant overlook Holmes place in heavyweight history. Deontay Wilder (2008 - present, 42-1-1): 122.8, 39. Having held the world title for seven years, his late career comeback saw him defeat Ray Mercer and almost upset Oliver McCall. The first black heavyweight champion was a flamboyant, controversial character but in the ring he was a scientist. Tyson is in the top 5, hands down. Zora Folley (1953-1970, 79-11-6): 134.3, 35. For example against Sonny Liston, he was moving a lot, making him miss and countering him. Ali was definitely the most famous but also the most successful out-boxer. His fists were 14 inches around, which are the largest fists measured in the heavyweight boxing division. There was never a Plan B, and theres a point in every boxers career when hes going to need one. Alexander Povetkin (2005 - present, 35-2-1): 148.3, 28. Tyson Furys second title defence a sixth-round knockout of Dillian Whyte followed his October trilogy rematch victory over Deontay Wilder and kicked off more discussion as to where he stands among the greatest heavyweights of all time. George Foreman was a classical slugger (or brawler). I agree with you. Louis too, though I think Louis courage would put him over Tyson. Fury has combined pure boxing skills with underrated punching power to a supreme level amidst his growing dominance. Lennox Lewis: Defeats to Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, both of which he avenged with emphatic wins, do not obscure the fact that Lewis was the dominant heavyweight of the 1990s. But by doing that they often left their head open, which was a perfect opportunity for Iron Myke to land the knockout blow. Defeating a 26-year-old Michael Moorer at the age of 45 back in November 1994 to once again be crowned as heavyweight champion demonstrated how a heavyweights power is the last to leave his hands. Smokin Joedid most of his knockouts, with that punch, while he was walking his opponents down. Dont be a hater all your life! During the whole fight, he stood his ground and waited for Myke to attack first so he can counter him. That definitely wasnt the prime Ali but still, there arent many people who can say that they have a win over such a boxer. Cant understand this fixation with Tyson, all these guys mop the floor with Tyson. Mike Tyson started every fight by putting pressure on his opponents. TGT Tips! None of the fighters listed knocked out opponents the way Tyson did with speed and fury!!!! And he had more power than Ali, especially with his jab. Signature technique:Right uppercut to the body -> Right uppercut to the face. Melio Bettina (1934-1948, 83-14-3): 189.5, 20. Liston 13. So I know it reasonably well. So, without further ado, the best heavyweights of all-time. But can we put him up there with the absolute all-time greats just yet? And each of these incredible heavyweights did that: from titanic punchers to dazzling boxers. Tyson should be number 2 or 3. Look at the fear Tyson compounded with ferocious punches for Trevor Berbick, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Frank Bruno and Donovan Ruddock to name a few amidst his reign of terror during the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s. One of the favorite Holyfields combinations started with a quick jab to the head, then he lowered his body and head while making a step forward and throwing a lead a hook to the body. A jab and a right hand. I must say I like your list. Zurcher vs. Evans full card results. Rocky Maricano, Riddick Bowe, Jersey Joe Walcott, Floyd Patterson, Wladimir Klitschko, Ken Norton, Chris Byrd, Archie Moore, and Ron Lyle. Both fighters liked to jab their opponent while circling to their left. What time is Shevchenko vs. Grasso tonight? Here, DAZN lists its 10 Best Heavyweights of All Time, in no particular order. It is a city of fights and fighters, of hockey and heroes, of broken dreams and immortal glory, a city unlike any other. Marciano was a classical infighter. The only four-time heavyweight world champion in boxing history, Holyfields victory over Riddick Bowe and wins over Mike Tyson, in particular, more than illustrate his warrior footprint in the sport's lore. His style relied mostly on footwork, speed and timing. Evander Holyfield should be top ten. Signature technique:Right cross feint -> Right uppercut. Michael Hunter. When was Tyson ever able to overcome anyone who fought back? Required fields are marked *. He was good everywhere, no matter if he was fighting from the inside, or from a long distance. That way he stopped the punches even before they were thrown. Smokin Joe was an absolute buzzsaw. Thats why it was really hard to predict when Frazier was going to throw the left hook. And that was exactly what he did. Granted you can say in his era there was a lack of talent, but this is beyond his control. They usually, stay at a