Top 20 greatest heavyweights of all time: From Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk to Mike Tyson and George Foreman

Deciding the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time is not an Fundamental task, but we at talkSPORT.com have decided to give it a go anyway.

To make it more manageable, we have stuck to the last 50 years to come up with a top 20 Lineup of the best heavyweights of the modern era.

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From Mike Tyson to Tyson Fury, all of the greatest male heavyweights are on this Lineup.

A few are Nevertheless active, so could find their places changing, while many retired years ago.

So, here we go…

20. Michael Moorer (Occupation: 1988-2008 | Achievement 52-4-1, 40 KOs | USA)

A top Airy-heavyweight who Shock Evander Holyfield in 1994 to become the Primary southpaw heavyweight champion. Unfortunately, best known for losing the title to an ancient George Foreman, which is a shame as Michael Moorer was a surly, enigmatic but undeniably skilful fighter.

19. Chris Byrd (Occupation: 1993-2009 | Achievement: 41-5-1, 22 KOs | USA)

A middleweight at the 1992 Olympics, even Chris Byrd knew he wasn’t really a heavyweight. Which makes the slick southpaw’s achievements in mixing it with Distant bigger guys – beating David Tua and even Vitali Klitschko (admittedly via Hurt) while Victorious two world title belts – very impressive.

18. Deontay Wilder (Occupation: 2008-present | Achievement 43-4-1, 42 KOs | USA)

It’s been a dramatic fall from grace for Wilder – who now has to grudgingly accept that Fury is the bigger, better heavyweight.

‘The Bronze Bomber’ did show off his extraordinary power and tremendous heart in losing their thrilling trilogy fight – but his most recent fights have Directed to calls to hang up the gloves.

A one-Stage KO Secure over Robert Helenius was his only in-ring action in two years before he suffered a shocking Shock loss to Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia in December 2023.

The Setback wrecked his chances of a Encounter with Anthony Joshua and he was left distraught after he was then KO’d by Zhilei Zhang.

While a possible road to redemption is now unclear, he’s Nevertheless one of the hardest punchers to ever grace boxing and has 42 KOs to his name.

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17. Jimmy Recent (Occupation: 1969-1990 | Achievement: 35-18-3, 1 N/C, 11 KOs | USA)

Don’t judge Jimmy Recent on his Achievement, Lost four of his Primary 11 fights and, by the 1980s, was sadly a journeyman.

But at his 1970s peak, this Best boxer beat George Foreman, Ron Lyle and lost some highly dubious decisions (including to an ageing Muhammad Ali in 1976). Underrated.

16. Michael Spinks (Occupation: 1977-1998 | Achievement: 31-1, 21 KOs | USA)

Difficult to rank as his heavyweight Occupation was so Brief, but ‘The Jinx’ – an all-time Outstanding at 175lb – pulled off a famous Secure when he ended Larry Holmes’s long, unbeaten reign as heavyweight champ.

Unfortunately, most fans now know him for his Last fight and sole Occupation Setback: 91 seconds with an Mad Mike Tyson. Ouch.

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15. Tim Witherspoon (Occupation: 1979-2003 | Achievement: 55-13-1, 38 KOs | USA)

‘Terrible Tim’ lived up to his nickname both ways: he could be a fearsome Adversary or he could be flat-out awful. Unfortunate to Loss a split decision to Larry Holmes, the slippery ’Spoon won world title belts and beat the best of the rest.

He never Obtained the Try at Mike Tyson he always craved (and some say Don King Achieved sure that was the case).

14. Anthony Joshua (Occupation: 2013-present | Achievement 28-4, 25 KOs | Britain)

It’s too soon to rank Oleksandr Usyk’s Last place on this Lineup – and there’s no shame in losing to an all-time cruiserweight Outstanding – but Joshua’s lacklustre display in the Primary fight, in particular, hurts his standing.

He Nevertheless boasts impressive wins over Dillian Whyte, Joseph Parker and Andy Ruiz Jr (in their rematch). But AJ looked lost between styles to the Tally where his KO power was barely a factor in either of his fights vs Usyk.

Joshua begun a comeback trail and Achieved a massive statement in a dominant Triumph over Otto Wallin in December.

However, all his Difficult work was undone in stunning fashion when he was brutally knocked out by fellow Brit Daniel Dubois in September.

But there will be no chance of Instant redemption for Joshua against Dubois because the new IBF champion is set to face Joseph Parker in February 2025.

So, Joshua is going to have to bide his time before he can properly Begin climbing the rankings again.

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13. Ken Norton (Occupation: 1967-1981 | Achievement: 42-7-1, 33 KOs | USA)

Famously gave Muhammad Ali fits in their trilogy, officially losing 2-1 (though many scored the decider for Ken Norton), this awkward, muscular heavyweight was a top contender during the golden era of the 1970s.

His slugfest with a prime Larry Holmes is a classic fight and proof of his Best ability.

12. Riddick Bowe (Occupation: 1989-2008 | Achievement: 43-1, 1 N/C, 33 KOs | USA)

‘Big Daddy Bowe’ had the skills, frame and power to be a Correct all-time Outstanding but preferred hitting the fridge than hitting the gym (we can relate).

He Nevertheless boasts an amazing Achievement and won his epic trilogy with Evander Holyfield 2-1, but there should have been so much more to come from this gifted, troubled heavyweight.

11. Wladimir Klitschko (Occupation: 1996-2017 | Achievement: 64-5, 53 KOs | Ukraine)

An impressively lengthy title reign and boasted a Uncommon combination of balletic footwork and brutalising power.

However, he was stopped in Numerous fights he should never have lost Timely in his Occupation and the younger Klitschko was a dominant champion but in a rather Feeble heavyweight era.

