Asking boxing fans who are the best heavyweight boxers of all time is rarely a good idea. A top 5 varies from fan to fan so we’ll try explain our criteria at the end!
First Place: Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, originally named Cassius Clay is unanimously considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He won 56 of his 61 professional fights, 37 by knockout, and he embodied a near-perfect combination of skill, sharp wit and charisma when he stepped into the ring.
You might’ve heard the phrase “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”, which Ali used to describe how he’d beat Sonny Liston before their fight in 1964. This phrase perfectly described Ali’s style, who possessed an unnatural speed for a man his size, surgical precision and tremendous power behind each jab and flurry.
Ali faced some of the, statistically speaking, toughest fighters in history too. He beat Sonny Liston twice, overcame Frazier in two out of three epic battles, and dethroned Foreman when no one thought he could. The Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manila fights have become part of boxing’s legendary lore, and Ali is at the center of it all.
Here are some of his most iconic fights, and why they put him at the top of the ranking:
Ali vs Sonny Liston in 1964
Ali, then Cassius Clay, was a 22-year-old underdog going up against Sonny Liston, a boxing prodigy that started his professional career much later in life than most pro athletes today. Liston started boxing seriously after leaving prison, and was an incredibly intimidating fighter to face, perhaps the most intimidating in boxing history.
Sonny had 8:1 odds to beat Ali, but the unexpected happened: Liston couldn’t get back up on the seventh round due to a torn tendon in his left shoulder. Ali had burst into the highest level of boxing with a decisive win over the champion.
Ali vs Frazier in 1971
Known as the Fight of the Century, Ali faced Joe Frazier, who was undefeated and held the title Ali had been stripped of. This was a fight between two undefeated champions that went down to the wire in a 15-round decision, which crowned Frazier. The fight itself was unlike anything up to that point, with Ali taking the win in 1974, and a decisive tiebreaker to be fought a year later.
Ali vs Frazier in 1975
This fight was known as “Thrilla in Manila” and it’s, to many, the most brutal fight in boxing history. Ali said that it was the closest thing to dying he had ever experienced, while Frazier was so swollen he couldn’t even see the punches coming from the right. Round 13 and 14 were absolutely brutal, and according to Ali’s biography, he was ready to quit, but Frazier corner’s quit before he did. It was an inspiring display between two warriors, with Ali overpowering Frazier with powerful hits that sent the mouthguard airborne.
Ali vs Foreman in 1974
Another legendary fight that had its own name: the Rumble in the Jungle. Foreman had overwhelmed Frazier and Norton, two fighters that had beaten Ali at one point. Foreman had a record of 40-0 with 37 knockouts and was a favorite in by most sportsbook at the time. Ali used his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy, leaning against the ropes to dissipate Foreman’s punches and preserve his own stamina. At the eighth round, Ali saw an opening and cleanly knocked Foreman out, consolidating one of boxing’s greatest upsets in history.
This goes to show that Ali had tremendous skill, speed and strength, but his ability to clutch a win from seemingly impossible odds and circumstances is what put him above the rest.
Ali’s Opponents and Level of Competition
Muhammad Ali fought the best, often multiple times, and usually came out on top. The quality of his opponents was extraordinary, many of these fighters were either champions or future Hall of Famers. Many fighters that didn’t break the top 5 dominated their eras, but their competition just wasn’t as tough.
Brains and Brawn
Ali wasn’t just physically talented; he was a master strategist. He outsmarted Liston, endured Frazier’s onslaught and outplayed Foreman’s abominable strength. He boxed on a different level, and that’s what allowed him to beat some of the greatest in the sport.
Beyond the numbers, Ali’s impact on the sport and society was enormous. He stood up against the Vietnam War, sacrificed years of his prime for his beliefs, and became a global icon for his courage both in and out of the ring. You have to remember, some of his greatest fights occurred after he had sacrificed many of his best years as a boxer, when he was at his theoretical prime as an athlete.
Second Place: Joe Louis
The Brown Bomber is, without question, one of the greatest heavyweights to ever step into the ring. He held the title for almost 12 years (from 1937 to 1949) with 25 title defenses that mark the longest reign in history. Honestly, ff it wasn’t for Ali, he’d be the first place in our list.
Joe wasn’t the kind of fighter the heavily vetted his opposition for easy wins either: he took on some real warriors during his long reign. Max Schmeling, James J. Braddock, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Billy Conn were some of the boxers that fought against Louis and tested his limits as a champion.
Some of his most important fights were:
Max Schmeling in 1938
Max had already beaten Louis a couple of years back, and this rematch had a lot going for it: it wasn’t just a personal challenge, it was a cultural event that pitted Nazi Germany against the US. The event featured a symbolic clash between two superpowers, which ended with a crushing defeat for Schmeling in the first round.
The Bomber knocked him down three times before they stopped the fight, redeeming Joe as a top-notch fighter. The free world rallied behind Louis and the hope of defeating Nazi Germany in an equally convincing fashion.
Billy Conn in 1941
Conn was a light heavyweight champion that moved up just to beat the Brown Bomber. Conn, despite his newly gained weight, was fast as lightning and proved an incredibly crafty and powerful opponent that was beating Louis until the 12th round. However, Joe never gave up and caught Conn lacking, knocking him out in the 13th round. Some boxers have a certain aura around them that says: “I can turn any fight around, at any time”, and Joe certainly had it.
Jersey Joe Walcott in 1948
Walcott had managed to knock Louis down twice during a fight in 1947, and many questioned whether Louis deserved to win that fight at all. A rematch was needed to cement Louis’ reputation, and it happened the next year. The match was incredibly tough, with Walcott’s unorthodox movement and heavy blows testing Joe’s skills and physique, however, a devastating knockout in the 11th round put Walcott to sleep. Any rumors and doubts about Joe’s superiority were quickly dismissed after that.
A Precision Bomber
The Brown Bomber was a master of technique. His punches were devastating, and tremendously accurate (especially his right). His tremendous power allowed him to hold the title for nearly 12 years, which is absolutely mental even today.
Consistency Incarnate
The rarest of human’s virtue is consistency, and Joe managed to achieve that in boxing. He was the kind of boxers that never had off nights and carefully trained and maintained his physique throughout the years. He had the mental toughness and consistency of a champion, which clearly put him one step above all but one boxer in history.
Third Place: Lennox Lewis
I can already feel the flak I’ll get for this one, but hear me out. Lewis beat almost every top contender of his era, often in spectacular fashion, which was very much his style. The man had a record of 41 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 32 knockouts, going up against some of the finest boxers in the sport’s history too.
Lennox fought Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Vitali Klitschko, Ruddock and many others.
By the way, his losses against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman? He avenged both of those with knockouts, which made quite a few people some serious money. Let’s see some of his most iconic fights:
Razor Ruddock in 1992
Ruddock was a beast back in 92, people thought Lewis would be another victim to Donovan’s half-hook, half-uppercut left punch that he called “The Smash”. His punches were deliberate and had frightening power behind them, but this talented fighter was about to taste defeat. Lewis dominated and knocked the Canadian out in the second round, and forced everyone in the scene to recognize his talent.
Holyfield Fights in 1999
These two juggernauts fought twice, with the first fight ending in a controversial draw that most thought Lewis had won. Lewis had scored 348 punches against Holyfield’s 130, which is a substantial difference that somehow didn’t give him the victory.
The rematch was the most anticipated fight of the year, and Lewis won by unanimous decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Keep in mind that Holyfield was a Hall of Famer, exactly the kind of fighter you want to go up against to prove your worth as one of the greatest. To most fans, he had beaten Holyfield twice by now, even if the first fight ended in a controversial draw.
Mike Tyson in 2002
Iron Mike was past his prime, but he was still an incredibly fast and fierce boxer that could easily be amongst the best of the best of the sport. Lewis, however, utterly dominated the fight and knocked Tyson out in the eighth round. Again, this wasn’t prime Mike, but the fight garnered a lot of attention and hype and Lewis convincingly dominated throughout the whole match, which is nothing short of impressive.
