Top 10 Heavyweights in Boxing History
Published: Jul 31 2009 by: Mike Boehm
Boxing's Top 10 Heavyweights of All-Time
Trying to make a list of the best boxing heavyweights of all time is a difficult task. Throughout history, the heavyweight division in boxing has been one of the premier areas of any sport. Great champions, groundbreaking individuals and dedicated athletes have all graced the division and made an impact on the sport and in the world. Here's a look at the top 10 heavyweights in boxing history.
1. Muhammad Ali:
56 - (37 KO’s) – 5
Widely considered to be the best heavyweight boxing champion of all time. Ali was a three time world heavyweight champion, and was crowned “Sportsman of the Century” in 1999. The self proclaimed “The Greatest of All Time” became the first Heavyweight to win titles three times and revolutionized the sport by introducing a style that went against the games teachings.
2. Rocky Marciano: 49 - (43 KO’s) – 0
Rocky Marciano’s career is easily defined by his impeccable record. Marciano is the only fighter to retire undefeated putting up a total of 49 wins. Considered by many to be the hardest raw puncher in the game. Marciano posed a relatively short reach at only 68 inches; which had plenty of power behind each swing. One day before his 46 th birthday Marciano died tragically in a plane crash en route to his birthday party. Rocky Marciano was able to redefine boxing in the late 1940’s with pure punching power. There is no doubt Marciano’s legacy will carry on for centuries.
3. Jack Johnson: 71 – (40 KO’s) – 13
Jack Johnson was the first ever African-American Heavyweight champion; taking the initiative by crashing through the color bar that defined two classes of boxers. Jack Johnson was a bold and gaudy character who refused to accept anything less than equality. Johnson was repeatedly denied a title shot for the world Heavyweight championship in the United States. However, his chance was granted against heavyweight champ Tommy Burns of Canada. Johnson won a technical knockout in the fourteenth round to become the first black Heavyweight champion of the world.
4. Joe Louis: 66 – (52 KO’s) – 3
“The Brown Bomber” was one of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing. He held the world Heavyweight title from June of 1937 to June of 1948. Louis made an astounding 25 successful title defenses during his reign. Besides his superb skills inside the ring, Joe Louis was a great man outside the ring as well. Louis was inducted into the boxing hall of fame in 1990.
5. George Foreman: 76 - (68 KO’s) – 5
George Foreman is a living legend in boxing. His unsurpassed power and his ominous approach in the ring led him to numerous world titles. Most notably, Foreman embarked one of the most successful comebacks in boxing history. In 1994 at the age of 45, Foreman defeated Michael Moorer to regain the Heavyweight crown. A living legend indeed, George Foreman will always be one of the best the sport has ever seen.
6. Joe Frazier: 32 - (27 KO’s) – 4
“Smoking Joe” Frazier actually became a professional fighter by accident. He first went to a gym to work himself into shape. Shortly after, he began competing; and eventually became one of the best Heavyweights of all time. Most notable for the “Thrilla in Manilla” Joe Frazier fought the best and proved he was indeed one of the greatest this century has ever seen.
7. Mike Tyson: 50 - (44 KO’s) - 5
Mike Tyson was the first ever to become the youngest undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world. Tyson was able to win the WBC Heavyweight title at the tender age of 20 years old. Fighting as a relatively small Heavyweight Mike Tyson battled his way through the ring with amazing punching power; and was able to knockout more than 90% of the opponents he faced. Known as “Iron Mike,” his reputation is long lived, and respected throughout boxing.
8. Lennox Lewis: 41 – (32 KO’s) – 2
Lennox Lewis was no doubt the pride of Brittan. The 6’5 boxer was a determined fighter who held numerous Heavyweight titles for a combined total of 15 years. Lennox Lewis was inducted into the boxing hall of fame in 2009; and serves as a commentator for HBO’s Boxing after Dark telecasts.
9. Larry Holmes: 69 – (44 KO’s) – 6
As a professional Heavyweight, Larry Holmes managed to beat a plethora of great fighters like: Muhammad Ali, Ken Norton, Gerry Cooney and a variety of others. As a champion, Holmes successfully defended his title a lineal 20 times, only second to Joe Lewis. In December of 2007, Larry Holmes was voted into the boxing hall of fame.
10. Floyd Patterson: 55 – (40 KO’s) – 8
When Rocky Marciano retired in 1956, Patterson seized the opportunity. With the Heavyweight title vacant Floyd Patterson became the world Heavyweight champion at the age of 21 years old. Floyd Patterson was an all around great fighter, especially with his three matches with fellow champion Ingemar Johansson. In 1995 Patterson was named Boxing Commissioner for the state of New York.
