Boxing became an important sport in the mid to late 20th century. The boxers faced life-and-death experiences in the ring to entertain their fans. Many boxers registered their name as great boxers as we recently talked about the top boxers of 2023. But, who will be the 5 best heavyweight boxers of all time? The list contains boxers with good records and a legacy to talk about. Let’s dive into the 5 best heavyweight boxers of all time.
5. Joe Louis
Joe Louis was an American professional boxer. In his 17-year career, Joe fought in 69 fights. His overall record is 66-3, 52KO, which tells why he is one of the greatest boxers in the world. Joe Louis won three major titles in the light-heavyweight category.
Louis won three gold medals in Chicago in 1934, which included Golden Glove, Chicago Golden Glove, and the US National Championship. Joe Louis had 25 consecutive title defenses.
It was a record for all weight classes in boxing. Joe Louis was the first African-American to become a nationwide hero of America. Joe Louis died in April 1981 at the age of 75. Louis will be remembered as 5 best heavyweight boxers of all time.
4. George Foreman
George Foreman is an American Professional boxer who won the world heavyweight championship twice. At 45, he became the oldest boxer to regain the title. George was a gold medallist in the 1968 Mexico Olympics. He was named “Big George” in his boxing era from 1967 to 1997.
Forman’s outstanding fight against Muhammad Ali, ‘Rumble in the Jungle, ‘ is evident from his presence among the 5 best heavyweight boxers of all time. His professional boxing record was 76-5, 68KO. In 1997, George Foreman retired from professional boxing at 48.
3. Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson is an American Professional Boxer. Mike is regarded as the all-time greatest boxer. He has a professional boxing career of 20 years. His record in his 20 years of career is 50-6-2, 44KO. Tyson won many boxing titles in the heavyweight category.
He won the gold medal in North Carolina in 1982, Tennessee in 1983, and New York in 1984. Mike Tyson is known as “Iron Mike”, “Kid Dynamite”, and “the Baddest Man on the Planet” due to his monster approach to his opposition.
In 1990, Mike Tyson was knocked out by underdog Buster Douglas. It was considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing. Mike Tyson retired from professional boxing in June 2005 at the age of 38. So, he is our #3 in 5 best heavyweight boxers of all time.
2. Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano was an American Professional Boxer who competed from 1947 to 1955. His career record is 49-0,43KO. Rocky was the only heavyweight boxer to complete his career undefeated. Marcino was the champion of the heavyweight from 1952 to 1955.
Rocky Marciano took retirement from professional boxing in 1955. The world lost Rocky in a Plane crash in 1969 but not before he made a name among 5 best heavyweight boxers of all time. Rocky is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time due to his incredible achievements in a short time.
1. Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was the most excellent sports personality in the 20th century. Muhammad was an American-born professional boxer with an excellent record of 56-5, 37KO. He was named Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated and BBC.
The greatest, The People Champions, and The Louisville Lip was the title name of Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali won 9 boxing gold medals. Muhammad Ali has an exceptional record that makes him the greatest boxer of the 20th century. He has an 80% KO ratio, which shows his dominance in the 1960s.
Muhammad Ali won 8 heavyweight titles in his boxing career which is enough to take him to 5 best heavyweight boxers of all time. Muhammad Ali spent 3443 consecutive days as heavyweight champion, the third longest in terms of days. Ali announced retirement after playing his last match in 1981 at the age of 39 years. Greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali died on June 03, 2016, at the age of 74 years.