Top 10 heavyweights

1) Tyson Fury – 30-0-1 (21 KO’S) – Current WBC and ring magazine heavyweight world champion. Former WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight world champion. Defeated Wladimir Klitschko (longest reigning heavyweight champion, 12 years over two periods). Unbeaten and considered by many to be the “lineal” heavyweight champion. Two time heavyweight world champion.
Big wins – Dereck Chisora x2, Kevin Johnson, Steve Cunningham, Christian Hammer, Wladimir Klitschko, Otto Wallin, Deontay Wilder. One controversial draw to Deontay Wilder.

Many considered Fury to be the clear winner in his draw with Deontay Wilder. He’s the most skilled heavyweight of this era as he proved in both fights against Wilder and his fight with Wladimir Klitschko. Uses mind games to wear his opponents down before the fight. Lost his titles out of the ring due to two years inactivity, PED’s controversy and poor lifestyle. Fought more aggressively to stop Wilder in the rematch. Arguably a hall of famer and heavyweight great already.

2) Anthony Joshua – 23-1 (21 KO’s) – Current WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight world champion. Two time heavyweight champion. Avenged his only defeat.
Big wins – Dillian Whyte, Charles Martin, Dominic Breazeale, Eric Molina, Wladimir Klitschko, Carlos Takam, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin, Andy Ruiz Jr. One loss to Andy Ruiz Jr.

Not as big of a puncher as Wilder, not as skilled as Fury, but has a good combination of punching power and boxing skills. Would be the underdog in an undisputed match up with Tyson Fury. Next fight is an IBF mandatory defence against Kubrat Pulev.

3) Deontay Wilder - 42-1-1 (40 KO’s). Former WBC heavyweight world champion (reigning champion for over five years).
Big wins – Bermaine Stiverne x2, Erik Molina, Johann Duhaupas, Artur Szpilka, Chris Arreola, Gerald Washington, Luis Ortiz x2, Dominic Breazeale. One controversial draw with Tyson Fury. One TKO loss to Tyson Fury.

Not the most skilled boxer on the list, but by far the biggest puncher in the current division. Arguably the biggest puncher of all time. Put up a brave loosing effort against Tyson Fury. Relies on his big right hand too much which hindered him against Fury. Would still be a big favourite to beat any heavyweight outside of Fury and Joshua. Will most likely exercise his rematch close against Fury.

4) Andy Ruiz Jr – 33-2 (22 KO’s) – Former unified WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight world champion.
Big wins – Kevin Johnson, Alexander Dimitrenko, Anthony Joshua. One close decision loss to former IBF world champion, Joseph Parker. One wide points loss to current heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua.

With the exception of his huge TKO win Vs Anthony Joshua, Ruiz’s resume isn’t the strongest. Causing one of the biggest upsets of all time, and being a former unified champion earns him an automatic ranking outside the current top three heavyweights.
Known for his fast hands, big punch and aggressive style, Ruiz would be a handful for any heavyweight in the world. However he struggles with athletic boxers and can be outboxed by a skilled and disciplined boxer.

5) Alexander Povetkin – 35-2-1 (24 KO’S) – Former WBA “regular” heavyweight world champion. Two time WBO, WBA and IBF world title challenger.
Big wins – Larry Donald, Chris Byrd, Eddie Chambers, Ruslan Chagaev, Marco Huck, Hasim Rahman, Manuel Charr, Carlos Takam, Mike Perez, Mariusz Wach, Johann Duhaupas, Christian Hammer, David Price, Hughie Fury. One close draw with top contender Michael Hunter. One wide points loss to heavyweight great Wladimir Klitschko and a first TKO loss to Anthony Joshua.

With the exception of the top three on the list, Povetkin easily has the best resume of any active heavyweight. Although not a legitimate full world title, he is a former regular belt holder and a no brainier for the number five spot. An exciting heavyweight with excellent technical skills and crushing power, and although he appears slightly past his peak, he would be a handful for any current heavyweight. Next fight likely to be against Dillian Whyte.

6) Dillian Whyte – 27-1 (18KO’s) – Current WBC interim champion. Former British heavyweight champion.
Big wins – Dave Allen, Ian Lewison, Dereck Chisora x2, Robert Helenius, Lucas Browne, Joseph Parker, Oscar Rivas, Mariusz Wach. One loss to Anthony Joshua via TKO.

Whyte’s technical ability is improving with each fight and he is mentality one of the toughest heavyweights in the division. He is known for his verbally aggressive trash talking skills and being highly ranked in the WBC rankings without receiving a well deserved word title shot. His record is up there with the best at heavyweight. Next fight likely to be against Alexander Povetkin.