Vitali Klitschko in 2003
This fight was nothing short of incredible: Lewis, the legend on his last fight before retirement, against the up-and-coming star of the sport, Klitschko. Klitschko was, by all accounts, winning the fight against an incredibly tenacious, but past-prime Lewis that still proved himself capable and dangerous in the ring. The champion had opened a cut in the third round right above Vitali’s eye which leveled the field in the next few rounds.
However, by the seventh round, the cut above Klitschko’s left eye turned severe, and the fight was stopped. He actually required sixty stitches, which is frightening to even think that Lennox’s punches did that with a padded glove. Lennox won by TKO, and earned a legendary win over the man who would dominate heavyweight boxing after his retirement. It was a near perfect ending for an illustrious boxing career.
Tremendous Reach and Power
Lewis was a master technician in the ring. He had a terrifying 84-inch reach at 6’5, which he masterfully used to control the distance during fights. As if that wasn’t enough, even if you somehow managed to close the gap, Lewis also mastered defensive boxing, so good luck getting through his iron defense.
Consistently Good
Lennox was a three-time world champion and held the title for a total of 4,552 days against some real monsters. He fought and defeated top contenders across multiple eras, from the early ’90s to the early 2000s, quickly adapting from boxing to brawling when the time was right. He was a complete fighter and went up against incredibly difficult opponents to prove his worth throughout his career and even retired as reigning champion, how awesome is that?
Fourth Place: Larry Holmes
Holmes, known as the “Easton Assassin” is such an underrated name when discussing the greatest heavyweights, and I’m here to amend that. Larry had one of the best jabs in boxing history and held the heavyweight title for seven and a half years, from 1978 to 1985 with 20 successful title defenses. These are insane stats for a fighter, and the only reason he doesn’t get enough credit is because he lived under Ali’s and Tyson’s shadow.
He bridged two eras in boxing: the tail end of Muhammad Ali’s career and the rise of Mike Tyson. He beat fighters like Norton, Earnie Shavers, Gerry Cooney and even Muhammad Ali himself, which is a mix of former champions and legends in the sport. Here are some of his most notable fights:
Ken Norton in 1978
This was a brutal 15-round war against Norton, and is still considered one of the best heavyweight fights of all time. The fight had everything, and Holmes had to dig deep and rally in the final round to win in a split decision. It was his beginning as one of longest reigning champions in the sport.
Earnie Shavers in 1979
Shavers was one of the hardest-hitting boxers in heavyweight history, and Holmes fought him twice. During their second fight in 1979, Shavers actually floored Larry with a devastating right hand that would’ve knocked anyone else out. Holmes, as if out of a Rocky movie, got back up after that seventh round and dominated the rest of the fight, to everyone’s amazement. This tremendous display of heart and resilience earned him a TKO victory in the 11th round, and proved that Larry was a champion through and through.
Muhammad Ali in 1980
I can already hear some of you saying that it’s in bad taste to even include this fight, but we’re talking about the greatest of all time in boxing history. Even if Holmes beat Ali well past his prime, it’s a noteworthy fight that proved how powerful Larry was back in the day.
Ali was Larry’s former mentor, and a cultural icon by then. They fought ten rounds with Larry showing clear dominance throughout, until Ali’s corner stopped the fight. Making this list had to take into consideration not just how many wins a fighter had, but who he actually had to beat that get that win, or title. In this case, it was against none other than the greatest of this sport.
Legendary Match Control
Holmes controlled the fight’s pace, distance and rhythm with his most trustworthy weapon: his jab. He wore down his opponents, slowly but surely stacking tremendous damage on his opponent’s physique until his powerful right hand broke them. This level of control requires tremendous ring intelligence and technical skills, two major factors behind Holmes’ extended reign.
A Legacy of Resilience
Holmes could take a hit, but this could be said about many fighters. He had the ability to come back stronger somehow, which terrified his opponents. Larry was the kind of guy you had to decisively knock out, otherwise you risked summoning an even more dangerous version of the Easton Assassin. He never shied away from a fight or title defense either, fighting the toughest boxers of his time for as long as he boxed.
Fifth Place: George Foreman
George Foreman is another legend of boxing, and a knockout machine that rose through the ranks of boxing, with an outstanding record 76 wins and 5 losses. This half of famer fought Muhammad Ali, Frazier, Norton as well as Michael Moorer after he made an astonishing comeback to the sport. He’s a winner by nature and fate, and deserves a spot in this top 5.
Fighting against George was incredibly difficult, mainly because a single punch is all it took to send his opponent to a deep sleep. During the first half of his career, he won 37 out of his first 40 fights by knockout, many of these in the early rounds. Here are some of his most iconic fights:
Joe Frazier in 1973
Frazier went into this fight as the reigning heavyweight champion, an undefeated warrior that had just bested Muhammad Ali a couple of years back. What happened was completely unexpected: the underdog Foreman had knocked Frazier down six times in two rounds before the fight was stopped, with an absolutely dominant performance over a proven fighter. Howard Cossell’s famous phrase Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” still echoes in Boxing highlight videos even today.
Ken Norton in 1974
Norton was no joke: we’re talking about another top contender in an already stacked era of boxing that had beaten Ali once before. The fight took place in 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela and Norton had a bit of a reputation for fighting his best when facing a big opponent, so many anxiously waited for this promising fight. Big George, however, completely stopped Norton in his tracks by landing a tremendous uppercut in the first minute of the second round. Norton never really recovered and was knocked down twice before the fight was stopped.
Foreman had gained a reputation as an absolute machine that trampled even the best boxers early on. However, his next legendary fight would change everything.
Muhammad Ali in 1974
We’re back to a boxing all-time classic fight: the Rumble in the Jungle. These two boxing legends faced each other for the ultimate glory in this strange, suffocatingly-hot land. Big George arrived as the favorite, having dominated his opponents with sheer power, while Ali was (incorrectly) considered by many, as past his prime.
Ali’s physique might’ve wavered, but his mind was as sharp as ever. The famous “rope-a-dope” strategy tired Foreman out, who had become accustomed to dominating his opponents in the early rounds with his overwhelming power. Ali understood he couldn’t go blow-to-blow against this force of nature, and instead decided to exhaust him and whittle him down with sharp blows. Ali took the fight in spectacular fashion, and caused Foreman to eventually retire for some time.
Michael Moorer in 1994
Foreman had decided to return to boxing in 1987, at the age of 38 and completely reinvented himself as a fighter. His power was still his trump card, but he was more patient and calculating about unleashing his destructive punches.
At 45 years old, Foreman knocked out the 26-year-old heavyweight champion Michael Moorer to regain the title, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history. Moorer had scored points and was bound to win by decision had the fight continued to its end, however, Big George patiently waited for an opening and unleashed a monstrous right hand that put Moorer to bed.
It’s a legendary comeback that crowned an already magnificent career, and proved that he was not only a powerful fighter, but also an incredibly smart boxer that could reinvent himself and perform at the highest level, even at 45 years old.
The Comeback King
Boxers that come back to the sports and find success are rare to find, but legends that come back from retirement (way past their physical prime) to win the title? That’s Big George and no one else.
Foreman had two careers as a boxer and excelled in both, becoming part of boxing lore for years to come makes him worthy of this spot, and some could correctly argue he should be higher. I’ll leave that up to you to decide. If you’re all about redemption and believing an athlete can find success through reinvention, then your heart will have a soft spot for Big George, that much is true.
Final Words
From the iconic Muhammad Ali to the legendary Foreman, each of these fighters has shaped the heavyweight division and boxing as a sport in their unique way. Many think that the golden era of boxing has finished, and that we’re left with a more equally-matched sport that trades champions at breakneck speed, but there’s hope for the future.
It’s crazy to think what these legends could’ve done with today’s modern methods of training and nutrition, but there’s no reason to believe that the best is past us. Maybe another icon will rise during our lifetime and grace this sport and dethrone anyone in our list.
