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John Lawrence Sullivan recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing photo by José María Mora –

15 Best Heavyweight Boxers Of All Time

The boxing heavyweight division has seen its fair share of some of the sport’s most talented boxers. The division’s rich history is nothing short of incredible, given that the athletes have been famed for their extraordinary performances in the ring. These athletes display incredible skill and bravery, giving their fans jaw-dropping performances. These heavyweights have reaped the most benefits from the sport due to their distinct styles, tactics, and strategies. They come from various cultures, eras, and backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common in the sport: success. 

These legendary boxers have cemented their names in the annals of greatness as their legacies continue to inspire new generations of boxers. They have left an indelible mark on the history of the sport by breaking barriers, defying logic, and achieving the best of the best. It is because of them and their contributions to the game that we see its current perception. As their stories continue to be told, let us pay tribute by listing 15 of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.

1. Muhammad Ali

Bust photographic portrait of Muhammad Ali in 1967. World Journal Tribune photo by Ira Rosenberg. –

Muhammad Ali is widely considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, as well as one of the most influential sports figures of all time. There is little doubt that he has had a significant impact on the sport, as evidenced by his loud trash talk, clever footwork, and the Ali Shuffle. The bulk of today’s fighters usually emulates their actions and talents while holding the heavyweight title.

With victories against Floyd Patterson, George Foreman, and Joe Frazier, he undoubtedly established himself in the incredibly talented heavyweight category. His record of 56 wins and only 5 losses in 61 matches, combined with his political activity and natural charm, made him deserving of the title “The Greatest.”

Related: Top 10 Captivating Facts about Muhammad Ali

2. Rocky Marciano 

Black & White postcard of World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano photo sourced from

Rocky Marciano, real name Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was a professional boxer in the United States from 1947 to 1955. He was the world heavyweight champion from 1952 through 1956.

Rocky Marciano is boxing’s only undefeated heavyweight champion. He finished with a record of 49-0 and 43 knockouts. Marciano defeated Louis in what was to be his final fight. “The Rock” as he was famously called defeated Jersey Joe Wolcott twice, and in his final battle in 1955, he defeated the legendary Archie Moore. Marciano considered making a comeback in 1959 but never did.

3. Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson, African-American boxer and world heavyweight champion photo sourced from

American boxer Jack Johnson, whose real name was John Arthur Johnson, made history by becoming the first black heavyweight champion. He is regarded by many boxing experts as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Jack Johnson defeated the “Great White Hope,” James J. Jeffries, on December 26, 1908, in the “Fight of the Century,” becoming the first black heavyweight champion in history. He was an important character in both boxing and American culture, and he was renowned for his tremendous strength and tenacity in combat.

He was the successful owner of a thriving, segregated nightclub, but he was dogged by controversy because of his marriage to a Caucasian woman and his generally unrepentant behaviour. He remained a proud and honourable man despite the abuse he received, and the other boxers and many current fighters continue to be motivated by his memory to achieve greatness.

4. Joe Louis

Portrait of boxer Joe Louis by Carl Van Vechten –

Joseph Louis Barrow was a professional boxer fighting from the United States from 1934 to 1951. Louis is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential boxers in history, gaining the nickname “Brown Bomber.” He held the world heavyweight championship from 1937 until his brief retirement in 1949. He set a record for all weight divisions by winning 25 consecutive championship defences. Louis has had the most successful single reign as a boxing champion.

Inside the ring, Joe Louis was well ahead of his time, and he is frequently credited with inventing the modern straight punch. Louis, on the other hand, experienced heinous racial persecution. He was left in debt and had to return to the ring in 1951 after being forced to retire as a result of the government charging charitable fights used to raise funds for the war effort to Louis’ wage. Louis remained a kind and giving person throughout, and with the help of friends, he was able to live comfortably until the end of his life.

5. George Foreman

Boxer George Foreman photo by el grito –

Former professional boxer George Edward Foreman, also known as “Big George,” competed from 1967 to 1997. During his career, he earned a gold medal at the Olympics and two heavyweight world championships. He is well known as the founder of the George Foreman Grill.

