Joshua names greatest boxing heavyweights ever

From Muhammad Ali to Mike Tyson and many others from the bygone age and the modern era, there’s no doubt that the heavyweight division is the most exciting in boxing.

Seeing two sports stars going toe-to-toe can often lead to some of the most epic action that the sweet science has to offer, not to mention some of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet, including the first two names in our rundown below.

So, who are the best heavyweight boxers in the world as of 2024?

Tyson Fury

Fury first captured a world championship belt as long ago as 2016, traveling to Wladimir Klitschko’s adopted fighting home of Germany and ripping the four recognized belts from the Ukrainian player’s waist in a devastating performance.

As the Gypsy King battled personal demons, he was forced by boxing authorities to forfeit his gold. Still, by 2020, he was back in the ring and defeating Deontay Wilder for the WBC belt – meaning that Fury had held every heavyweight title at some point in his career.

Tyson Fury really sang ‘American Pie’ after beating Deontay Wilder #WilderFury2

— ESPN (@espn) February 23, 2020

He’ll get a chance to become the undisputed champion for real later this month when he tackles Oleksandr Usyk for all of the division’s gold.

While exploring the achievements and legacies of the best heavyweight boxers on the planet in 2024, it’s fascinating to also delve into the financial victories that have crowned some as the richest boxers in the world, showcasing the lucrative nature of professional boxing.

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Oleksandr Usyk

The Ukrainian has already been an undisputed champion in the cruiserweight division, but his skills have also given him a chance to dominate the heavyweight category in February against Fury.

Usyk gives away height, reach, and weight advantage to his opponent every time he sets foot in the ring as a heavyweight, but he is blessed with such awesome technique, ringcraft, and mental resilience that size appears to be of little concern to the 37-year-old.

He is undoubtedly one of the best pound-for-pound boxers on the planet, let alone in the heavyweight ranks.

Anthony Joshua

The best betting apps rank Anthony Joshua as a -450 favorite to defeat MMA star turned boxer Francis Ngannou on March 8 – Ngannou, you may recall, knocked down Fury in his debut boxing about and was considered unlucky by some not to get the points decision at the end of the contest.

These apps allow bettors to access the latest odds and bonuses from any of their devices and provide comprehensive boxing betting coverage.

There are markets for fight winners but also methods of victory, total rounds, and individual round betting, with Joshua a sportsbook favorite to defeat Ngannou by KO or TKO.

Patiently waiting for the first bell to ring pic.twitter.com/CXyYLLWqps

— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) January 17, 2024

If he does, it will confirm the Brit as one of the best heavyweights on the planet.

The realm of heavyweight boxing is not just about the physical prowess displayed in the ring; it’s also about the monumental boxing records that may never be broken, a testament to the extraordinary feats achieved by legends of the sport.

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Zhilei Zhang

It would be fair to describe Zhilei Zhang’s boxing career as ‘unusual’.

Two things go against him: he’s not a big box office draw outside of his native China, and he possesses a ramrod jab from his southpaw stance plus a huge right hook.

Those are just two reasons why he’s been routinely avoided by the rest of the heavyweight division – and why he’s secured 21 victories by way of knockout in his 28 outings so far.

Zhang has done what you must do when being avoided in boxing: put together a winning streak that earns a mandatory position for a world title bout.

The 40-year-old will surely get his long-awaited championship fight against the winner of Fury vs Usyk later this year.

When you look at it, 2024 should be an outstanding year for heavyweight boxing!

As we analyze the skills, victories, and the sheer dominance of the fighters in our list of the best heavyweight boxers on the planet in 2024, it becomes imperative to compare them with the best boxers of all time, understanding how the standards of excellence have evolved in the boxing world.