Asking boxing fans who are the best heavyweight boxers of all time is rarely a good idea. A top 5 varies from fan to fan so we’ll try explain our criteria at the end!
First Place: Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, originally named Cassius Clay is unanimously considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He won 56 of his 61 professional fights, 37 by knockout, and he embodied a near-perfect combination of skill, sharp wit and charisma when he stepped into the ring.
You might’ve heard the phrase “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”, which Ali used to describe how he’d beat Sonny Liston before their fight in 1964. This phrase perfectly described Ali’s style, who possessed an unnatural speed for a man his size, surgical precision and tremendous power behind each jab and flurry.
Ali faced some of the, statistically speaking, toughest fighters in history too. He beat Sonny Liston twice, overcame Frazier in two out of three epic battles, and dethroned Foreman when no one thought he could. The Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manila fights have become part of boxing’s legendary lore, and Ali is at the center of it all.
Here are some of his most iconic fights, and why they put him at the top of the ranking:
Ali vs Sonny Liston in 1964
Ali, then Cassius Clay, was a 22-year-old underdog going up against Sonny Liston, a boxing prodigy that started his professional career much later in life than most pro athletes today. Liston started boxing seriously after leaving prison, and was an incredibly intimidating fighter to face, perhaps the most intimidating in boxing history.
Sonny had 8:1 odds to beat Ali, but the unexpected happened: Liston couldn’t get back up on the seventh round due to a torn tendon in his left shoulder. Ali had burst into the highest level of boxing with a decisive win over the champion.
Ali vs Frazier in 1971
Known as the Fight of the Century, Ali faced Joe Frazier, who was undefeated and held the title Ali had been stripped of. This was a fight between two undefeated champions that went down to the wire in a 15-round decision, which crowned Frazier. The fight itself was unlike anything up to that point, with Ali taking the win in 1974, and a decisive tiebreaker to be fought a year later.
Ali vs Frazier in 1975
This fight was known as “Thrilla in Manila” and it’s, to many, the most brutal fight in boxing history. Ali said that it was the closest thing to dying he had ever experienced, while Frazier was so swollen he couldn’t even see the punches coming from the right. Round 13 and 14 were absolutely brutal, and according to Ali’s biography, he was ready to quit, but Frazier corner’s quit before he did. It was an inspiring display between two warriors, with Ali overpowering Frazier with powerful hits that sent the mouthguard airborne.
Ali vs Foreman in 1974
Another legendary fight that had its own name: the Rumble in the Jungle. Foreman had overwhelmed Frazier and Norton, two fighters that had beaten Ali at one point. Foreman had a record of 40-0 with 37 knockouts and was a favorite in by most sportsbook at the time. Ali used his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy, leaning against the ropes to dissipate Foreman’s punches and preserve his own stamina. At the eighth round, Ali saw an opening and cleanly knocked Foreman out, consolidating one of boxing’s greatest upsets in history.
This goes to show that Ali had tremendous skill, speed and strength, but his ability to clutch a win from seemingly impossible odds and circumstances is what put him above the rest.
Ali’s Opponents and Level of Competition
Muhammad Ali fought the best, often multiple times, and usually came out on top. The quality of his opponents was extraordinary, many of these fighters were either champions or future Hall of Famers. Many fighters that didn’t break the top 5 dominated their eras, but their competition just wasn’t as tough.
Brains and Brawn
Ali wasn’t just physically talented; he was a master strategist. He outsmarted Liston, endured Frazier’s onslaught and outplayed Foreman’s abominable strength. He boxed on a different level, and that’s what allowed him to beat some of the greatest in the sport.
Beyond the numbers, Ali’s impact on the sport and society was enormous. He stood up against the Vietnam War, sacrificed years of his prime for his beliefs, and became a global icon for his courage both in and out of the ring. You have to remember, some of his greatest fights occurred after he had sacrificed many of his best years as a boxer, when he was at his theoretical prime as an athlete.
Second Place: Joe Louis
The Brown Bomber is, without question, one of the greatest heavyweights to ever step into the ring. He held the title for almost 12 years (from 1937 to 1949) with 25 title defenses that mark the longest reign in history. Honestly, ff it wasn’t for Ali, he’d be the first place in our list.
Joe wasn’t the kind of fighter the heavily vetted his opposition for easy wins either: he took on some real warriors during his long reign. Max Schmeling, James J. Braddock, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Billy Conn were some of the boxers that fought against Louis and tested his limits as a champion.
Some of his most important fights were:
Max Schmeling in 1938
Max had already beaten Louis a couple of years back, and this rematch had a lot going for it: it wasn’t just a personal challenge, it was a cultural event that pitted Nazi Germany against the US. The event featured a symbolic clash between two superpowers, which ended with a crushing defeat for Schmeling in the first round.
The Bomber knocked him down three times before they stopped the fight, redeeming Joe as a top-notch fighter. The free world rallied behind Louis and the hope of defeating Nazi Germany in an equally convincing fashion.
Billy Conn in 1941
Conn was a light heavyweight champion that moved up just to beat the Brown Bomber. Conn, despite his newly gained weight, was fast as lightning and proved an incredibly crafty and powerful opponent that was beating Louis until the 12th round. However, Joe never gave up and caught Conn lacking, knocking him out in the 13th round. Some boxers have a certain aura around them that says: “I can turn any fight around, at any time”, and Joe certainly had it.
Jersey Joe Walcott in 1948
Walcott had managed to knock Louis down twice during a fight in 1947, and many questioned whether Louis deserved to win that fight at all. A rematch was needed to cement Louis’ reputation, and it happened the next year. The match was incredibly tough, with Walcott’s unorthodox movement and heavy blows testing Joe’s skills and physique, however, a devastating knockout in the 11th round put Walcott to sleep. Any rumors and doubts about Joe’s superiority were quickly dismissed after that.
A Precision Bomber
The Brown Bomber was a master of technique. His punches were devastating, and tremendously accurate (especially his right). His tremendous power allowed him to hold the title for nearly 12 years, which is absolutely mental even today.
Consistency Incarnate
The rarest of human’s virtue is consistency, and Joe managed to achieve that in boxing. He was the kind of boxers that never had off nights and carefully trained and maintained his physique throughout the years. He had the mental toughness and consistency of a champion, which clearly put him one step above all but one boxer in history.
Third Place: Lennox Lewis
I can already feel the flak I’ll get for this one, but hear me out. Lewis beat almost every top contender of his era, often in spectacular fashion, which was very much his style. The man had a record of 41 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 32 knockouts, going up against some of the finest boxers in the sport’s history too.
By the way, his losses against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman? He avenged both of those with knockouts, which made quite a few people some serious money. Let’s see some of his most iconic fights:
Razor Ruddock in 1992
Ruddock was a beast back in 92, people thought Lewis would be another victim to Donovan’s half-hook, half-uppercut left punch that he called “The Smash”. His punches were deliberate and had frightening power behind them, but this talented fighter was about to taste defeat. Lewis dominated and knocked the Canadian out in the second round, and forced everyone in the scene to recognize his talent.
Holyfield Fights in 1999
These two juggernauts fought twice, with the first fight ending in a controversial draw that most thought Lewis had won. Lewis had scored 348 punches against Holyfield’s 130, which is a substantial difference that somehow didn’t give him the victory.
The rematch was the most anticipated fight of the year, and Lewis won by unanimous decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Keep in mind that Holyfield was a Hall of Famer, exactly the kind of fighter you want to go up against to prove your worth as one of the greatest. To most fans, he had beaten Holyfield twice by now, even if the first fight ended in a controversial draw.
Mike Tyson in 2002
Iron Mike was past his prime, but he was still an incredibly fast and fierce boxer that could easily be amongst the best of the best of the sport. Lewis, however, utterly dominated the fight and knocked Tyson out in the eighth round. Again, this wasn’t prime Mike, but the fight garnered a lot of attention and hype and Lewis convincingly dominated throughout the whole match, which is nothing short of impressive.