He is remembered for both his enormous punching strength and his miraculous comeback, which culminated in him winning the world title again after losing it in the infamous “Rumble in the Jungle” two decades earlier. He is one of boxing’s most powerful punchers. Foreman will always be known for his horrific knockouts of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton as well as his illustrious brawl with Ron Lyle.

6. Joe Frazier

Joe Frazier photo by John Mathew Smith –

American professional boxer Joseph William Frazier, also known as “Smokin Joe,” competed from 1965 until 1981. He was renowned for his strength, toughness, lethal left hand, and constant pressure fighting style. He is phenomenal as he was the first boxer to defeat Muhammad Ali. From 1970 until 1973, Frazier held the title of undisputed heavyweight champion. He had earlier won a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics while competing as an amateur.

On his way to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970, Frazier emerged as the leading contender in the late 1960s, defeating opponents like Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, George Chuvalo, and Jimmy Ellis. He then defeated Ali by unanimous decision in the much-anticipated Fight of the Century in 1971. He lost rematches against George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, yet he is still regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time and ranks among the best African American boxers.

7. Mike Tyson

Boxer Mike Tyson in the ring at Las Vegas, Nevada photo by Octal@Flickr –

Mike Tyson competed as a professional boxer from 1985 to 2005. Tyson is regarded as one of the best heavyweight fighters of all time. He held the title of undisputed heavyweight world champion from 1987 to 1990. Twelve of Tyson’s first 19 professional fights were knockouts, all in the first round. Tyson holds the record for being the sport’s youngest heavyweight champion after capturing his first title at the age of 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days.

He possessed strength, punching ability, and dominance beyond all else. Iron Mike was a true force from the beginning of his career, when he proved to be the baddest man on the planet, to the dreary days of the end of his boxing career. His early demonstrations of brutal dominance—victories over Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, and Frank Bruno—were early examples, and his weaknesses didn’t surface until near the end of his career. All it took was one blow to end a fight when Tyson was at his best.

Read More: Top 10 Amazing Facts about Heavyweight Legend Mike Tyson

8. Evander Holyfield

Evander Holyfield’s statue at Madame Tussaud’s in Washington photo by cliff1066 –

American former boxer Evander Holyfield competed professionally between 1984 and 2011. He was the only boxer in history to have won the undisputed championship in two weight classes during the three-belt era, at cruiserweight in the late 1980s and heavyweight in the early 1990s.

Holyfield is the only four-time world heavyweight champion. He held the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles simultaneously from 1990 to 1992, the WBA and IBF titles once more from 1993 to 1994, the third WBA title from 1996 to 1999, the third IBF title from 1997 to 1999, and the fourth WBA title from 2000 to 2001. When adult professional boxers were running from “Iron” Mike Tyson, Holyfield not only faced him in the ring twice but also defeated him both times! Holyfield finished his career with a record of 10 losses and 47 victories.

Also Read: 15 Best Cruiserweight Boxers In History

9. Lennox Lewis

Lennox Lewis at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival. photo by gdcgraphics –

Lennox Lewis is a former professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2003. He currently works as a boxing analyst. He is a three-time world heavyweight champion, a two-time lineal champion, and an undisputed heavyweight champion. Lennox was just magnificent in the ring and had the power to rule when called upon. With victories over notable opponents like Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson, he was representing Britain in the best possible shape for boxing (albeit both Mike and Evander were beyond their prime).

In a gruelling and bloody fight, Lewis overcame Vitali Klitschko in 2003 to claim the heavyweight title. Several people consider him to be among the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time as well as one of the best British fighters ever.

10. Larry Holmes

The Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes photo by TSGT W.D. Boradman –

Former American professional boxer Larry Holmes competed from 1973 to 2002 and held the world heavyweight championship from 1978 to 1985, successfully defending it. The left jab used by Holmes is frequently recognized as one of the best in heavyweight boxing history. Holmes held the WBC heavyweight title from 1978 to 1983 in addition to the Ring magazine and lineal heavyweight belts from 1980 to 1985. He also held the first IBF heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985.

