Should Tyson Fury Be Considered One of The Top Ten HWs of All-Time?

Fury has been a legit heavyweight since he turned professional in 2008. Fury first became heavyweight champion in 2015 when he defeated the then-king of the heavyweight division, Wladimir Klitschko . In 2016, Fury vacated these titles and took a sabbatical from boxing to focus on his physical and mental health. In 2020, four years after vacating his title, Fury again became a champion when he defeated Deontay Wilder for the WBC world heavyweight title. Since then, he has defended that title thrice and now looks to etch his name in the history books by becoming the first undisputed world champion in over two decades.

If Fury defeats Usyk on May 18, where does he rank on my list of the greatest heavyweights ever? My editor, Abraham Gonzalez, asked me this question some time ago. After much thought, research, and analysis, there will be a concentrated effort to answer that question.

Boxing has multiple lists for multiple categories. There is a best pound-for-pound list, lists of who people think is the hardest puncher of all time, and many more. But nothing gets more passionate conversations going than the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All-Time) lists. The acronym is widely used when describing the greatest athlete in any sport since Muhammad Ali self-proclaimed himself “The Greatest” after he upset Sonny Liston in 1964.

There are dozens of categories to compare fighters to one another. However, the focus will be on what is arguably the three most important categories when assessing a boxer’s greatness: Fury’s achievements, the quality of the opposition he faced, and the era in which he competed. After much research, it was discovered that the lists of all-time greatest heavyweights are different. While these lists are primarily subjective, most lists have three names in common that occupy a place within the top five. They were Ali, Joe Louis, and Rocky Marciano. Apart from that, these lists were vastly different.

For Fury to enter the top ten heavyweight lists, one of those legendary fighters must go. But who should be removed to make room for Fury? Herein lies my dilemma. Here are a lists of great heavyweights and when comparing them to Fury’s accomplishments, has he done enough to replace one of them?

Top Ten Greatest Heavyweights of All-Time

10. Mike Tyson, Brooklyn, NY (50-6, 2NC, 44 KOs)

“Iron” Mike Tyson was the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history, a record that still stands today. When he first burst on the scene, he was a juggernaut of speed, power, and explosiveness, unlike anything the heavyweight division had ever seen. He won his first nineteen fights by knockout, with twelve coming in the first round. Tyson’s knockout streak added a psychological advantage to Tyson, as most opponents lost the fight mentally before stepping into the ring with him. Simply put, Tyson was feared. He is a two-time unified heavyweight champion. Tyson reigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 until 1990. Iron Mike is the youngest heavyweight to unify the WBC, WBA, and IBF world titles and made ten title defenses. Tyson won the world’s lineal heavyweight championship when he defeated Michael Spinks in 1988. He did all this, standing 5’11” tall and only weighing 218 lbs., which is a relatively small heavyweight for his era. Mike Tyson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.

9. Joe Frazier: Philadelphia, PA (32-4-1, 27 KOs)

 Joe Frazier’s bob-and-weave pressure style of fighting, accompanied by arguably the greatest left hook in boxing history, was a force to be reckoned with. “Smokin” Joe Frazier creamed his first twenty-five opponents, knocking out all but two. He won the WBA and WBC titles in 1970 when he defeated Jimmy Ellis. He defended those titles four times and won the lineal heavyweight title when he defeated Ali in arguably one of the greatest fights in boxing history. Although Frazier never recaptured the heavyweight world title after losing it to George Foreman, Frazier fought in what is considered the most significant era of heavyweight boxing, with wins over George Chuvalo. Jimmy Ellis, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Jerry Quarry, and Bob Foster. He handed Ali his first loss as a professional. He went on to have two brutal battles with Ali, creating one of the greatest boxing trilogies and the most volatile rivalry in the sport. Frazier was inducted into the IBHOF in 1990.

8. Larry Holmes, Easton, PA (69-6, 44 KOs)

The man known as “The Easton Assassin” owns arguably the greatest jabs of any heavyweight in history. Holmes was undefeated in his first forty-eight fights as a professional. He won the heavyweight world title in 1978 in a brutal war against Ken Norton. Larry defended that title seventeen times and held it for seven years. He won the lineal world title against Ali in 1980. His resume is impressive, and he has won over Ali, Norton, Ernie Shavers, Mike Weaver, Trevor Berbick, Leon Spinks, Gerry Cooney, and Time Witherspoon, with losses to Mike Tyson, Michael Spinks, and Evader Holyfield. Larry Holmes was inducted into the IBHOF in 2008.

