By Alejandro “A-TRAIN” Burgos
Happy Independence Day—at least to all the Yankee’s out there. To celebrate the United States’ independence, RBR Boxing decided to compile a list of the 10 greatest Heavyweights the country has even seen.
Each man on this list is being judged not only for his overall body of work—including titles won—but also for how good he was in his prime.
For example, although Larry Holmes defeated Muhammad Ali at the end of Ali’s career, one can logically assume that the fight would have been tougher to call if both men were in their prime.
Read on for RBR Boxing’s list of the top 10 American Heavyweights of all time.
Unless otherwise noted, all statistics courtesy of BoxRec.com.
[tps_header]Honorable Mention
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Earnie Shavers
Nicknamed “The Black Destroyer”, Earnie Shavers (74-14-1, 68 KOs) started his career by knocking out 44 of 47 opponents. He was undoubtedly one of the hardest hitters the Heavyweight division has ever seen.
According to the UK Star, after 15 hard-fought rounds with Muhammad Ali, Ali famously said, “Earnie hit me so hard, he shook my kinfolk back in Africa!”
One of the most impressive victories of Shavers’ career was against Ken Norton by first-round knockout in 1979.
Ken Norton
Ken Norton was tough-as-nails. A Heavyweight who is well known for his trilogy with Muhammad Ali, Norton broke Ali’s jaw in their first bout (per Wikipedia) and handed “The Greatest of All Time” only the second loss of his career.
Norton compiled a record of 42-7-1, 33 KOs.
Floyd Patterson
Known as the “Gentleman of Boxing”, Floyd Patterson amassed a record of 55-8-1 record with 40 wins coming by knockout.
Patterson was an Olympic gold medalist in 1952 and was the first medalist to win the Heavyweight championship (per Wikipedia).
Sonny Liston
One of the most intimidating Heavyweights of all time, “The Bear”, Sonny Liston finished his career with a record of 50-4, 39 KOs.
Liston won the Heavyweight title by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round in 1962.
Liston is rated as the No. 15 hardest puncher in boxing history by Ring Magazine.
[tps_header]10. Mike Tyson[/tps_header]
In his prime, the Brooklyn born, “Iron” Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) was known as the baddest man on the planet.
He is one of the hardest punchers in the history of the sport, having eradicated his first 19 opponents by knockout, 12 of those in the first round (per Wikipedia).
Tyson is the only Heavyweight in history to unify the WBA, WBC, IBF and lineal titles.
Tyson struck fear in the hearts of many opponents before even landing a punch. One of his most notable victories came against Michael Spinks for the lineal title, which he won in 91 seconds.
[tps_header]9. Rocky Marciano[/tps_header]
The Brockton Blockbuster, Rocky Marciano (49-0, 43 KOs) won his first sixteen career bouts by knockout.
Some of the Brockton, Massachusetts fighters most notable victories came over aging ex-champions including Joe Louis who was 37 years old and Jersey Joe Walcott who was 38 years old.
Although he retired undefeated, Marciano is often times ranked behind legends like Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey and Muhammad Ali for not beating top-notch opponents in their prime.
Marciano was known for having a big punch and according to Boxing Illustrated, Marciano’s punch packed more energy than an armor-piercing bullet.
[tps_header]8. Jack Dempsey[/tps_header]
Known as the “Manassa Mauler”, Jack Dempsey (61-6-9, 50 KOs) was born in Manassa, Colorado and enjoyed two reigns as Heavyweight champion of the world.
Dempsey was known for his devastating punching power and for advancing the popularity of the sports. A cultural icon, Dempsey’s clash with George Carpentier generated the first million dollar gate in boxing history (per Wikipedia).
In one of his most infamous bouts, Dempsey defeated Jess Willard in three rounds, knocking him down seven times in the first round. The bout has been the subject of criticism because it was alleged that Dempsey had loaded gloves.
[tps_header]7. Evander Holyfield[/tps_header]
Evander Holyfield (44-10-2, 29 KOs) was born in Atmore, Alabama and won the Bronze medal in the 1984 Olympics.
He started his professional career as a Cruiserweight and eventually became the undisputed Heavyweight after knocking out James “Buster” Douglas in 1990. In his career, “The Real Deal” notched victories over Riddick Bowe, George Foreman and Mike Tyson.
