His nickname was 'The Greatest', and with good reason. As we celebrate the life of Muhammad Ali, Gareth A Davies rates the best heavyweight boxers ever. Ali's nickname was fully deserved.
15 Max Schmeling - Win, Loss, Draw, No contest record: 56-10-4
German boxer who was heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932. Two fights with Joe Louis in 1936 and 1938 took on worldwide prominence because of the national associations at the time.
German boxer who was heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932. Two fights with Joe Louis in 1936 and 1938 took on worldwide prominence because of the national associations at the time.
14 Gene Tunney 61-1-1-1
World heavyweight champion from 1926–28. A thinking fighter, and a clever mover rather than many of the sluggers at the time, Tunney defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927, Tunney's successful title defence against Dempsey remains one of the most famous bouts in boxing history and is known as The Long Count Fight.
Tunney retired as an undefeated heavyweight after his victory over Tom Heeney in 1928
World heavyweight champion from 1926–28. A thinking fighter, and a clever mover rather than many of the sluggers at the time, Tunney defeated Jack Dempsey twice, first in 1926 and then in 1927, Tunney's successful title defence against Dempsey remains one of the most famous bouts in boxing history and is known as The Long Count Fight.
Tunney retired as an undefeated heavyweight after his victory over Tom Heeney in 1928
13 Sonny Liston 50-4
He was no boxing genius, but Liston was known for his toughness in taking a punch, and his own punching power along with a forbidding menace. Often recalled for the fact that Muhammad Ali had beaten him to take the title, Liston was one of the most dangerous and intimidating heavyweights in history.
He was no boxing genius, but Liston was known for his toughness in taking a punch, and his own punching power along with a forbidding menace. Often recalled for the fact that Muhammad Ali had beaten him to take the title, Liston was one of the most dangerous and intimidating heavyweights in history.
12 Jack Dempsey 61-6-8
Dempsey, one of the most popular fighters in boxing history, held the world heavyweight championship from 1919 to 1926. He had an aggressive style, brutal power and that excitement saw many of his fights generate financial and attendance records, including the first million-dollar gate.
Dempsey, one of the most popular fighters in boxing history, held the world heavyweight championship from 1919 to 1926. He had an aggressive style, brutal power and that excitement saw many of his fights generate financial and attendance records, including the first million-dollar gate.
11 Mike Tyson 50-6-0-2
The wrecking ball ‘Iron Mike’ at his very best, bobbing and weaving forward and throwing to body and head, made him one of the greatest attacking heavyweights in history. Ridiculous power made up for the king of the early 1990s being just 5ft 11ins tall.
The wrecking ball ‘Iron Mike’ at his very best, bobbing and weaving forward and throwing to body and head, made him one of the greatest attacking heavyweights in history. Ridiculous power made up for the king of the early 1990s being just 5ft 11ins tall.
10 Wladimir Klitschko 65-3
The Ukrainian sits second only to Joe Louis in overall statistics in the longevity of his reign as heavyweight champion. Huge man at 6ft 7ins tall, and a technical fighter, Klitschko dominated opponents behind a ramrod jab, breaking them down before releasing his powerful right hand.
The Ukrainian sits second only to Joe Louis in overall statistics in the longevity of his reign as heavyweight champion. Huge man at 6ft 7ins tall, and a technical fighter, Klitschko dominated opponents behind a ramrod jab, breaking them down before releasing his powerful right hand.
9 Rocky Marciano 49-0
The only heavyweight in my top 15 to retire undefeated, Marciano defended the title six times. Marciano had a short career as a pressure fighter. Relentless, with incredible stamina and a great chin, he was a ferocious puncher for a man of just 190 pounds. Knockout percentage of 87.75 is amongst the highest in heavyweight history.
The only heavyweight in my top 15 to retire undefeated, Marciano defended the title six times. Marciano had a short career as a pressure fighter. Relentless, with incredible stamina and a great chin, he was a ferocious puncher for a man of just 190 pounds. Knockout percentage of 87.75 is amongst the highest in heavyweight history.
8 Evander Holyfield 41-8-2
Involved in a great era with Lewis, Tyson and Riddick Bowe, having a trilogy with Bowe and two each with the other two standouts. The eight championship fights with the three other standouts of the era mark him out as a great, alongside his longevity and resistance. Retained the world heavyweight title three times.
Involved in a great era with Lewis, Tyson and Riddick Bowe, having a trilogy with Bowe and two each with the other two standouts. The eight championship fights with the three other standouts of the era mark him out as a great, alongside his longevity and resistance. Retained the world heavyweight title three times.