Vitali Klitschko in 2003
This fight was nothing short of incredible: Lewis, the legend on his last fight before retirement, against the up-and-coming star of the sport, Klitschko. Klitschko was, by all accounts, winning the fight against an incredibly tenacious, but past-prime Lewis that still proved himself capable and dangerous in the ring. The champion had opened a cut in the third round right above Vitali’s eye which leveled the field in the next few rounds.
However, by the seventh round, the cut above Klitschko’s left eye turned severe, and the fight was stopped. He actually required sixty stitches, which is frightening to even think that Lennox’s punches did that with a padded glove. Lennox won by TKO, and earned a legendary win over the man who would dominate heavyweight boxing after his retirement. It was a near perfect ending for an illustrious boxing career.
Tremendous Reach and Power
Lewis was a master technician in the ring. He had a terrifying 84-inch reach at 6’5, which he masterfully used to control the distance during fights. As if that wasn’t enough, even if you somehow managed to close the gap, Lewis also mastered defensive boxing, so good luck getting through his iron defense.
Consistently Good
Lennox was a three-time world champion and held the title for a total of 4,552 days against some real monsters. He fought and defeated top contenders across multiple eras, from the early ’90s to the early 2000s, quickly adapting from boxing to brawling when the time was right. He was a complete fighter and went up against incredibly difficult opponents to prove his worth throughout his career and even retired as reigning champion, how awesome is that?
Fourth Place: Larry Holmes
Holmes, known as the “Easton Assassin” is such an underrated name when discussing the greatest heavyweights, and I’m here to amend that. Larry had one of the best jabs in boxing history and held the heavyweight title for seven and a half years, from 1978 to 1985 with 20 successful title defenses. These are insane stats for a fighter, and the only reason he doesn’t get enough credit is because he lived under Ali’s and Tyson’s shadow.
He bridged two eras in boxing: the tail end of Muhammad Ali’s career and the rise of Mike Tyson. He beat fighters like Norton, Earnie Shavers, Gerry Cooney and even Muhammad Ali himself, which is a mix of former champions and legends in the sport. Here are some of his most notable fights:
Ken Norton in 1978
This was a brutal 15-round war against Norton, and is still considered one of the best heavyweight fights of all time. The fight had everything, and Holmes had to dig deep and rally in the final round to win in a split decision. It was his beginning as one of longest reigning champions in the sport.
Earnie Shavers in 1979
Shavers was one of the hardest-hitting boxers in heavyweight history, and Holmes fought him twice. During their second fight in 1979, Shavers actually floored Larry with a devastating right hand that would’ve knocked anyone else out. Holmes, as if out of a Rocky movie, got back up after that seventh round and dominated the rest of the fight, to everyone’s amazement. This tremendous display of heart and resilience earned him a TKO victory in the 11th round, and proved that Larry was a champion through and through.
Muhammad Ali in 1980
I can already hear some of you saying that it’s in bad taste to even include this fight, but we’re talking about the greatest of all time in boxing history. Even if Holmes beat Ali well past his prime, it’s a noteworthy fight that proved how powerful Larry was back in the day.
Ali was Larry’s former mentor, and a cultural icon by then. They fought ten rounds with Larry showing clear dominance throughout, until Ali’s corner stopped the fight. Making this list had to take into consideration not just how many wins a fighter had, but who he actually had to beat that get that win, or title. In this case, it was against none other than the greatest of this sport.
Legendary Match Control
Holmes controlled the fight’s pace, distance and rhythm with his most trustworthy weapon: his jab. He wore down his opponents, slowly but surely stacking tremendous damage on his opponent’s physique until his powerful right hand broke them. This level of control requires tremendous ring intelligence and technical skills, two major factors behind Holmes’ extended reign.
A Legacy of Resilience
Holmes could take a hit, but this could be said about many fighters. He had the ability to come back stronger somehow, which terrified his opponents. Larry was the kind of guy you had to decisively knock out, otherwise you risked summoning an even more dangerous version of the Easton Assassin. He never shied away from a fight or title defense either, fighting the toughest boxers of his time for as long as he boxed.
Fifth Place: George Foreman
George Foreman is another legend of boxing, and a knockout machine that rose through the ranks of boxing, with an outstanding record 76 wins and 5 losses. This half of famer fought Muhammad Ali, Frazier, Norton as well as Michael Moorer after he made an astonishing comeback to the sport. He’s a winner by nature and fate, and deserves a spot in this top 5.
Fighting against George was incredibly difficult, mainly because a single punch is all it took to send his opponent to a deep sleep. During the first half of his career, he won 37 out of his first 40 fights by knockout, many of these in the early rounds. Here are some of his most iconic fights:
Joe Frazier in 1973
Frazier went into this fight as the reigning heavyweight champion, an undefeated warrior that had just bested Muhammad Ali a couple of years back. What happened was completely unexpected: the underdog Foreman had knocked Frazier down six times in two rounds before the fight was stopped, with an absolutely dominant performance over a proven fighter. Howard Cossell’s famous phrase Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” still echoes in Boxing highlight videos even today.
Ken Norton in 1974
Norton was no joke: we’re talking about another top contender in an already stacked era of boxing that had beaten Ali once before. The fight took place in 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela and Norton had a bit of a reputation for fighting his best when facing a big opponent, so many anxiously waited for this promising fight. Big George, however, completely stopped Norton in his tracks by landing a tremendous uppercut in the first minute of the second round. Norton never really recovered and was knocked down twice before the fight was stopped.
Foreman had gained a reputation as an absolute machine that trampled even the best boxers early on. However, his next legendary fight would change everything.
Muhammad Ali in 1974
We’re back to a boxing all-time classic fight: the Rumble in the Jungle. These two boxing legends faced each other for the ultimate glory in this strange, suffocatingly-hot land. Big George arrived as the favorite, having dominated his opponents with sheer power, while Ali was (incorrectly) considered by many, as past his prime.
Ali’s physique might’ve wavered, but his mind was as sharp as ever. The famous “rope-a-dope” strategy tired Foreman out, who had become accustomed to dominating his opponents in the early rounds with his overwhelming power. Ali understood he couldn’t go blow-to-blow against this force of nature, and instead decided to exhaust him and whittle him down with sharp blows. Ali took the fight in spectacular fashion, and caused Foreman to eventually retire for some time.
Michael Moorer in 1994
Foreman had decided to return to boxing in 1987, at the age of 38 and completely reinvented himself as a fighter. His power was still his trump card, but he was more patient and calculating about unleashing his destructive punches.
At 45 years old, Foreman knocked out the 26-year-old heavyweight champion Michael Moorer to regain the title, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history. Moorer had scored points and was bound to win by decision had the fight continued to its end, however, Big George patiently waited for an opening and unleashed a monstrous right hand that put Moorer to bed.
It’s a legendary comeback that crowned an already magnificent career, and proved that he was not only a powerful fighter, but also an incredibly smart boxer that could reinvent himself and perform at the highest level, even at 45 years old.
The Comeback King
Boxers that come back to the sports and find success are rare to find, but legends that come back from retirement (way past their physical prime) to win the title? That’s Big George and no one else.
Foreman had two careers as a boxer and excelled in both, becoming part of boxing lore for years to come makes him worthy of this spot, and some could correctly argue he should be higher. I’ll leave that up to you to decide. If you’re all about redemption and believing an athlete can find success through reinvention, then your heart will have a soft spot for Big George, that much is true.
Final Words
From the iconic Muhammad Ali to the legendary Foreman, each of these fighters has shaped the heavyweight division and boxing as a sport in their unique way. Many think that the golden era of boxing has finished, and that we’re left with a more equally-matched sport that trades champions at breakneck speed, but there’s hope for the future.
It’s crazy to think what these legends could’ve done with today’s modern methods of training and nutrition, but there’s no reason to believe that the best is past us. Maybe another icon will rise during our lifetime and grace this sport and dethrone anyone in our list.
