# Who is the greatest heavyweight boxing champion of all time?

> Spanning over a century of the sport, from golden-age titans to modern undisputed champions, this lineup includes undefeated legends, comeback kings, and record-breaking title holders. Who holds the ultimate crown?

*By YPB Team · Published April 12, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-greatest-heavyweight-boxing-champion-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Muhammad Ali**
   American heavyweight legend of the 1960s–70s, three-time lineal world heavyweight champion known for defeating Frazier, Liston, and Foreman in the iconic Rumble in the Jungle.
2. **Joe Louis**
   American heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949, The Brown Bomber made 25 title defenses — the most of any heavyweight champion — and owned the division for over a decade.
3. **Rocky Marciano**
   American heavyweight champion of the early 1950s, the only heavyweight to retire undefeated with a perfect 49–0 record.
4. **Jack Dempsey**
   American heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926, The Manassa Mauler was one of the defining sports stars of the Roaring Twenties with devastating punching power.
5. **George Foreman**
   American two-time heavyweight champion who lost to Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle then staged an epic comeback to knock out Michael Moorer at age 45 in 1994.
6. **Lennox Lewis**
   British-Canadian heavyweight champion of the 1990s–2000s and the last undisputed heavyweight champion of the modern era, defeating Holyfield and Tyson before retiring unbeaten.
7. **Mike Tyson**
   American heavyweight champion of the late 1980s, Iron Mike became the youngest world heavyweight champion at 20 and was the most feared puncher in the sport at his peak.
8. **Larry Holmes**
   American heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1985, The Easton Assassin made 20 consecutive title defenses and possessed one of the greatest jabs in boxing history.
9. **Joe Frazier**
   American heavyweight champion and 1964 Olympic gold medalist, Smokin Joe was the first man to defeat Muhammad Ali, remembered for their legendary three-fight rivalry including the Thrilla in Manila.
10. **Sonny Liston**
   American heavyweight champion of the early 1960s who dominated the division with ferocious knockouts, considered one of the most physically imposing champions ever.
11. **Wladimir Klitschko**
   Ukrainian heavyweight champion who holds the record for the longest cumulative heavyweight title reign, defeating 23 world championship challengers over a decade-plus dominance.
12. **Evander Holyfield**
   American four-time heavyweight champion known for incredible heart, most famous for defeating Mike Tyson in 1996 and battling Riddick Bowe in a classic trilogy.
13. **Jack Johnson**
   American heavyweight champion from 1908 to 1915 and the first Black world heavyweight champion, who defied enormous social hostility to claim the title.
14. **Tyson Fury**
   British heavyweight champion known as The Gypsy King, who defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and became a two-time WBC heavyweight champion after a dramatic personal comeback.
15. **Oleksandr Usyk**
   Ukrainian heavyweight champion who became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis, defeating Anthony Joshua twice to unify all major titles.
16. **Ezzard Charles**
   American heavyweight champion from 1949 to 1951, known as The Cincinnati Cobra, widely considered one of the most underrated greats in boxing history.
17. **Floyd Patterson**
   American heavyweight champion who became the youngest world heavyweight champion at 21 in 1956 and was the first heavyweight to regain the title.

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