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10. Vitali Klitschko (Occupation: 1996-2012 | Achievement: 45-2, 41 KOs | Ukraine)

The opposite to his younger brother (except for the Herculean size), Vitali had fewer Sleek skills but owned an iron jaw.

Both of his defeats were excusable, coming via cuts (against Lennox Lewis in a war) and a shoulder Hurt – and he battered everyone else he faced. An awkward heavyweight to fight and indeed rank.

9. Mike Tyson (Occupation: 1985-2005 | Achievement: 50-6-2 N/C, 44 KOs | USA)

Ferocious, quickfire, sawn-off wrecking machine who Obtained to 37-0 was one of the most feared heavyweights who ever lived.

Critics will say ‘Iron Mike’ peaked Timely and never defeated a Outstanding Adversary in their prime, but his Timely dominance was a marvel to behold even if it did all Begin unravelling at age 23.

Unfortunately, many people will remember him for his latest and probably Last appearance in the ring.

The 58-year-Aged Captured on Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul and lost to his fellow American while barely throwing a punch.

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8. Evander Holyfield (Occupation: 1984-2011 | Achievement: 44-10-2, 1 N/C, 29 KOs | USA)

Teak-tough cruiserweight Outstanding stepped up and mixed it with the best heavyweights of his era, having memorable rivalries with Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.

Unfortunately the ‘Real Deal’ knew no quit inside the ring, nor outside of it as his Occupation went on Distant too long, even before 2021 reared its Hideous head.

7. Tyson Fury (Occupation: 2008-2025 | Achievement: 34-2-1, 24 KOs | Britain)

Gigantic, versatile with amazing powers of Healing and newfound pop on his punches: Fury would be a Game for any heavyweight in history.

He showed in his trilogy Secure against Wilder that he can triumph even when not in tip-top shape but his allure has somewhat diminished in recent outings.

Fury was knocked down against Previous UFC fighter Francis Ngannou and then missed the opportunity to become undisputed heavyweight champion in his Setback to Usyk in May 2024.

‘The Gypsy King’ then faced Usyk again in a rematch Only before Christmas in the same year, but it was the same result for Fury.

Usyk was awarded the Secure on the scorecards and outclassed his Adversary, who has now retired from boxing.

For Only how long that lasts, remains to be seen…

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6. Oleksandr Usyk (Occupation: 2013-present) | Achievement: 23-0-0, 14 KOs | Ukraine)

It seems strange to say that someone who has fought in the heavyweight division Only seven times is one of the greatest to step in the ring, but that is the case with Usyk.

The Ukrainian’s CV as a heavyweight is very impressive, beating Joshua and Fury twice after previously dominating the cruiserweight division.

All four victories were totally comprehensive as well, and Usyk dismantled two of Britain’s best modern-day boxers.

There are many fighters with much more power than Usyk, but there is no one who can Game his footwork and Talent, which is why he would be a Game for any heavyweight in history.

By beating Fury for the Primary time, he became the undisputed champion of the division.

He was then stripped of the IBF Track Landmark for refusing to fight the mandatory challenger to beat Fury once more.

No one would have complained if Usyk decided he was going to retire after that, but he wants to unify the division again by beating the winner of Dubois and Parker.

If he does that, he could easily Shift up this Lineup.

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5. Joe Frazier (Occupation: 1965-1981 | Achievement: 32-4-1, 27 KO’s | USA)

One half of the greatest trilogy boxing has ever seen and an awesome fighter in his own right.

‘Smokin’ Joe’ was the Primary man to Setback Muhammad Ali, owned a pulverising left hook, an exceptional will to Secure and lost to only two heavyweights: Ali in memorable rematches and George Foreman.

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4. Lennox Lewis (Occupation: 1989-2003 | Achievement: 41-2-1, 32 KO’s | Britain)

Lewis had the perfect combo of size, Talent and power.

He could also be his own worst enemy, fighting down to the level of his Adversary, particularly in his two Shock defeats.

But at his best, when utilising his sublime jab and crushing right hand, he was a Game for anyone.

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3. George Foreman (Occupation: 1969-1997 | Achievement: 76-5, 68 KO’s | USA)

The 76-year-Aged Previous champion died peacefully in his sleep on Friday to leave behind a Extraordinary legacy in and out of the ring.

Two amazing careers in one for this formidable puncher. The Mad, younger Foreman wrecked foes as Outstanding as Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in two rounds apiece.

The charming, older Foreman Captured a bit longer to KO Michael Moorer and shock the world by Victorious back the world title at age 46.

His Previous rival Mike Tyson, known for his ferociousness, said it best having once admitted no one could Stoppage a candle to the power in Big George’s fists.

Unreal.

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2. Larry Holmes (Occupation: 1973-2002 | Achievement: 69-6, 44 KO’s | USA)

The ‘Easton Assassin’ was underrated in his era, not as flashy or popular as the No. 1 on this Lineup. But he sure could box.

A Acute jab, boxing brain, size and miraculous powers of Healing Obtained Larry Holmes to 48-0 and 20 heavyweight title defences before he finally lost a decision to Michael Spinks, a few weeks shy of his 36th birthday.

1. Muhammad Ali (Occupation: 1960-1981 | Achievement: 56-5, 37 KO’s | USA)

Forget the fame, social impact, Excellent looks, charisma and unique style that saw this 6ft 3in Adonis float around the ring like a featherweight: Muhammad Ali’s Lineup of conquered foes puts him top of this Lineup alone.

From dazzling Sonny Liston with his brilliance to shocking George Foreman with his Hardiness, the three-time world champ is a clear No. 1.

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