NEW YORK – AUGUST 26: Boxing gloves at the Aerospace Performance Center on August 26, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
With Tyson Fury announcing his retirement last week (even though it’s likely that he will return), it seems like a good time to see who the 10 greatest heavyweights are in boxing history. Did Fury make the cut? Leave a comment and see if you agree or disagree with this list.
10. Jack Johnson
American boxer Jack Johnson (1878 – 1946), the world heavyweight champion, in a boxing stance, early 1910s. (Photo by FPG/Getty Images)
Boxing’s first African-American Champion
9. Jack Dempsey
circa 1925: American boxer Jack Dempsey (1895 – 1983) poses outdoors in a fighting stance. He wears boxing trunks and gloves. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
An American Icon
8. Evander Holyfield
HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 11: Evander Holyfield enters the ring prior to the fight against Vitor Belfort during Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort presented by Triller at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on September 11, 2021 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Only 4-time World Champion
7. Joe Frazier
Portrait of American boxer Joe Frazier (1944 – 2011), dressed in a tuxedo and bowtie, as he smiles while holding his right fist raised, New York, 1983. (Photo by Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)
Pushed Ali as far as anyone could
6. Larry Holmes
American heavyweight boxer Larry Holmes stands in the ring during training, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 1982. (Photo by Camerique/Getty Images)
Underappreciated, held the title for eight years
5. George Foreman
(Original Caption) 10/26/1968-Mexico City, Mexico- George Foreman of Houston, TX, waves a small American flag after he won the Olympics heavyweight boxing gold medal to climax America’s greatest effort at an Olympics. The US walked away with 45 gold medals, 27 silvers and 34 bronze. Foreman scored a second-round technical knockout over Ionas Chepulis of the Soviet Union.
From Olympian to Champion, to Champion again at 46 years old.
4. Rocky Marciano
(Original Caption) 8/18/1955- Grossinger, NY: Solid defender. World heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano gets in some licks with the big bag while training here for his forthcoming bout with Archie Moore. Marciano will defend his title against the light heavyweight champion September 20th at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by UPI/Bettmann via Getty Images)
49-0 with 43 KO’s speaks for itself
3. Lennox Lewis
1992: Portrait of WBC Heavyweight Champion boxer Lennox Lewis of Great Britain in Jamaica. \ Mandatory Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport
3-time World Champion and ultimate ring technician
2. Joe Louis
Joe Louis, heavyweight champion of the world, July 1945. (Photo by Underwood Archives/Getty Images)
25 consecutive title defenses
1. Muhammad Ali
BRONX, NY – MAY 17: Cassius Clay, 20 year old heavyweight contender from Louisville, Kentucky poses for the camera on May 17, 1962, in Bronx, New York. (Photo by Stanley Weston/Getty Images)