mid-range, in position dangerous for both for them and for their opponents. JOE LOUIS has been named the greatest heavyweight of all time by George Foreman - with Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson also on the list but no WBC champion Tyson Fury. He is where he belongs: Honorable Mention, with a lot of other very good but not great heavyweights. In this article we will list 10 of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. What time is Shevchenko vs. Grasso tonight? But when the other boxers came close to him, he transitioned to a crossguard so he can defend both his body and his head effectively. And Joe knew exactly how to do that he was able to time almost every punch and to dodge it or block it. Simple: no heavyweight in history faced, let alone defeated, a trio of deadly greats like Liston, Frazier and Foreman. But Marciano did one thing really well: win. Well, at least Foremans hands. His strategy basically was to jab his opponents from a distance where they cant reach him andoccasionally land some powerful straight rights. A metropolis where hundreds of young warriors train and battle each day in its many gyms, it is where Archie Moore, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Bernard Hopkins all found greatness. After three years in prison, Tysons quickness was gone. Ken Norton should get at least an honorable mention. When he was fighting with infighters, he just pushed them away as they tried to close the distance. Really? Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman. Tyson had little heart but plenty quit in him. The Easton Assassin was, for a long stretch, the most underrated heavyweight champion. But of course, there are some differences between both fighters. Muhammad Ali's comic line - "Earnie hit me so hard, it shook my kinfolk back in Africa" - was meant in part for laughs but you get his point. And every time they tried, he used that opportunity to land a right cross over their punch. Frazier was able to knock everyone out with it. Some sort of elaborate prank? And as we know, the sport never stops toevolves so Joshua has an unfair advantage over Ali. To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders, Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications, .css-n1h13z{color:black;color:#fff;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-n1h13z{color:#fff;}}Published14:07,30 August 2020 BST.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}}| Last updated15:48,12 August 2021 BST. Honorable Mentions:Joe Jeannette, Jersey Joe Walcott, Max Schmeling, James J. Corbett, Max Baer, Jack Sharkey, Sam McVea,Peter Jackson, Evander Holyfield, Tom Sharkey, Floyd Patterson, Mike Tyson, Wladimir Klitschko, George Godfrey, John L. Sullivan, Johnny Risko. Famous fight:Jack Dempsey vs Jess Willard. To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders, Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications, .css-n1h13z{color:black;color:#fff;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-n1h13z{color:#fff;}}Published10:53,03 September 2021 BST.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}@media (prefers-color-scheme:dark){.css-qdg7d1{color:#72B97D;}}| Last updated10:54,04 May 2022 BST. Rocky Marciano: With the highest knockout percentage of all heavyweight champions and boasting wins over such greats as Archie Moore, Jersey Joe Walcott, Joe Louis and Ezzard Charles, the undefeated "Brockton Blockbuster" proved himself a remarkable warrior. Muhammad Ali The Greatest was not only one of the best heavyweights of all time, he was also one of the most colorful. Does tag team boxing have a future in the sport? Lennox was most dangerous at a long distance where he can throw his right cross or uppercut with devastating power. It was avenged in devastating style: two minutes and four seconds of violence that left Schmeling with broken bones in his back. Note: keep in mind that, like all of our rankings, this is not a who-beats-who list, but one that emphasizes individual accomplishment in each fighters time and the quality of the opposition they bested (which is why, for example, we rate Joe Frazier above George Foreman). Dempsey 14. Muhammad Ali 2. Tyson is a video-game. However, Vitalis style was much more entertaining to watch and he was much more appreciated by the fans. It was a powerful, stiff jab and Liston put all his weight behind it to make it even harder, trying to knock his opponents out. 10 Best Undefeated Boxers in the History Ranked. He was a powerful puncher and the most relentless fighter ever. Most great boxers have done this and Lennox Lewis only lost twice and then won in the rematch. The Brockton Blockbuster owns the most famous heavyweight record: 49-0. His numbers speak for themselves: he got to 48-0 and 20 title defences before finally tasting defeat - controversially - to Michael Spinks when Holmes was closing in on his 36th birthday. And at the end of the day, the effectiveness of the technique is much more important than its appearance. Tyson better than Holmes? That way he was nullifying the reach and height advantages of his opponents. The Youngest Heavyweight Champion ever, a record that will never be broken, is the only true accolade Mike has to his name. He is like Morrison, as Stevey below says. Foremans last 10 opponents were unbeaten or just had 1 loss. Eventually, he knocked out Louis with a devastating uppercut putting an end to one of the best heavyweight boxing fights; still remembered by the people. Ketchel had no business at heavyweight. Few fighters have had the menacing aura Tyson carried to the ring and while brutal punch power was his trademark, peak Tyson also boasted fast hands, a sneaky jab, head movement and a strong chin. A three-time world heavyweight champion, Lewis outpointed Evander Holyfield (essentially twice), laid Mike Tyson flat on his back via a devastating knockout and let Vitali Klitschko know that hes not to be messed with as part of his polished resume. Or Williams, Ellis and Folley. Except that he was a fighter who occasionally, frustratingly, came in unprepared and fought below his level. Posted below are the top 50 heavyweight boxers of all time. McVea and Jeannette were great, but were at their best several years after they last fought Johnson. Another interesting fact about him is that he made an unexpected return after 10 years away from the right to become the oldest man who won the heavyweight title. He became a national hero at a dark time during the nation's history and a symbol of anti-Nazi sentiment leading into World War 2. Holmes 8. Evander also won their second fight after Tyson was disqualified after he bit Evanders ear several times but it was clear that Mike did that out of desperation. Boxing record: Total fights - 22, Wins - 20, Wins by KO - 14, Losses - 1, Draw -1. Credit: PA 50. MF & DAZN: X Series 005 Jay Swingler v NichLmao, Who won the PFL Challenger Series last night? 12. Larry Holmes: An awesome jab, a dangerous right hand, tremendous heart, and astonishing recuperative powers were among the attributes The Easton Assassin brought to the ring. With his 25 title defenses,Klitschko has one of the longest title reigns in the heavyweight division. Zurcher vs. Evans full card results. A true STUDENT of the sweet science. Only 2 losses, and he came back and rectified them. Holmes was completely washed up-way past his prime. Pro boxing record: 23 wins (20 knockouts). I think he is one of the greatest because of how better he was than his competition. Reviled early on in his championship reign, he eventually became nothing less than an American icon. Thats why Joe was usually setting his overhandup with a jab to the head. Vitali Klitschko (1996-2012, 45-2-0): 349.2, 11. Famous fight: Archie Moore vs Yvon Durelle I. Holmes style was similar to the style of Muhammad Ali (a classical out-boxer). Holmes defeated famous boxers including Trevor Berbick, Tim Witherspoon, Leon Spinks, Ken Norton, Gerry Cooney, and even the legendary Muhammad Ali. Final record: 66-3, with 52 knockouts. Joe Frazier: The man they called Smokin Joe doesnt get enough love on most ATG lists, but overlooked are two things: 1. Plus, he's the only heavyweight world champion to have finished his career undefeated. When you think of how hard it is to be a successful heavyweight boxer, (or even an unsuccessful one) it is amazing to consider that Mrs. Klitschko gave birth to two, who made it all the way. He spent five years of his prime in jail and then people fought him. Thats insane. Tyson gives up fast when he senses hes losing. No. What time is the Jay Swingler vs. NichLMAO fight tonight. A gift and a curse. After a standout amateur career, he turned pro in 1934. Wins over Jess Willard, Georges Carpentier, Jim Flynn, Big Bill Tate, Billy Miske, Luis Firpo, Gunboat Smith and Jack Sharkey. The list obviously includes the likes of Iron Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali but where do they fall on this boxing heavy Show chat replay. As did fights from the greatest of the greats, from Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali to Larry Holmes . Then he was quickly lifting it up while releasing the blow. The Rock from Brockton (his nickname) was one of the first boxers who developed this style of boxing. Leave Iron Mike out, Mike Tyson Likely Deserves Mention For His Impressive Wins Over Numberous Belt Holders Including Larry Holmes Trevor Berbick Frank Bruno James Bone Crusher Smith Bruce Seldon Michael Spinks Tony Tubbs And Tony Tucker. Jimmy Bivins (1940-1955, 86-25-1): 389, 7. Perhaps one of the best boxers in MMA history, Frankie Edgar often went into the Octagon with a solid game plan.