With 69 victories and 6 losses, all of which came in world title fights, Holmes retired at the age of 52. Holmes is recognized as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and was inducted into both the World and International Boxing Halls of Fame. He was the last active boxer and the only one to have defeated Muhammad Ali via stoppage.

11. Sonny Liston

Photograph of the American boxer Sonny Liston (left) during his visit to Finland photo by Lehtikuva –

American professional boxer Charles L. “Sonny” Liston competed from 1953 till 1970. He beat Floyd Patterson in the first round to win the world heavyweight and then repeated the same the following year to defend it. In the latter bout, he also became the first WBC heavyweight champion. He was a dominant contender of his time. Particularly well-known for his great strength, powerful jab, long reach, toughness, and notoriously menacing demeanour, Liston was a formidable force in the heavyweight division. In 1991, he was admitted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

12. Gene Tunney

Portrait of boxer Gene Tunney photo by Harris & Ewing Collection –

 Gene Tunney competed from 1915 to 1928. He twice won the American light heavyweight title between 1922 and 1923. In the light heavyweight division, Tunney, a very talented boxer, battled Harry Greb five times where he prevailed three times, lost once, and drew once. Moreover, Tunney eliminated Georges Carpentier and twice overcame Jack Dempsey, once in 1926 and again in 1927.

The victorious title defence of Tunney versus Dempsey, one of boxing’s most well-known contests, is referred to as The Long Count Battle. After defeating Tom Heeney in 1928, he ended his heavyweight career without ever suffering a defeat. Tunney was an excellent boxer with a powerful left and right, as well as a dependable body punch and a deft counterpuncher. In 88 fights, he retired with 82 victories, 4 losses, 1 tie, and 1 no-contest.

13. Jack Dempsey 

Jack Dempsey photo by Bain News Service –

American professional boxer Jack Dempsey was one of the most exciting boxers in history. Jack competed from 1914 to 1927, and he held the title of heavyweight world champion from 1919 until 1926. He has a record of 66 victories, 51 knockouts, and 6 losses under his name. Because of his aggressive fighting style, he had the first million fights in his career, and many of those fights were monetarily lucrative. He had a distinguished fighting career throughout history.

14. Wladimir Klitschko 

Wladimir Klitschko at the 2018 Global Education and Skills Forum in Dubai photo by Fuzheado –

Former Ukrainian professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko competed from 1996 to 2017. He twice held the unified world heavyweight titles from the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and Ring magazine. Klitschko is recognized as one of the best heavyweight champions of all time. He is a crafty and skilled boxer. He was known for having outstanding knockout power, which he attained by employing a strong jab, a straight right and left hook, and fast hand speed. For a fighter his height, he also had excellent footwork and quickness. When he held the title of heavyweight world champion, his matches could draw more than 400 million viewers worldwide.

He held the record for most opponents defeated to win the heavyweight belt with victories against 23 opponents. In the history of professional boxing, he also has the most unified championship victories and title defences. When Wladimir and Vitali were both inducted into the Guinness World Records book in 2011, they had the most victories in world heavyweight title contests.

15. Vitali Klitschko 

Vitali Klitschko. photo by Sven Teschke –

Former professional boxer Vitali Klitschko competed in amateur boxing, kickboxing, and sport karate at the same time. During his early combat years, he achieved extraordinary success in all of these combat sports. Klitschko won several world heavyweight titles in boxing. 

From 1999 to 2000, he held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) championship; from 2004 to 2005, the Ring magazine championship; and twice between 2004 and 2013 the WBC title. He fought for the heavyweight championship of the world 15 times, winning, and 12 times losing. As the brothers with the most victories in world heavyweight title fights, Vitali Klitschko and his younger brother Wladimir Klitschko were officially recognized by Guinness World Records in 2011.

Heavyweight boxing was dominated by Vitali and Wladimir from 2006 to 2015; this period is referred to as the “Klitschko Era” in this division. When Klitschko made his retirement announcement in December 2013, he had not competed since 2012 but was still the WBC heavyweight champion.