Photo Credit: Public Domain from Wikimedia Commons
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Tags: mike tyson, muhammad ali, rankings, top 10
Who the hell came up with this crap list? Tyson and Patterson are not top 10 heavyweights.
Foreman is way too high. He only had 3 total title defenses in both of his reigns. And two of those were against complete bums.
The top 4 is ok, although you could shuffle the order a bit, but Tyson and Patterson make this list garbage.
(based on universal hold of title)
1. Johnson (ranks at or near the top in every category)
2. Louis (most recognized title defenses)
3. Ali (best record against other champions)
4. Marciano (undefeated)
5. Holmes (2nd longest consecutive defense streak)
6. Holyfield (most titles)
7. Ezzard Charles (8 title defenses)
8. Lewis (7 title defenses)
9. Frazier (6 title defenses)
10. Foreman (but this is a precarious rank as he could be replaced by Klitschko eventually)
Dempsey and Tunney fall out of the top due to avoidance of black fighters. Tyson could possible be top 12, but that’s it. He had only 6 defenses and never beat a top champion in their prime as all of the other fighters above him had done at least once.
Sullivan often gets ignored because no one today has ever seen how he fought, but he reigned for 10 years and, although he didn’t defend against black fighters, he did fight several on his way to title and in exhibitions. More than Dempsey and Tunney did, 40+ years later, after times had changed considerably and Johnson broke the race barrier.
Patterson is barely top 20. If that.
According to me,Joe Lois is the greatest boxer in history and Rocky Marciano,the second greatest because the technique of Joe was at par with other boxers.On the other hand he is very kind hearted,which makes him the greatest by his heart.
I would like to rank the greatest heavyweihts in boxing of all time
1.Joe Lois
2.Rocky Marciano
3.Mike Tyson
4.Muhammad Ali
5.Jack Dampsey
Let me add my choices for All-Time Heavyweights:
1.Joe Louis
2. Muhammad Ali/ Cassius clay
3. Rocky Marciano
4. Mike Tyson
5. Evander Holyfield
P.S. Here’s a blast from the past: Ernie Shavers, remember him ?
I mostly agree with the comments about Ali being overrated. The reason why I think that he is often rated so highly is because of his colorful personality. He told everyone he was the greatest and they believed him.
Having said this, you can make a legitimate argument in his favor based on the quality of the opponents he faced. No other former champion’s resume even comes close in terms of the quality of opponents: Liston, Patterson, Frazier, Foreman, Quarry, Young, Lyle, Shavers, Norton, Chuvalo, and Ellis. He fought some of these guys 2 or 3 times. Until he climbed back into the ring at age 38 after a two-year layoff and found out that he was washed up (against Larry Holmes) he was never stopped and won the vast majority of of his fights against world class opponents.
As a young fighter Ali was perhaps the fastest heavyweight ever. Once he slowed down it revealed that he had never developed much of a defense. However, he was tough as nails and mastered the art of boxing to compensate for diminished speed. I would not put him #1 either. But let’s face it, no other heavyweight in history had to face the number of world class opponents that Ali did–fighters that were hall of famers in their own right.
BTW, People knock Larry Holmes for poor quality opposition during his championship reign and on the way up. I deny this. He fought and defeated Norton, Witherspoon, Cooney, Shavers, Weaver, Snipes, and Berbick. On the whole that list doesn’t measure up to Ali’s opposition. However, it is as good or better than most of the great heavyweights. Who did Marciano fight? Walcott and Charles (each twice) and Joe Louis after he was washed up. They were great fighters, but really don’t compare to Holmes’ list as a whole body of work. Look at the lineup of bums that fought Joe Louis while he racked up 25 title defenses. I could go on, but this is sufficient to make the point. On pure skill and the total package, I rate a number of fighters higher than Ali. But in terms of acheivements, it is hard to argue with his record.
you show how little you know of boxing rateing patterson in top ten heres the best 10 of all time
You guys are fucking idiots young mike tyson would’ve took anyone you know out… and where is Jack Dempsey??????
well i agree with 9 of the 10 patterson? but to forget or not to include Gene Tunney is a big mistake he was 70-1 retired with the crown an he NEVER LOST AS A HEAVYWEIGHT his only loss came as a lt heavy well i guess nobodys perfect so in this case 2 heads really is better than one lol