7. Floyd Patterson, Brooklyn, NY (55-8-1, 40 KOs)

Sadly, Floyd Patterson is mainly remembered for his devastating losses to Liston. Add his gentle personality, and it’s easy to overlook Patterson as one of the greatest heavyweight champions. However, Patterson was all about winning championships and setting records, so he makes the list. Trained by the legendary Cus D’Amato, Patterson made the best of his 5’10”, 180 lbs. stature. He was the first to be the youngest champion in boxing history, a record that stood for nearly twenty years after Wilfred Benitez won a world title at the age of 17. Therefore, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of boxing, a record he had owned for thirty years. For sixty-eight years, once a heavyweight lost the world title, they never regained it. Floyd was the first heavyweight to recapture the world title. His opponents include Archie Moorer, Henry Cooper, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Jimmy Ellis, Ali, and Liston. Patterson is an Olympic gold medalist, a two-time world champion, the youngest champion in boxing history, and a lineal champion, and he was inducted into the IBHOF class of 1991.

6. Rocky Marciano, Brockton, MA (49-0, 43 KOs)

Rocky Marciano was the kind of fighter that seemed unreal. First, he was barely a heavyweight. Marciano was only 5’10’ and 185 lbs. He didn’t start boxing until he was twenty-three years old. So, to say he was well behind his opposition in experience is an understatement. He was drafted and served during World War II. Marciano turned professional after only 12 fights, won the heavyweight world title, and retired with an undefeated record. He achieved all this by knocking out all but six of the forty-nine opponents he faced. Thankfully, we have footage of his fights, or it would be too hard to believe such a fighter truly existed. His opponents include Joe Louis, Ezzard Charles, Roland La Starza, and Archie Moore. Marciano was a lineal champion and the only heavyweight to retire undefeated. Marciano was inducted into the IBHOF in 1990.

5. George Foreman, Marshall, Texas (76-5, 68 KOs)

Regarded as one of the hardest punchers and most feared boxers in history, “Big” George Foreman was undefeated in his first forty fights as a professional and knocked out thirty-eight of those opponents. He won the world’s heavyweight championship against Frazier. He defended that title three times before losing it to Ali in the famous fight dubbed the “Rumble in The Jungle.” Foreman retired from boxing after his loss to Jimmy Young in 1977. After nearly ten years away from the sport, Foreman returned to boxing at 38. In 1994, Foreman, now 45, beat Michael Moorer to win the world heavyweight title for the second time and became the oldest boxer ever to do so, a record which still stands today. Foreman has an outstanding resume, having fought Ali, Frazier, Norton, Ron Lyle, George Chuvalo, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Evander Holyfield, and Moorer. Foreman is an Olympic Gold Medalist, a former two-time world and lineal champion, and was inducted into the IBHOF in 2003.

4. Evander Holyfield, Atmore, Alabama (44-10-2, 29 KOs)

Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield is arguably one of boxing’s greatest warriors. There isn’t much to say about Holyfield other than he was in the business of delivering pain inside the ring. There was no such thing as an easy fight against Holyfield and the opponents that did beat him left that match bruised and battered. He was an Olympic gold medalist, an undisputed champion in two divisions, and the first boxer to win the heavyweight title four times, breaking none other than Ali’s record. He fought the best boxers of his time, including Foreman, Ray Mercer, Riddick Bowe, Moorer, Larry Holmes, Tyson, and Lennox Lewis. He was inducted into the IBHOF in 2017.

3. Lennox Lewis, London, England (41-2-1, 32 KOs)

Lennox Lewis is a big heavyweight who measured 6′ 5″ and averaged 230 lbs. However, despite his enormous stature, Lewis boxed like a lightweight. He was an exceptional boxer, moved well on his feet, had a battering ram for a jab, and knocked out thirty-two opponents. Lewis was a genuinely gifted fighter. Lewis was an Olympic gold medalist, a three-time world champion, and the first British heavyweight to hold the undisputed heavyweight title since Bob Fitzsimmons in 1899. Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He has an impressive resume, having battled against Tyson, Holyfield, David Tua, Hasim Rahman, Vitali Klitschko, Shannon Briggs, Mercer, Tommy Morrison, Razor Ruddock, Tony Tucker, and Oliver McCall. Lennox Lewis was inducted into IBHOF in 2009.