7 Joe Frazier 32-4-1
Frazier's style revolved around hooks thrown from bobbing, weaving and relentless pressure - aimed at wearing down his opponents. He remains one of the most ferocious, devastating exponents of the hook in the heavyweight division. Forever linked with Muhammad Ali due to their trilogy of fights between the rivals. The last of those, The Thrilla in Manila, is amongst the most brutal championship fights in the division’s history.
Frazier's style revolved around hooks thrown from bobbing, weaving and relentless pressure - aimed at wearing down his opponents. He remains one of the most ferocious, devastating exponents of the hook in the heavyweight division. Forever linked with Muhammad Ali due to their trilogy of fights between the rivals. The last of those, The Thrilla in Manila, is amongst the most brutal championship fights in the division’s history.
6 Lennox Lewis 41-2-1
The greatest British heavyweight in history, and the champion who set a new template for the rise of the 'super-heavyweight champion'.
Standing 6ft 5ins tall with an 85in reach, the huge man was a fighter, but also a modern athlete, with all the boxing skills, movement, footwork and power. The best heavyweight of the last 25 years and the leading heavyweight in an era of great tests.
The greatest British heavyweight in history, and the champion who set a new template for the rise of the 'super-heavyweight champion'.
Standing 6ft 5ins tall with an 85in reach, the huge man was a fighter, but also a modern athlete, with all the boxing skills, movement, footwork and power. The best heavyweight of the last 25 years and the leading heavyweight in an era of great tests.
5 George Foreman 76-5
The oldest heavyweight champion, at the age of 45, in the history of the sport. Fought in The Rumble In The Jungle against Muhammad Ali which made his name. But it was his raw punch power and intensity which had taken him to that point.
The oldest heavyweight champion, at the age of 45, in the history of the sport. Fought in The Rumble In The Jungle against Muhammad Ali which made his name. But it was his raw punch power and intensity which had taken him to that point.
4 Larry Holmes 69-6
With one of the greatest jabs in the sport, Holmes grew tall in the years he spent as Ali’s sparring partner and when his time came, his reign was long and successful. WBC heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1983, and The Ring magazine champion from 1980 to 1985; IBF champion from 1983 to 1985. He had 20 successful title defences, behind only Joe Louis at 25 and Wladimir Klitschko. One of only five men—along with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks and Trevor Berbick—to defeat Muhammad Ali.
With one of the greatest jabs in the sport, Holmes grew tall in the years he spent as Ali’s sparring partner and when his time came, his reign was long and successful. WBC heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1983, and The Ring magazine champion from 1980 to 1985; IBF champion from 1983 to 1985. He had 20 successful title defences, behind only Joe Louis at 25 and Wladimir Klitschko. One of only five men—along with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks and Trevor Berbick—to defeat Muhammad Ali.
3 Jack Johnson 77-13-14
The first African-American heavyweight champion of the world. Erudite as a fighter, pioneer Johnson brought technique, skills, power and footwork. An audacious, irrepressible character who challenged the authorities and society at the time, through his brilliance in the sport, and a spirit which refused to be quelled.
The first African-American heavyweight champion of the world. Erudite as a fighter, pioneer Johnson brought technique, skills, power and footwork. An audacious, irrepressible character who challenged the authorities and society at the time, through his brilliance in the sport, and a spirit which refused to be quelled.
2 Joe Louis 68-3
The 'Brown Bomber' reigned from 1937 to 1948, and was a world champion for 11 years and 10 months. Both are still records in the heavyweight division. His 25 consecutive defences of the title make Louis one of the greatest heavyweights in history. His style. Power and nous. "Everyone can box until they've been hit," was his renowned saying.
The 'Brown Bomber' reigned from 1937 to 1948, and was a world champion for 11 years and 10 months. Both are still records in the heavyweight division. His 25 consecutive defences of the title make Louis one of the greatest heavyweights in history. His style. Power and nous. "Everyone can box until they've been hit," was his renowned saying.
1. Muhammad Ali 56-5
Simply the greatest. Ali's career lasted over 20 years and the outpouring of grief at his death demonstrates the respect in which he was held. Inspired millions as he won the world title three times. Many will point to Joe Louis as the greatest on his record and longevity, but no-one will ever come close to matching Ali's achievements and impact on the sport. For that reason, Ali is my No 1.
Simply the greatest. Ali's career lasted over 20 years and the outpouring of grief at his death demonstrates the respect in which he was held. Inspired millions as he won the world title three times. Many will point to Joe Louis as the greatest on his record and longevity, but no-one will ever come close to matching Ali's achievements and impact on the sport. For that reason, Ali is my No 1.
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