More often than not, Holyfield took on stronger and larger men. He held his own with his own in the ring with an impressive blend of power and agility.
[tps_header]6. Larry Holmes[/tps_header]
Born in Cuthbert, GA, the Easton Assassin, Larry Holmes (69-6, 44 KOs) is best known for his trademark shotgun jab. According to Wikipedia, Holmes’ 20 title defenses are second only to Joe Louis’ 25.
Holmes said that he learned a lot as a young sparring partner for Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Earnie Shavers. He would go on to defeat Ali and Shavers in his career as well as Gerry Cooney and Tim Witherspoon.
Holmes was known for being outspoken, especially after some notable losses.
After losing his first career fight to Michael Spinks and falling one win short of matching Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record, Holmes famously said, “If you really want to get technical about the whole thing, Rocky (Marciano) couldn’t carry my jockstrap”.
[tps_header]5. Joe Frazier[/tps_header]
“Smokin’” Joe Frazier (32-4-1, 27 KOs) was born in Beaufort, South Carolina in 1944. Standing at 5’10”, Frazier did not possess the stature that many of his contemporaries did, but he packed just as big of a punch.
Frazier was an Olympic gold medalist in 1964 (per Wikipedia) and won the Heavyweight championship after defeating Muhammad Ali in 1971.
Frazier’s bob-and-weave style coupled with his relentless attack would have given any fighter fits. His trademark left hook was as powerful as any punch in the history of boxing.
Frazier is known for his classic trilogy with Ali. His only losses came at the hands of George Foreman and Ali.
[tps_header]4. George Foreman[/tps_header]
With an imposing 6’4” frame, George Foreman was one of the heaviest hitters of all time. Born in Marshall, Texas, he was an Olympic gold medalist in 1968 and won the Heavyweight championship in 1973 by knocking out the previously unbeaten Joe Frazier in two rounds (per Wikipedia).
Foreman faced stiff competition in his prime, squaring off against the likes of Ken Norton, Muhammad Ali and the aforementioned Frazier.
After a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman left the sport in his prime at the age of 28. He eventually returned 10 years later, determined as ever to regain the Heavyweight title.
In 1994 at the age of 45, Foreman defeated Michael Moorer by knockout in the tenth round. Down on all three cards at the time of the stoppage, Foreman not only shocked the boxing world with his upset win, but he also became the oldest man to the win the Heavyweight title.
Foreman retired for the second and final time in 1997 and finished his career with an impressive 84 percent knockout ratio.
[tps_header]3. Jack Johnson[/tps_header]
Born in Galveston, Texas, the “Galveston Giant” Jack Johnson (80-13-12, 45 KOs) was the first African-American Heavyweight champion (per Wikipedia).
Johnson was known for his patience in the ring as well as his blistering power. Johnson would taunt his opponents as he beat them up and even hold conversations with spectators during the match.
Johnson had to fight just as hard outside of the ring as he did in it because white fighters did not want to face him.
Johnson’s storied career included victories over Tommy Burns, Stanley Ketchel, and James J. Jeffries in what was called the “Fight of the Century”.
[tps_header]2. Muhammad Ali[/tps_header]
Widely considered the “Greatest of All Time”, Muhammad Ali talked the talked and walked the walked with the best of them.
Born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky, Ali won Olympic gold in 1960 (per Wikipedia).
Ali’s career included triumphant wins against Sonny Liston and George Foreman as well as one of the greatest boxing trilogies in the history of the sport versus Joe Frazier.
Ali was a cultural icon and took a strong stance against the Vietnam War, which led to him being denied a boxing license between the ages of 25 and 29.
[tps_header]1. Joe Louis[/tps_header]
Landing at No. 1 on our list is “The Brown Bomber”, Joe Louis (69-3, 57 KOs).
Louis was born in Lafayette, Alabama in 1914 and reigned as Heavyweight champion for 12 years and defended the title a record 25 times (per Wikipedia).
Louis enjoyed victories over Primo Carnera, Max Schmeling, Billy Con and “The Cinderella Man” James Braddock.
His trademark left hook is regarded as one of, if not the most powerful punches in the history of the sport. In fact, in 2003 Ring Magazine ranked Louis the number 1 greatest puncher of all time.
During a tumultuous time in American history, Louis fought through stereotypes and with his likeable demeanor gave people of all walks someone to root for. Louis was a patriot, a cultural icon and an all-around champion.
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