2. Joe Louis, Lafayette, Alabama (66-3, 52 KOs)

Known as the Brown Bomber, Joe Louis was the first black heavyweight champion of the world since Jack Johnsonwhen he knocked out James Braddock in 1937. He held the title for eleven years and made a record-setting twenty-five successful title defenses. Louis served in World War II and was one of the most recognized athletes in the world during the 1940s. He won his first twenty-seven fights, winning twenty-three by knockout. His first loss was against Max Schmeling, a loss Louis later avenged. He was technically sound and could crack with either hand, epitomizing the boxer-puncher style of boxing. His resume is exceptional, having fought Primo Carnera, Max Baer, Max Schmeling, Billy Conn, Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, and Rocky Marciano. Joe Louis was inducted into the IBHOF in 1990.

1. Muhammad Ali, Louisville, Kentucky (56-5, 37 KOs)

Who did you think was going to be number one? This was a no-brainer. The word greatest has been attached to Muhammad Ali since he self-proclaimed himself “The Greatest” sixty years ago. What hasn’t Ali done in boxing? He was an Olympic Gold Medalist. Ali was the first fighter to win the heavyweight world title three times, was an undisputed heavyweight champion, and a lineal champion. He was part of some of the most iconic fights in boxing history. Ali was the first man to beat the feared Liston. During his rematch against Liston, he became almost a mythical figure when he landed a right hand that destroyed Liston in the first round. The punch was said to be so fast that no one saw it when it landed. It became known as the “phantom punch,” shrouded with controversy, a sense of mysticism, and admirability.

His first fight against Frazier, “The Fight of the Century,” is considered one of the greatest fights in boxing history. His third fight against Frazier was known as the “Thrilla in Manila” and was one of boxing’s most brutal matches. He upset Foremen in “The Rumble in The Jungle,” a fight most people thought he would lose. He fought most of the great heavyweights in the 1960’s and 70’s. His resume is beyond exceptional; he fought Liston, Floyd Patterson, Henry Cooper, Archie Moorer, Foreman, Holmes, Frazier, Norton, Ernie Shavers, and Ron Lyle. He was and still is one of the most recognizable public figures in the world. Ali was inducted into IBHOF in 1990.

Comparing Tyson Fury to The Heavyweight Greats

Now, let’s compare Fury’s accomplishments to see how they stack against the greatest heavyweights ever. Fury has held the WBC heavyweight title since 2020. Previously, he held the unified heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016 after beating Wladimir Klitschko, regarded by some as one of the greatest heavyweights ever. In 2015, Tyson Fury was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring Magazine. The “Gypsy King” became the third heavyweight, after Patterson and Ali, to hold The Ring Magazine title twice and is currently recognized as the lineal world heavyweight champion. And add the undisputed champion to his accolades if he beats Usyk this Saturday. Is this enough to take away the seat of any of the champions mentioned above?

Has Tyson Fury Accomplished Enough To Be Considered One of The G.O.A.Ts?

While I believe Fury is an excellent boxer and will undoubtedly stamp his ticket into the IBHOF if he becomes the first undisputed heavyweight in the world since Lennox Lewis, he still won’t make the top ten of my lists of the greatest heavyweights of all time. It comes down to the level of opposition he has faced. The heavyweight division has been weak since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003. The quality of talented heavyweights isn’t there like in other divisions. Of course, it is no fault of Fury; he fought who was available to fight. However, that doesn’t erase years of history. Fury’s resume must measure up; I’m sorry, it doesn’t.

The best name on his resume is Klitschko, and even then, one can argue that Fury didn’t fight the best version of Klitschko. The rest of the heavyweights he fought are mediocre heavyweights who probably wouldn’t have cracked boxing’s top ten rankings from the 1960s through the 1990s, let alone win a world title, including Wilder.

A fight against fellow Brit Anthony Joshua never happened when Joshua held three of the four world heavyweight titles. Had he fought Joshua and won, that would’ve raised his stock some. It’s still possible for Fury to sneak into this list. If he beats Usyk and successfully defends the titles a few times, he could make his way onto the list. But for now, the “Gypsy” King has some work to do.