Top 10 Greatest Boxing Heavyweights in the World -Ranked 2025 Update

The 10 Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of the 21st Century highlights the fighters who defined an era of modern heavyweight boxing. From Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko’s dominance to the rise of Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, this ranking explores the champions who combined power, skill, and resilience to shape the sport. With knockout artists like Deontay Wilder, comeback kings like Anthony Joshua, and rising stars such as Daniel Dubois, these men represent the most influential heavyweights of the modern era.

Explore the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of the 21st Century. From Klitschko to Usyk and Fury, see 2025’s top 10 rankings and career records.

10.Joseph Parker – New Zealand

Joseph Parker has rebuilt his career to prove why he belongs among the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of the modern era. A former WBO Heavyweight Champion, Parker lost his belt to Anthony Joshua in 2018 but refused to fade away. After tough losses to Joshua and Joe Joyce, he revived his career with a string of strong performances. His recent victories over Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder showcased his ability to adapt and rise against elite competition. At 33, Parker remains hungry, aiming to reclaim world title status as he prepares for a huge clash with Daniel Dubois.

• Professional Record: 35-3 (23 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder
• Titles: Former WBO Heavyweight Champion

9. Chris Byrd – USA

Chris Byrd is often overlooked but deserves his place among the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of the 21st century. Byrd shocked the world in 2000 when he handed Vitali Klitschko his first professional defeat, stepping in on short notice. He later defeated Evander Holyfield to capture the IBF Heavyweight crown, which he defended multiple times. While not a knockout artist, Byrd’s slick defensive style and ability to frustrate bigger, stronger fighters made him one of the most technical champions of his era.

• Professional Record: 41-5-1 (22 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Vitali Klitschko, Evander Holyfield
• Titles: WBO & IBF Heavyweight Champion

8.Daniel Dubois – UK

Daniel Dubois has risen quickly to force his way into the conversation of the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of this century. Known as “Dynamite” for his devastating knockout power, Dubois has matured from a raw prospect into a world-class contender. His knockout win over Anthony Joshua at Wembley in front of nearly 100,000 fans was the defining moment of his career so far. Now holding the IBF Heavyweight title, Dubois’ aggression, resilience, and growing experience make him one of the most dangerous men in the division today.

• Professional Record: 22-2 (21 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Anthony Joshua, Filip Hrgović
• Titles: IBF Heavyweight Champion

7.Anthony Joshua – UK

Anthony Joshua’s combination of power, charisma, and resilience has ensured his place among the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of the 21st century. Joshua began his professional journey with 20 straight knockout wins and captured multiple heavyweight titles in the process. His dramatic victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2017 at Wembley remains one of boxing’s iconic nights. Though he has since suffered defeats to Andy Ruiz Jr., Oleksandr Usyk, and Daniel Dubois, Joshua’s achievements — including becoming a two-time world champion — solidify his legacy in heavyweight history.

• Professional Record: 28-4 (25 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Wladimir Klitschko, Andy Ruiz Jr. (rematch)
• Titles: Two-time Unified Heavyweight Champion

6.Lennox Lewis – UK

Even though Lennox Lewis peaked in the 1990s, his final years in the ring still position him among the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of this century. Lewis entered 2000 as unified champion and quickly defended his belts before suffering a shock defeat to Hasim Rahman in 2001. He avenged that loss with a brutal knockout later the same year and followed up with a dominant win over Mike Tyson in 2002. His final fight, a bloody stoppage of Vitali Klitschko in 2003, capped his career as one of the last undisputed kings of the heavyweight division.

• Professional Record: 41-2-1 (32 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Mike Tyson, Hasim Rahman (rematch)
• Titles: Last Undisputed Heavyweight Champion

5.Deontay Wilder – USA

Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder is widely regarded as one of the hardest punchers among the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of the modern era. With 42 knockouts in 43 wins, his power was unmatched. Wilder held the WBC Heavyweight crown for over five years, defending it 10 times. His knockout victories over Luis Ortiz highlighted his dangerous ability to end fights instantly. Although his trilogy with Tyson Fury exposed flaws in his game, Wilder’s explosive style and knockout artistry guarantee his legacy as one of the 21st century’s most feared fighters.

• Professional Record: 43-4-1 (42 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Luis Ortiz (twice), Bermane Stiverne
• Titles: Former WBC Heavyweight Champion

4.Vitali Klitschko – Ukraine

Vitali Klitschko’s dominance and resilience make him an automatic pick for the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of this century. Known for his granite chin and knockout power, Vitali was nearly impossible to beat in his prime. His only career losses came by injury against Chris Byrd and cuts against Lennox Lewis, while he was leading on the scorecards. A long-reigning WBC Champion, Vitali returned from a four-year break to reclaim his belt and defended it with ease until retirement. His reign symbolized consistency and toughness, even if he never unified titles alongside his brother Wladimir.

• Professional Record: 45-2 (41 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Corrie Sanders, Samuel Peter
• Titles: Two-time WBC Heavyweight Champion

3.Tyson Fury – UK

Tyson Fury’s journey ensures his place among the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of the modern era. Fury shocked the world in 2015 by outclassing Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, but personal struggles forced him out of the ring. His comeback and subsequent trilogy against Deontay Wilder — including two emphatic wins — cemented his status. Known for his size, movement, and charisma, Fury was the WBC Champion until his recent back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk. Despite those defeats, Fury’s achievements and remarkable comeback story guarantee his legacy as one of the most iconic heavyweights of the century.

• Professional Record: 34-2-1 (24 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Wladimir Klitschko, Deontay Wilder
• Titles: Two-time Heavyweight Champion

2.Oleksandr Usyk – Ukraine

Oleksandr Usyk, though relatively new to the division, has quickly established himself among the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of all time. After conquering the cruiserweight division as undisputed champion, Usyk moved up and stunned the world by defeating Anthony Joshua twice. His technical mastery, unmatched footwork, and adaptability were further showcased in victories over Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. Despite having only a handful of fights in the division, Usyk’s skill and dominance rank him among the elite heavyweights of the 21st century.

• Professional Record: 23-0 (14 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Anthony Joshua (twice), Tyson Fury
• Titles: Undisputed Heavyweight Champion

1.Wladimir Klitschko – Ukraine

Wladimir Klitschko stands atop the list of the Greatest Boxing Heavyweights of the 21st century. From 2004 to 2015, he dominated the division with 22 consecutive victories, unifying multiple world titles in the process. Known for his powerful jab, composure, and knockout ability, Wladimir defined an era of heavyweight boxing. While he lost late in his career to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, his long reign, 64 career wins, and 53 knockouts speak for themselves. Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2021, Klitschko remains a benchmark for greatness in the modern era.

• Professional Record: 64-5 (53 KOs)
• Highlight Wins: Chris Byrd, David Haye, Alexander Povetkin
• Titles: Long-reigning Unified Heavyweight Champion

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