Tyson Fury may well have suffered his first ever defeat in 2024, which he will look to correct on December 21 live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, but that has not halted the discussion as to where he stands among the greatest heavyweights of all time.
The fact he competed in the first fight to unify the heavyweight division in 20 years, even if he lost it on split decision Oleksandr Usyk, must count for something. But can we put him up there with the absolute all-time greats just yet?
Modern heavyweights are often ridiculed as being a pale imitation of the legends of the 20th century whose legacies have been immortalised. However there is no denying that the current crop — a field that includes Usyk, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois,
Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and more have produced the most exciting spell for the 200lbs+ realm in a long time.
Here, DAZN News lists its 10 Best Heavyweights of All Time, in no particular order. That means this is not a ranking from 1 to 10; rather the ten who, in this writer's opinion, make the cut.
Rocky Marciano
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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.
Plus, he’s the only heavyweight world champion to have finished his career undefeated. Unless … perhaps Tyson Fury has anything to say about that.
Tyson Fury
TGB Promotions
Fury has combined pure boxing skills with underrated punching power to a supreme level amidst his recent dominance. Both components of his fighting game were on fine display in all three of his fights against Deontay Wilder — one of boxing’s biggest punchers of all time — and his unanimous decision points win over Wladimir Klitschko.
His defeat to Usyk in May leaves a mark and some questions over his legacy, putting his record at 31-1-1. He will have the chance to put that right and prove the doubters wrong in Riyadh just before Christmas when the pair meet again, although his chance to become a unified heavyweight champion has gone for the time being.
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.
Joe Louis
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Twenty-five consecutive title defenses more than imprinted Louis as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. Max Baer, Max Schmeling, James J. Braddock and Jersey Joe Walcott all felt Louis’ wrath.
George Foreman
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Scoring a pair of second-round TKOs of Joe Frazier and Ken Norton are a sample size of how terrifying Foreman was in his era.
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 heavyweight’s power is the last to leave his hands. Well, at least Foreman’s hands.
Joe Frazier
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“Smokin’ Joe” was an absolute buzzsaw. The Fight of the Century in March 1971, when he handed Muhammad Ali his first loss, was proof of that. To be “The Greatest,” Ali needed rivals to push him and Frazier was one of his best.
Larry Holmes
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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. Can’t overlook Holmes’ place in heavyweight history.
Mike Tyson
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Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis didn’t fear Tyson and were able to subsequently bully the bully. But they, too, are among the greatest of all time, so that’s not too shabby
. 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.
In more recent times, Deontay Wilder and his 10 consecutive title defenses demonstrated his own feared punching power and greatness that shouldn't be overlooked, either.
Evander Holyfield
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The only four-time heavyweight world champion in boxing history, Holyfield’s victory over Riddick Bowe and wins over Mike Tyson, in particular, more than illustrate his warrior footprint in the sport's lore.
Lennox Lewis
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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 he’s not to be messed with as part of his polished resume.
Pure sweet science, master class boxing skills on display from Lewis across his brilliant career.
Muhammad Ali
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When talking “The Greatest” heavyweights, Ali’s name reigns supreme.
Whether it was avenging his loss against Joe Frazier with two victories over his rival, taking the steam out of George Foreman at The Rumble in the Jungle or earning hard-fought wins over the rugged likes of Floyd Patterson and Ken Norton, Ali’s GOAT legacy resides on the heavyweight throne as the best.
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