Related Posts
Asking boxing fans who are the best heavyweight boxers of all time is rarely a good idea. A top 5 varies from fan to fan so we’ll try explain our criteria at the end!
First Place: Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, originally named Cassius Clay is unanimously considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He won 56 of his 61 professional fights, 37 by knockout, and he embodied a near-perfect combination of skill, sharp wit and charisma when he stepped into the ring.
You might’ve heard the phrase “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”, which Ali used to describe how he’d beat Sonny Liston before their fight in 1964. This phrase perfectly described Ali’s style, who possessed an unnatural speed for a man his size, surgical precision and tremendous power behind each jab and flurry.
Ali faced some of the, statistically speaking, toughest fighters in history too. He beat Sonny Liston twice, overcame Frazier in two out of three epic battles, and dethroned Foreman when no one thought he could. The Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manila fights have become part of boxing’s legendary lore, and Ali is at the center of it all.
Here are some of his most iconic fights, and why they put him at the top of the ranking:
Ali vs Sonny Liston in 1964
Ali, then Cassius Clay, was a 22-year-old underdog going up against Sonny Liston, a boxing prodigy that started his professional career much later in life than most pro athletes today. Liston started boxing seriously after leaving prison, and was an incredibly intimidating fighter to face, perhaps the most intimidating in boxing history.
Sonny had 8:1 odds to beat Ali, but the unexpected happened: Liston couldn’t get back up on the seventh round due to a torn tendon in his left shoulder. Ali had burst into the highest level of boxing with a decisive win over the champion.
Ali vs Frazier in 1971
Known as the Fight of the Century, Ali faced Joe Frazier, who was undefeated and held the title Ali had been stripped of. This was a fight between two undefeated champions that went down to the wire in a 15-round decision, which crowned Frazier. The fight itself was unlike anything up to that point, with Ali taking the win in 1974, and a decisive tiebreaker to be fought a year later.
Ali vs Frazier in 1975
This fight was known as “Thrilla in Manila” and it’s, to many, the most brutal fight in boxing history. Ali said that it was the closest thing to dying he had ever experienced, while Frazier was so swollen he couldn’t even see the punches coming from the right. Round 13 and 14 were absolutely brutal, and according to Ali’s biography, he was ready to quit, but Frazier corner’s quit before he did. It was an inspiring display between two warriors, with Ali overpowering Frazier with powerful hits that sent the mouthguard airborne.
Ali vs Foreman in 1974
Another legendary fight that had its own name: the Rumble in the Jungle. Foreman had overwhelmed Frazier and Norton, two fighters that had beaten Ali at one point. Foreman had a record of 40-0 with 37 knockouts and was a favorite in by most sportsbook at the time. Ali used his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy, leaning against the ropes to dissipate Foreman’s punches and preserve his own stamina. At the eighth round, Ali saw an opening and cleanly knocked Foreman out, consolidating one of boxing’s greatest upsets in history.
This goes to show that Ali had tremendous skill, speed and strength, but his ability to clutch a win from seemingly impossible odds and circumstances is what put him above the rest.
Ali’s Opponents and Level of Competition
Muhammad Ali fought the best, often multiple times, and usually came out on top. The quality of his opponents was extraordinary, many of these fighters were either champions or future Hall of Famers. Many fighters that didn’t break the top 5 dominated their eras, but their competition just wasn’t as tough.
Brains and Brawn
Ali wasn’t just physically talented; he was a master strategist. He outsmarted Liston, endured Frazier’s onslaught and outplayed Foreman’s abominable strength. He boxed on a different level, and that’s what allowed him to beat some of the greatest in the sport.
Beyond the numbers, Ali’s impact on the sport and society was enormous. He stood up against the Vietnam War, sacrificed years of his prime for his beliefs, and became a global icon for his courage both in and out of the ring. You have to remember, some of his greatest fights occurred after he had sacrificed many of his best years as a boxer, when he was at his theoretical prime as an athlete.
Second Place: Joe Louis
The Brown Bomber is, without question, one of the greatest heavyweights to ever step into the ring. He held the title for almost 12 years (from 1937 to 1949) with 25 title defenses that mark the longest reign in history. Honestly, ff it wasn’t for Ali, he’d be the first place in our list.
Joe wasn’t the kind of fighter the heavily vetted his opposition for easy wins either: he took on some real warriors during his long reign. Max Schmeling, James J. Braddock, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Billy Conn were some of the boxers that fought against Louis and tested his limits as a champion.
Some of his most important fights were:
Max Schmeling in 1938
Max had already beaten Louis a couple of years back, and this rematch had a lot going for it: it wasn’t just a personal challenge, it was a cultural event that pitted Nazi Germany against the US. The event featured a symbolic clash between two superpowers, which ended with a crushing defeat for Schmeling in the first round.
The Bomber knocked him down three times before they stopped the fight, redeeming Joe as a top-notch fighter. The free world rallied behind Louis and the hope of defeating Nazi Germany in an equally convincing fashion.
Billy Conn in 1941
Conn was a light heavyweight champion that moved up just to beat the Brown Bomber. Conn, despite his newly gained weight, was fast as lightning and proved an incredibly crafty and powerful opponent that was beating Louis until the 12th round. However, Joe never gave up and caught Conn lacking, knocking him out in the 13th round. Some boxers have a certain aura around them that says: “I can turn any fight around, at any time”, and Joe certainly had it.
Jersey Joe Walcott in 1948
Walcott had managed to knock Louis down twice during a fight in 1947, and many questioned whether Louis deserved to win that fight at all. A rematch was needed to cement Louis’ reputation, and it happened the next year. The match was incredibly tough, with Walcott’s unorthodox movement and heavy blows testing Joe’s skills and physique, however, a devastating knockout in the 11th round put Walcott to sleep. Any rumors and doubts about Joe’s superiority were quickly dismissed after that.
A Precision Bomber
The Brown Bomber was a master of technique. His punches were devastating, and tremendously accurate (especially his right). His tremendous power allowed him to hold the title for nearly 12 years, which is absolutely mental even today.
Consistency Incarnate
The rarest of human’s virtue is consistency, and Joe managed to achieve that in boxing. He was the kind of boxers that never had off nights and carefully trained and maintained his physique throughout the years. He had the mental toughness and consistency of a champion, which clearly put him one step above all but one boxer in history.
Third Place: Lennox Lewis
I can already feel the flak I’ll get for this one, but hear me out. Lewis beat almost every top contender of his era, often in spectacular fashion, which was very much his style. The man had a record of 41 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 32 knockouts, going up against some of the finest boxers in the sport’s history too.
Lennox fought Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Vitali Klitschko, Ruddock and many others.
By the way, his losses against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman? He avenged both of those with knockouts, which made quite a few people some serious money. Let’s see some of his most iconic fights:
Razor Ruddock in 1992
Ruddock was a beast back in 92, people thought Lewis would be another victim to Donovan’s half-hook, half-uppercut left punch that he called “The Smash”. His punches were deliberate and had frightening power behind them, but this talented fighter was about to taste defeat. Lewis dominated and knocked the Canadian out in the second round, and forced everyone in the scene to recognize his talent.
Holyfield Fights in 1999
These two juggernauts fought twice, with the first fight ending in a controversial draw that most thought Lewis had won. Lewis had scored 348 punches against Holyfield’s 130, which is a substantial difference that somehow didn’t give him the victory.
The rematch was the most anticipated fight of the year, and Lewis won by unanimous decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Keep in mind that Holyfield was a Hall of Famer, exactly the kind of fighter you want to go up against to prove your worth as one of the greatest. To most fans, he had beaten Holyfield twice by now, even if the first fight ended in a controversial draw.
Mike Tyson in 2002
Iron Mike was past his prime, but he was still an incredibly fast and fierce boxer that could easily be amongst the best of the best of the sport. Lewis, however, utterly dominated the fight and knocked Tyson out in the eighth round. Again, this wasn’t prime Mike, but the fight garnered a lot of attention and hype and Lewis convincingly dominated throughout the whole match, which is nothing short of impressive.
