The heavyweight division has bought boxing fans some of the most exhilarating fights and memorable moments in the sport.
From the Superstars of boxing’s golden age to the technical masters of modern boxing, the heavyweight hall of fame houses some of the most amazing boxers the world has ever seen.
As far as the top 10 are concerned, everyone has their own list. The debate about the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time is a never-ending one.
However, there are some great boxers who make everyone’s list. So, gear up, and let’s take a journey through the heavyweight boxing hall of fame.
OKbet Online Casino joins you in our tribute to the most dominant heavyweight boxer of all time.
NO.10 American boxer Jack Dempsey, Boxing Record 61-6-8 (50 KO)
Starting off, at number 10 we have Jack Dempsey, the undisputed heavyweight king of the 1920s. Dempsey had a true rags-to-riches story. At just 16 years old, he left home with nothing to his name and lived on the streets, but his determination and natural talent led him to become the biggest name in boxing in the 1920s.
With an exciting style that combined power and speed, Jack Dempsey dominated the ring and became the first boxer to draw gate receipts exceeding a million dollars. He had a massive impact on the sport of boxing and is widely considered the first-ever boxing superstar.
Today, Jack Dempsey’s legacy lives on as one of the inaugural members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and a top-ranked heavyweight of all time. In fact, he is ranked number 10 by The Ring Magazine.
NO.9 American boxer Mike Tyson, Boxing Record 50-6 (44 KO)
Next up, we have a heavyweight boxer whose name alone sends shivers down the spines of boxing fans and opponents alike. The youngest heavyweight champion in history, Mike Tyson was a force to be reckoned with.
Tyson terrorized the heavyweight division through a career spanning two decades and claimed the heavyweight title twice. He also held the unified WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring heavyweight titles, and made a total of nine title defenses during his career.
Tyson was even named Ring Magazine’s “Fighter of the Year” twice in 1986 and 1988. His electrifying style and relentless power earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011 and cemented his place as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
NO.8 American boxer Evander Holyfield, Boxing Record 44-10-2 (29 KO)
Evander Holyfield is a true legend in the sport of boxing. Starting his career at cruiserweight, Holyfield quickly made a name for himself, unifying the WBA, WBC, and IBF cruiserweight titles.
After Moving up to heavyweight, he continued his winning streak, becoming the first man to knock out Buster Douglas and claim the world heavyweight title in 1990. He became a 2-time unified world heavyweight champion, holding the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles, and his second fight against Mike Tyson will forever be remembered as one of the most iconic bouts in boxing history.
Holyfield was inducted into the boxing hall of fame in 2017, and he retired with a boxing record of 44-10-2.
NO.7 American boxer Joe Frazier, Boxing Record 32-4-1 (27 KO)
Hailing from the city of Brotherly Love, Joe Frazier, also known as “Smokin’ Joe”, was completed during a time when the heavyweight division was filled with some of the toughest fighters to ever step into the ring.
He made history when he defeated Jimmy Ellis to become the WBA and WBC heavyweight champion, a title that was left vacant after Muhammad Ali was stripped of it due to his refusal to be drafted. Frazier was also the first man to ever defeat Muhammad Ali, ending his 31-fight undefeated streak.
Joe Frazier was named Ring Magazine’s “Fighter of the Year” three times, and in 1990, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame with the inaugural class. Though he passed away in 2011, Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s legacy lives on as one of the greatest heavyweights in the sport’s history.
NO.6 American boxer George Foreman, Boxing Record 76-5 (68 KO)
Before his entrepreneurial success, George Foreman was a heavyweight champion to be reckoned with. Through a career spanning 28 years, he became the heavyweight champion twice and was also an Olympic Gold medalist.
Foreman made history by defeating Joe Frazier to become the unified WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight champion, which he defended twice before facing Muhammad Ali in one of the biggest fights of his career.
Foreman holds the record for being the oldest heavyweight champion in the world, a feat that is even more remarkable when you consider that he achieved it at the age of 45. He retired at the age of 48 and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.
NO.5 American boxer Larry Holmes, Boxing Record 69-6 (44 KO)
Larry Holmes dominated the boxing ring for nearly three decades.
He started his championship journey by defeating Ken Norton in a brutal 15-round battle to become the WBC heavyweight champion. He then defended his titles 8 times, before facing Muhammad Ali in his comeback fight, where Holmes dominated and forced Ali’s corner to stop the fight.
Holmes held the WBC, IBF, and Lineal heavyweight titles, and he made a record-breaking 20 title defenses, he retired from boxing in 2002, and was inducted into the international boxing hall of fame in 2008.
NO.4 American boxer Rocky Marciano, Boxing Record 49-0 (43 KO)
Rocky Marciano is the only heavyweight champion to end his career undefeated while holding the heavyweight undisputed boxing champions.
He became the unified NBA, NYSAC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight champion, he fiercely defended his titles 6 times. He had wins over some of the biggest boxers of his time, and a remarkable 43 of his 49 victories came via knockout.
Rocky Marciano, retired in 1955 and passed away in 1969 at the age of 45. However, his legacy lives in the boxing International Boxing Hall of Fame.
NO.3 England boxer Lennox Lewis, Boxing Record 41-2-1 (32 KO)
No list of the best heavyweight boxers in the world can be complete without mentioning Lennox Lewis.
Lennox Lewis became the Heavyweight world champion three times and was also a two-time lineal champion. At the peak of his career, he held the unified WBA, WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight championships, making him the last fighter to become the heavyweight undisputed boxing champion.
He further cemented his legacy by defeating Tyson and retiring as the unified WBC, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion. Lennox Lewis was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009.
NO.2 American boxer Joe Louis, Boxing Record 66-3 (52 KO)
At number 2, we have Joe Louis, also known as the “Brown Bomber.” Louis had an impressive career that spanned over 17 years, and he reigned as the unified heavyweight champion for more than 12 of them.
Joe Louis won the NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight championships and defended his titles an unparalleled 25 times. This achievement remains a record for the most consecutive title defenses in boxing history. Joe Louis was also honored with the “Fighter of the Year” award from The Ring magazine four times during his career.
Sadly, Joe Louis passed away in 1981 at the age of 66, however, his legacy lives on in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
NO.1 American boxer Muhammad Ali, Boxing Record 56-5 (37 KO)
Muhammad Ali famously referred to himself as “The Greatest”, and he had a boxing career worthy of this name.
He had a charismatic personality that was full of confidence, and he was a true superstar both inside and outside the ring. Ali revolutionized showmanship in sports, and was known for making bold predictions and always backing them up with his exceptional fighting abilities.
As an amateur, Ali won an Olympic gold medal and as a professional, he became a three-time heavyweight world champion and the only three-time lineal heavyweight champion ever. He was honored with the “Fighter of the Year” award from The Ring magazine six times during his career and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.
Ali passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, but to this day, he remains The Greatest of All Time.
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