10 Greatest Heavyweight Boxers of All Time Ranked by Fans

The heavyweight division has always been the jewel of boxing — the stage where legends are made, rivalries become iconic, and history is written with thunderous punches. The Greatest Heavyweight Boxers aren’t just champions; they are larger-than-life figures who defined eras and inspired generations.

Based on fan votes, here are the Top 10 Greatest Heavyweight Boxers of All Time, ranked

10. Sonny Liston

Few fighters in history carried an aura of intimidation quite like Sonny Liston. Known for his stone-cold demeanor and thunderous knockout power, Liston was one of the most feared champions of the 1960s. Before his famous clashes with Muhammad Ali, he was regarded as nearly unbeatable, dominating the heavyweight landscape with a terrifying combination of brute force and resilience. Though not the slickest technician, Liston embodied the raw power and toughness that fans often associate with the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers. His reign may have been cut short, but his legacy as a KO machine remains etched in boxing history.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	No Contests
54	50	39	4	–	–

9. Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson was more than just a champion — he was a pioneer. In 1908, Johnson became the first African American to win the heavyweight crown, forever changing the sport and opening the doors for future legends. Unlike many fighters of his era who relied solely on brawling, Johnson was a defensive master who used slick footwork and counterpunching to frustrate opponents. He often toyed with rivals, forcing them into mistakes before punishing them. His courage outside the ring, during a time of extreme racial prejudice, elevated his impact far beyond boxing. Among the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers, Johnson stands as both a trailblazer and a defensive genius whose influence still echoes through the sport.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	Newspaper/NC
94	54	34	11	8	21

8. Larry Holmes

Often called underrated, Larry Holmes is now recognized as one of the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers thanks to his remarkable consistency and longevity. Nicknamed “The Easton Assassin”, Holmes built his reign on perhaps the best jab the heavyweight division has ever seen. From the late 1970s through the 1980s, he was the standard of excellence, defending his title 20 times. Holmes also owns the distinction of being the only man to stop Muhammad Ali, a testament to his skills and dominance. While others relied on raw power, Holmes showcased a technical mastery and defensive craft that allowed him to remain competitive well into his 50s. His legacy is that of a true craftsman in a division often dominated by brute strength.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	No Contests
75	69	44	6	–	–

7. Evander Holyfield

No list of the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers is complete without Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield. After conquering the cruiserweight division, Holyfield made a seamless transition to heavyweight, where he became the only fighter in history to win the championship four times. Known for his resilience, heart, and willingness to engage in wars, Holyfield earned iconic victories over Mike Tyson, George Foreman, and Larry Holmes. Despite often being undersized in the division, his combination of grit, tactical intelligence, and ferocity made him one of the toughest competitors ever. Holyfield’s legacy is not just in his titles but in his unforgettable fights, which defined the drama of heavyweight boxing in the 1990s.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	No Contests
57	44	29	10	2	1

6. Lennox Lewis

Standing tall at 6’5” with a reach to match, Lennox Lewis brought a new blueprint to heavyweight dominance. Intelligent, disciplined, and technically sound, Lewis was a master of using his jab and distance to control fights. Known as a “pugilist specialist”, he beat every fighter he ever faced, avenging his two losses in emphatic fashion. With wins over Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, and Vitali Klitschko, Lewis cemented his place among the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers. He is also remembered as the last undisputed heavyweight champion, unifying the division before retiring on top. His reign set the standard for the modern era of big men who fight with both size and skill.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	No Contests
44	41	32	2	1	–

5. Joe Frazier

“Smokin’ Joe” Frazier epitomized grit, determination, and relentless aggression. Known for his bob-and-weave style and devastating left hook, Frazier became the undisputed heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist. His rivalry with Muhammad Ali, especially the historic “Fight of the Century” in 1971, defined an era. That night, Frazier handed Ali his first professional loss with a brutal left hook that has gone down in history. Despite being undersized compared to some of his rivals, his pressure and durability made him one of the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers. His heart and warrior spirit ensured that every fight he was in became a battle remembered by fans for generations.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	No Contests
37	32	27	4	1	–

4. Mike Tyson

Perhaps the most electrifying fighter of all time, Mike Tyson brought fear back into the heavyweight division. At just 20 years old, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion ever, unleashing a ferocious style built on explosive speed, savage power, and an aura of intimidation. Known as “Iron Mike”, his dominance in the late 1980s revitalized boxing and made him a global phenomenon. Even today, his name remains synonymous with knockout power. Despite his career ups and downs, Tyson’s prime was one of the most destructive reigns ever witnessed, making him one of the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers in history.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	No Contests
59	50	44	7	2	–

3. Joe Louis

Nicknamed “The Brown Bomber”, Joe Louis dominated the heavyweight division like no other. With a reign lasting nearly 12 years, he holds the record for the longest championship tenure and defended his title 25 consecutive times. Louis combined picture-perfect fundamentals with thunderous punching power, making him one of the most complete heavyweights in history. More than just a champion, Louis became a national hero, uniting Americans during difficult times in the 1930s and 40s. His dominance, consistency, and cultural significance place him firmly among the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers of all time.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	No Contests
69	66	52	3	–	–

2. George Foreman

George Foreman was pure power personified. Known for his destructive punching ability, Foreman bulldozed through the heavyweight division in the 1970s, famously knocking out Joe Frazier in two rounds to win the title. Though he lost to Muhammad Ali in the “Rumble in the Jungle”, Foreman’s story didn’t end there. After a decade-long retirement, he made a miraculous comeback and reclaimed the heavyweight crown at 45 years old, becoming the oldest champion in history. His combination of raw power, resilience, and longevity cements his place as one of the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers the sport has ever seen.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	No Contests
81	76	68	5	–	–

1. Muhammad Ali

When people think of the Greatest Heavyweight Boxers, one name towers above the rest: Muhammad Ali. Known as “The Greatest”, Ali wasn’t just a champion inside the ring; he was a cultural icon who changed boxing forever. Ali became the first three-time heavyweight champion, defeating legends like Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman in some of the most memorable fights ever staged. His speed, footwork, and charisma revolutionized the heavyweight style, proving that heavyweights could be as graceful as they were powerful. Beyond boxing, Ali stood as a symbol of courage, activism, and defiance, making him one of the most influential athletes in history.

Total Fights	Wins	Wins by KO	Losses	Draws	No Contests
61	56	37	5	–	–

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