Vitali Klitschko in 2003
This fight was nothing short of incredible: Lewis, the legend on his last fight before retirement, against the up-and-coming star of the sport, Klitschko. Klitschko was, by all accounts, winning the fight against an incredibly tenacious, but past-prime Lewis that still proved himself capable and dangerous in the ring. The champion had opened a cut in the third round right above Vitali’s eye which leveled the field in the next few rounds.
However, by the seventh round, the cut above Klitschko’s left eye turned severe, and the fight was stopped. He actually required sixty stitches, which is frightening to even think that Lennox’s punches did that with a padded glove. Lennox won by TKO, and earned a legendary win over the man who would dominate heavyweight boxing after his retirement. It was a near perfect ending for an illustrious boxing career.
Tremendous Reach and Power
Lewis was a master technician in the ring. He had a terrifying 84-inch reach at 6’5, which he masterfully used to control the distance during fights. As if that wasn’t enough, even if you somehow managed to close the gap, Lewis also mastered defensive boxing, so good luck getting through his iron defense.
Consistently Good
Lennox was a three-time world champion and held the title for a total of 4,552 days against some real monsters. He fought and defeated top contenders across multiple eras, from the early ’90s to the early 2000s, quickly adapting from boxing to brawling when the time was right. He was a complete fighter and went up against incredibly difficult opponents to prove his worth throughout his career and even retired as reigning champion, how awesome is that?
Fourth Place: Larry Holmes
Holmes, known as the “Easton Assassin” is such an underrated name when discussing the greatest heavyweights, and I’m here to amend that. Larry had one of the best jabs in boxing history and held the heavyweight title for seven and a half years, from 1978 to 1985 with 20 successful title defenses. These are insane stats for a fighter, and the only reason he doesn’t get enough credit is because he lived under Ali’s and Tyson’s shadow.
He bridged two eras in boxing: the tail end of Muhammad Ali’s career and the rise of Mike Tyson. He beat fighters like Norton, Earnie Shavers, Gerry Cooney and even Muhammad Ali himself, which is a mix of former champions and legends in the sport. Here are some of his most notable fights:
Ken Norton in 1978
This was a brutal 15-round war against Norton, and is still considered one of the best heavyweight fights of all time. The fight had everything, and Holmes had to dig deep and rally in the final round to win in a split decision. It was his beginning as one of longest reigning champions in the sport.
Earnie Shavers in 1979
Shavers was one of the hardest-hitting boxers in heavyweight history, and Holmes fought him twice. During their second fight in 1979, Shavers actually floored Larry with a devastating right hand that would’ve knocked anyone else out. Holmes, as if out of a Rocky movie, got back up after that seventh round and dominated the rest of the fight, to everyone’s amazement. This tremendous display of heart and resilience earned him a TKO victory in the 11th round, and proved that Larry was a champion through and through.
Muhammad Ali in 1980
I can already hear some of you saying that it’s in bad taste to even include this fight, but we’re talking about the greatest of all time in boxing history. Even if Holmes beat Ali well past his prime, it’s a noteworthy fight that proved how powerful Larry was back in the day.
Ali was Larry’s former mentor, and a cultural icon by then. They fought ten rounds with Larry showing clear dominance throughout, until Ali’s corner stopped the fight. Making this list had to take into consideration not just how many wins a fighter had, but who he actually had to beat that get that win, or title. In this case, it was against none other than the greatest of this sport.
Legendary Match Control
Holmes controlled the fight’s pace, distance and rhythm with his most trustworthy weapon: his jab. He wore down his opponents, slowly but surely stacking tremendous damage on his opponent’s physique until his powerful right hand broke them. This level of control requires tremendous ring intelligence and technical skills, two major factors behind Holmes’ extended reign.
A Legacy of Resilience
Holmes could take a hit, but this could be said about many fighters. He had the ability to come back stronger somehow, which terrified his opponents. Larry was the kind of guy you had to decisively knock out, otherwise you risked summoning an even more dangerous version of the Easton Assassin. He never shied away from a fight or title defense either, fighting the toughest boxers of his time for as long as he boxed.
Fifth Place: George Foreman
George Foreman is another legend of boxing, and a knockout machine that rose through the ranks of boxing, with an outstanding record 76 wins and 5 losses. This half of famer fought Muhammad Ali, Frazier, Norton as well as Michael Moorer after he made an astonishing comeback to the sport. He’s a winner by nature and fate, and deserves a spot in this top 5.
Fighting against George was incredibly difficult, mainly because a single punch is all it took to send his opponent to a deep sleep. During the first half of his career, he won 37 out of his first 40 fights by knockout, many of these in the early rounds. Here are some of his most iconic fights:
Joe Frazier in 1973
Frazier went into this fight as the reigning heavyweight champion, an undefeated warrior that had just bested Muhammad Ali a couple of years back. What happened was completely unexpected: the underdog Foreman had knocked Frazier down six times in two rounds before the fight was stopped, with an absolutely dominant performance over a proven fighter. Howard Cossell’s famous phrase Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” still echoes in Boxing highlight videos even today.
Ken Norton in 1974
Norton was no joke: we’re talking about another top contender in an already stacked era of boxing that had beaten Ali once before. The fight took place in 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela and Norton had a bit of a reputation for fighting his best when facing a big opponent, so many anxiously waited for this promising fight. Big George, however, completely stopped Norton in his tracks by landing a tremendous uppercut in the first minute of the second round. Norton never really recovered and was knocked down twice before the fight was stopped.
Foreman had gained a reputation as an absolute machine that trampled even the best boxers early on. However, his next legendary fight would change everything.
Muhammad Ali in 1974
We’re back to a boxing all-time classic fight: the Rumble in the Jungle. These two boxing legends faced each other for the ultimate glory in this strange, suffocatingly-hot land. Big George arrived as the favorite, having dominated his opponents with sheer power, while Ali was (incorrectly) considered by many, as past his prime.
Ali’s physique might’ve wavered, but his mind was as sharp as ever. The famous “rope-a-dope” strategy tired Foreman out, who had become accustomed to dominating his opponents in the early rounds with his overwhelming power. Ali understood he couldn’t go blow-to-blow against this force of nature, and instead decided to exhaust him and whittle him down with sharp blows. Ali took the fight in spectacular fashion, and caused Foreman to eventually retire for some time.
Michael Moorer in 1994
Foreman had decided to return to boxing in 1987, at the age of 38 and completely reinvented himself as a fighter. His power was still his trump card, but he was more patient and calculating about unleashing his destructive punches.
At 45 years old, Foreman knocked out the 26-year-old heavyweight champion Michael Moorer to regain the title, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history. Moorer had scored points and was bound to win by decision had the fight continued to its end, however, Big George patiently waited for an opening and unleashed a monstrous right hand that put Moorer to bed.
It’s a legendary comeback that crowned an already magnificent career, and proved that he was not only a powerful fighter, but also an incredibly smart boxer that could reinvent himself and perform at the highest level, even at 45 years old.
The Comeback King
Boxers that come back to the sports and find success are rare to find, but legends that come back from retirement (way past their physical prime) to win the title? That’s Big George and no one else.
Foreman had two careers as a boxer and excelled in both, becoming part of boxing lore for years to come makes him worthy of this spot, and some could correctly argue he should be higher. I’ll leave that up to you to decide. If you’re all about redemption and believing an athlete can find success through reinvention, then your heart will have a soft spot for Big George, that much is true.
Final Words
From the iconic Muhammad Ali to the legendary Foreman, each of these fighters has shaped the heavyweight division and boxing as a sport in their unique way. Many think that the golden era of boxing has finished, and that we’re left with a more equally-matched sport that trades champions at breakneck speed, but there’s hope for the future.
It’s crazy to think what these legends could’ve done with today’s modern methods of training and nutrition, but there’s no reason to believe that the best is past us. Maybe another icon will rise during our lifetime and grace this sport and dethrone anyone in our list.
Asking boxing fans who are the best heavyweight boxers of all time is rarely a good idea. A top 5 varies from fan to fan so we’ll try explain our criteria at the end!
First Place: Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, originally named Cassius Clay is unanimously considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. He won 56 of his 61 professional fights, 37 by knockout, and he embodied a near-perfect combination of skill, sharp wit and charisma when he stepped into the ring.
You might’ve heard the phrase “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”, which Ali used to describe how he’d beat Sonny Liston before their fight in 1964. This phrase perfectly described Ali’s style, who possessed an unnatural speed for a man his size, surgical precision and tremendous power behind each jab and flurry.
Ali faced some of the, statistically speaking, toughest fighters in history too. He beat Sonny Liston twice, overcame Frazier in two out of three epic battles, and dethroned Foreman when no one thought he could. The Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manila fights have become part of boxing’s legendary lore, and Ali is at the center of it all.
Here are some of his most iconic fights, and why they put him at the top of the ranking:
Ali vs Sonny Liston in 1964
Ali, then Cassius Clay, was a 22-year-old underdog going up against Sonny Liston, a boxing prodigy that started his professional career much later in life than most pro athletes today. Liston started boxing seriously after leaving prison, and was an incredibly intimidating fighter to face, perhaps the most intimidating in boxing history.
Sonny had 8:1 odds to beat Ali, but the unexpected happened: Liston couldn’t get back up on the seventh round due to a torn tendon in his left shoulder. Ali had burst into the highest level of boxing with a decisive win over the champion.
Ali vs Frazier in 1971
Known as the Fight of the Century, Ali faced Joe Frazier, who was undefeated and held the title Ali had been stripped of. This was a fight between two undefeated champions that went down to the wire in a 15-round decision, which crowned Frazier. The fight itself was unlike anything up to that point, with Ali taking the win in 1974, and a decisive tiebreaker to be fought a year later.
Ali vs Frazier in 1975
This fight was known as “Thrilla in Manila” and it’s, to many, the most brutal fight in boxing history. Ali said that it was the closest thing to dying he had ever experienced, while Frazier was so swollen he couldn’t even see the punches coming from the right. Round 13 and 14 were absolutely brutal, and according to Ali’s biography, he was ready to quit, but Frazier corner’s quit before he did. It was an inspiring display between two warriors, with Ali overpowering Frazier with powerful hits that sent the mouthguard airborne.
Ali vs Foreman in 1974
Another legendary fight that had its own name: the Rumble in the Jungle. Foreman had overwhelmed Frazier and Norton, two fighters that had beaten Ali at one point. Foreman had a record of 40-0 with 37 knockouts and was a favorite in by most sportsbook at the time. Ali used his famous “rope-a-dope” strategy, leaning against the ropes to dissipate Foreman’s punches and preserve his own stamina. At the eighth round, Ali saw an opening and cleanly knocked Foreman out, consolidating one of boxing’s greatest upsets in history.
This goes to show that Ali had tremendous skill, speed and strength, but his ability to clutch a win from seemingly impossible odds and circumstances is what put him above the rest.
Ali’s Opponents and Level of Competition
Muhammad Ali fought the best, often multiple times, and usually came out on top. The quality of his opponents was extraordinary, many of these fighters were either champions or future Hall of Famers. Many fighters that didn’t break the top 5 dominated their eras, but their competition just wasn’t as tough.
Brains and Brawn
Ali wasn’t just physically talented; he was a master strategist. He outsmarted Liston, endured Frazier’s onslaught and outplayed Foreman’s abominable strength. He boxed on a different level, and that’s what allowed him to beat some of the greatest in the sport.
Beyond the numbers, Ali’s impact on the sport and society was enormous. He stood up against the Vietnam War, sacrificed years of his prime for his beliefs, and became a global icon for his courage both in and out of the ring. You have to remember, some of his greatest fights occurred after he had sacrificed many of his best years as a boxer, when he was at his theoretical prime as an athlete.
Second Place: Joe Louis
The Brown Bomber is, without question, one of the greatest heavyweights to ever step into the ring. He held the title for almost 12 years (from 1937 to 1949) with 25 title defenses that mark the longest reign in history. Honestly, ff it wasn’t for Ali, he’d be the first place in our list.
Joe wasn’t the kind of fighter the heavily vetted his opposition for easy wins either: he took on some real warriors during his long reign. Max Schmeling, James J. Braddock, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Billy Conn were some of the boxers that fought against Louis and tested his limits as a champion.
Some of his most important fights were:
Max Schmeling in 1938
Max had already beaten Louis a couple of years back, and this rematch had a lot going for it: it wasn’t just a personal challenge, it was a cultural event that pitted Nazi Germany against the US. The event featured a symbolic clash between two superpowers, which ended with a crushing defeat for Schmeling in the first round.
The Bomber knocked him down three times before they stopped the fight, redeeming Joe as a top-notch fighter. The free world rallied behind Louis and the hope of defeating Nazi Germany in an equally convincing fashion.
Billy Conn in 1941
Conn was a light heavyweight champion that moved up just to beat the Brown Bomber. Conn, despite his newly gained weight, was fast as lightning and proved an incredibly crafty and powerful opponent that was beating Louis until the 12th round. However, Joe never gave up and caught Conn lacking, knocking him out in the 13th round. Some boxers have a certain aura around them that says: “I can turn any fight around, at any time”, and Joe certainly had it.
Jersey Joe Walcott in 1948
Walcott had managed to knock Louis down twice during a fight in 1947, and many questioned whether Louis deserved to win that fight at all. A rematch was needed to cement Louis’ reputation, and it happened the next year. The match was incredibly tough, with Walcott’s unorthodox movement and heavy blows testing Joe’s skills and physique, however, a devastating knockout in the 11th round put Walcott to sleep. Any rumors and doubts about Joe’s superiority were quickly dismissed after that.
A Precision Bomber
The Brown Bomber was a master of technique. His punches were devastating, and tremendously accurate (especially his right). His tremendous power allowed him to hold the title for nearly 12 years, which is absolutely mental even today.
Consistency Incarnate
The rarest of human’s virtue is consistency, and Joe managed to achieve that in boxing. He was the kind of boxers that never had off nights and carefully trained and maintained his physique throughout the years. He had the mental toughness and consistency of a champion, which clearly put him one step above all but one boxer in history.
Third Place: Lennox Lewis
I can already feel the flak I’ll get for this one, but hear me out. Lewis beat almost every top contender of his era, often in spectacular fashion, which was very much his style. The man had a record of 41 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 32 knockouts, going up against some of the finest boxers in the sport’s history too.
By the way, his losses against Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman? He avenged both of those with knockouts, which made quite a few people some serious money. Let’s see some of his most iconic fights:
Razor Ruddock in 1992
Ruddock was a beast back in 92, people thought Lewis would be another victim to Donovan’s half-hook, half-uppercut left punch that he called “The Smash”. His punches were deliberate and had frightening power behind them, but this talented fighter was about to taste defeat. Lewis dominated and knocked the Canadian out in the second round, and forced everyone in the scene to recognize his talent.
Holyfield Fights in 1999
These two juggernauts fought twice, with the first fight ending in a controversial draw that most thought Lewis had won. Lewis had scored 348 punches against Holyfield’s 130, which is a substantial difference that somehow didn’t give him the victory.
The rematch was the most anticipated fight of the year, and Lewis won by unanimous decision to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Keep in mind that Holyfield was a Hall of Famer, exactly the kind of fighter you want to go up against to prove your worth as one of the greatest. To most fans, he had beaten Holyfield twice by now, even if the first fight ended in a controversial draw.
Mike Tyson in 2002
Iron Mike was past his prime, but he was still an incredibly fast and fierce boxer that could easily be amongst the best of the best of the sport. Lewis, however, utterly dominated the fight and knocked Tyson out in the eighth round. Again, this wasn’t prime Mike, but the fight garnered a lot of attention and hype and Lewis convincingly dominated throughout the whole match, which is nothing short of impressive.
Vitali Klitschko in 2003
This fight was nothing short of incredible: Lewis, the legend on his last fight before retirement, against the up-and-coming star of the sport, Klitschko. Klitschko was, by all accounts, winning the fight against an incredibly tenacious, but past-prime Lewis that still proved himself capable and dangerous in the ring. The champion had opened a cut in the third round right above Vitali’s eye which leveled the field in the next few rounds.
However, by the seventh round, the cut above Klitschko’s left eye turned severe, and the fight was stopped. He actually required sixty stitches, which is frightening to even think that Lennox’s punches did that with a padded glove. Lennox won by TKO, and earned a legendary win over the man who would dominate heavyweight boxing after his retirement. It was a near perfect ending for an illustrious boxing career.
Tremendous Reach and Power
Lewis was a master technician in the ring. He had a terrifying 84-inch reach at 6’5, which he masterfully used to control the distance during fights. As if that wasn’t enough, even if you somehow managed to close the gap, Lewis also mastered defensive boxing, so good luck getting through his iron defense.
Consistently Good
Lennox was a three-time world champion and held the title for a total of 4,552 days against some real monsters. He fought and defeated top contenders across multiple eras, from the early ’90s to the early 2000s, quickly adapting from boxing to brawling when the time was right. He was a complete fighter and went up against incredibly difficult opponents to prove his worth throughout his career and even retired as reigning champion, how awesome is that?
Fourth Place: Larry Holmes
Holmes, known as the “Easton Assassin” is such an underrated name when discussing the greatest heavyweights, and I’m here to amend that. Larry had one of the best jabs in boxing history and held the heavyweight title for seven and a half years, from 1978 to 1985 with 20 successful title defenses. These are insane stats for a fighter, and the only reason he doesn’t get enough credit is because he lived under Ali’s and Tyson’s shadow.
He bridged two eras in boxing: the tail end of Muhammad Ali’s career and the rise of Mike Tyson. He beat fighters like Norton, Earnie Shavers, Gerry Cooney and even Muhammad Ali himself, which is a mix of former champions and legends in the sport. Here are some of his most notable fights:
Ken Norton in 1978
This was a brutal 15-round war against Norton, and is still considered one of the best heavyweight fights of all time. The fight had everything, and Holmes had to dig deep and rally in the final round to win in a split decision. It was his beginning as one of longest reigning champions in the sport.
Earnie Shavers in 1979
Shavers was one of the hardest-hitting boxers in heavyweight history, and Holmes fought him twice. During their second fight in 1979, Shavers actually floored Larry with a devastating right hand that would’ve knocked anyone else out. Holmes, as if out of a Rocky movie, got back up after that seventh round and dominated the rest of the fight, to everyone’s amazement. This tremendous display of heart and resilience earned him a TKO victory in the 11th round, and proved that Larry was a champion through and through.
Muhammad Ali in 1980
I can already hear some of you saying that it’s in bad taste to even include this fight, but we’re talking about the greatest of all time in boxing history. Even if Holmes beat Ali well past his prime, it’s a noteworthy fight that proved how powerful Larry was back in the day.
Ali was Larry’s former mentor, and a cultural icon by then. They fought ten rounds with Larry showing clear dominance throughout, until Ali’s corner stopped the fight. Making this list had to take into consideration not just how many wins a fighter had, but who he actually had to beat that get that win, or title. In this case, it was against none other than the greatest of this sport.
Legendary Match Control
Holmes controlled the fight’s pace, distance and rhythm with his most trustworthy weapon: his jab. He wore down his opponents, slowly but surely stacking tremendous damage on his opponent’s physique until his powerful right hand broke them. This level of control requires tremendous ring intelligence and technical skills, two major factors behind Holmes’ extended reign.
A Legacy of Resilience
Holmes could take a hit, but this could be said about many fighters. He had the ability to come back stronger somehow, which terrified his opponents. Larry was the kind of guy you had to decisively knock out, otherwise you risked summoning an even more dangerous version of the Easton Assassin. He never shied away from a fight or title defense either, fighting the toughest boxers of his time for as long as he boxed.
Fifth Place: George Foreman
George Foreman is another legend of boxing, and a knockout machine that rose through the ranks of boxing, with an outstanding record 76 wins and 5 losses. This half of famer fought Muhammad Ali, Frazier, Norton as well as Michael Moorer after he made an astonishing comeback to the sport. He’s a winner by nature and fate, and deserves a spot in this top 5.
Fighting against George was incredibly difficult, mainly because a single punch is all it took to send his opponent to a deep sleep. During the first half of his career, he won 37 out of his first 40 fights by knockout, many of these in the early rounds. Here are some of his most iconic fights:
Joe Frazier in 1973
Frazier went into this fight as the reigning heavyweight champion, an undefeated warrior that had just bested Muhammad Ali a couple of years back. What happened was completely unexpected: the underdog Foreman had knocked Frazier down six times in two rounds before the fight was stopped, with an absolutely dominant performance over a proven fighter. Howard Cossell’s famous phrase Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!” still echoes in Boxing highlight videos even today.
Ken Norton in 1974
Norton was no joke: we’re talking about another top contender in an already stacked era of boxing that had beaten Ali once before. The fight took place in 1974 in Caracas, Venezuela and Norton had a bit of a reputation for fighting his best when facing a big opponent, so many anxiously waited for this promising fight. Big George, however, completely stopped Norton in his tracks by landing a tremendous uppercut in the first minute of the second round. Norton never really recovered and was knocked down twice before the fight was stopped.
Foreman had gained a reputation as an absolute machine that trampled even the best boxers early on. However, his next legendary fight would change everything.
Muhammad Ali in 1974
We’re back to a boxing all-time classic fight: the Rumble in the Jungle. These two boxing legends faced each other for the ultimate glory in this strange, suffocatingly-hot land. Big George arrived as the favorite, having dominated his opponents with sheer power, while Ali was (incorrectly) considered by many, as past his prime.
Ali’s physique might’ve wavered, but his mind was as sharp as ever. The famous “rope-a-dope” strategy tired Foreman out, who had become accustomed to dominating his opponents in the early rounds with his overwhelming power. Ali understood he couldn’t go blow-to-blow against this force of nature, and instead decided to exhaust him and whittle him down with sharp blows. Ali took the fight in spectacular fashion, and caused Foreman to eventually retire for some time.
Michael Moorer in 1994
Foreman had decided to return to boxing in 1987, at the age of 38 and completely reinvented himself as a fighter. His power was still his trump card, but he was more patient and calculating about unleashing his destructive punches.
At 45 years old, Foreman knocked out the 26-year-old heavyweight champion Michael Moorer to regain the title, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion in history. Moorer had scored points and was bound to win by decision had the fight continued to its end, however, Big George patiently waited for an opening and unleashed a monstrous right hand that put Moorer to bed.
It’s a legendary comeback that crowned an already magnificent career, and proved that he was not only a powerful fighter, but also an incredibly smart boxer that could reinvent himself and perform at the highest level, even at 45 years old.
The Comeback King
Boxers that come back to the sports and find success are rare to find, but legends that come back from retirement (way past their physical prime) to win the title? That’s Big George and no one else.
Foreman had two careers as a boxer and excelled in both, becoming part of boxing lore for years to come makes him worthy of this spot, and some could correctly argue he should be higher. I’ll leave that up to you to decide. If you’re all about redemption and believing an athlete can find success through reinvention, then your heart will have a soft spot for Big George, that much is true.
Final Words
From the iconic Muhammad Ali to the legendary Foreman, each of these fighters has shaped the heavyweight division and boxing as a sport in their unique way. Many think that the golden era of boxing has finished, and that we’re left with a more equally-matched sport that trades champions at breakneck speed, but there’s hope for the future.
It’s crazy to think what these legends could’ve done with today’s modern methods of training and nutrition, but there’s no reason to believe that the best is past us. Maybe another icon will rise during our lifetime and grace this sport and dethrone anyone in our list.