7) Joseph Parker – 26-2 (20 KO’S) – Former WBO heavyweight world champion.
Big wins – Carlos Takam, Alexander Dimitrenko, Andy Ruiz Jr, Hughie Fury. One wide and uneventful points loss to Anthony Joshua, one close and controversial points loss to Dillian Whyte.

Parker is a technically skilled and athletic boxer who doesn’t shy away from big fights. Many consider him hard done by in the Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte fights. Some also consider him lucky to be on the right said of the decision in close fights with Andy Ruiz Jr and Hughie Fury. Parker is angling for a much anticipated match up with the Chisora/Usyk winner. Next fight against Shawndell Terell Winters.

8) Michael Hunter – 18-1-1 (12 KO’S) – Former WBO Cruiserweight world title challenger turned heavyweight.
Big wins – Martin Bakole, Alexander Ustinov, Sergey Kuzmin. One close draw with Alexander Povetkin. One defeat to Undisputed Cruiserweight king turned heavyweight Oleksander Usyk.

Heavyweight underdog Hunter is probably the most underrated heavyweight on the list. He doesn’t have the recognition he deserves for a very underrated win against Martin Bakole. The two blemishes on his record come against highly skilled boxers who were given a run for their money. Hunter deserves another big fight which might be hard to find with many in the top ten busy with other fight commitments. Next fight TBA.

9) Kubrat Pulev – 28-1 (14 KO’s) – Former WBA, WBO and IBF world title challenger. Former European heavyweight champion. Current IBF mandatory challenger.
Big wins – Alexander Dimitrenko, Alexander Ustinov, Tony Thompson, Dereck Chisora, Samuel Peter, Kevin Johnson, Hughie Fury. One loss by TKO to Wladimir Klitschko.

Slightly past his best but still a skilled heavyweight with a really good record. For the past year or two Pulev’s been biding his time waiting for the world title shot. Next fight Vs Anthony Joshua for the IBF world title.

10) Luis Ortiz – 31-2 (26 KO’S) – Former WBA interim heavyweight champion. Two time WBC heavyweight title challenger.
Big wins – Bryant Jennings, Tony Thompson, Malik Scott, Dave Allen, Christian Hammer. Two TKO losses to WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

Ortiz is another very skilled heavyweight who was considered to be the bogey man of the division before his two defeats to Deontay Wilder. He came very close to stopping Wilder in the first fight and was winning every round in the rematch before being devastatingly KO’d. At his age it’s hard to know if he can recover from another brutal KO loss. Next fight rumoured to be against Andy Ruiz Jr.

 

Honourable mentions.

Oleksander Usyk – 17-0 (13 KO’s) – Former undisputed Cruiserweight world champion. Heavyweight contender.
Big wins – Krzysztof Glowacki, Thabiso Mchunu, Michael Hunter, Marco Huck, Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, Tony Bellew, Chazz Witherspoon.

Usyk is by far one of the top three skilled heavyweights. However his lack of fights and inactivity at heavyweight make it difficult to place him inside the top ten. Five of the opponents he has beaten have at one point moved up to heavyweight from cruiserweight. Usyk could easily be a top 5/10 heavyweight with some bigger wins in the division. Next fight likely to be Dereck Chisora.

Adam Kownacki – 20-0 (15 KO’S) – Undefeated heavyweight contender.
Big wins – Artur Szplika, Charles Martin, Gerald Washington, Chris Arreola.

Kownacki has a fan friendly style and is developing a solid resume with a high ranking in each governing body. He’s probably too easy to hit to be an elite level heavyweight, but can’t be ignored. Next fight Vs Robert Helenius.

Oscar Rivas – 26-1 (18KO’S) - Heavyweight contender.
Big wins – Fabio Maldonado, Bryant Jennings. One close decision loss to Dillian Whyte.

Rivas is a very promising contender as seen in his destruction of Bryant Jennings and scoring a knock down in a tightly contested fight with Dillian Whyte. He needs more fights against top heavyweight contenders in order to move up the rankings. Next fight TBA.

Agit Kayabel – 19-0 (13 KO’S) – Undefeated Heavyweight contender. European heavyweight champion.
Big wins – Dereck Chisora, Andriy Rudenko.

Inactivity and lack of opportunities have stopped Kayabel from progressing any further since his win over Dereck Chisora, which looks a lot better in hindsight. Next fight TBA.

Dereck Chisora – 32-9 (23KO’S) – Former British, Commonwealth and European heavyweight champion. WBC world title challenger.
Big wins – Danny Williams, Sam Sexton x2, Malik Scott, Edmund Gerber, Kevin Johnson, Carlos Takam, Artur Szpilka, David Price. Two losses to Tyson Fury; one on points, one by TKO. A controversial loss to Robert Helenius. One wide points loss to Vitali Klitschko. One KO loss to David Haye. A close points loss to Kubrat Pulev. Two losses to Dillian Whyte; one a close points loss, the other by KO. An uneventful points loss to Agit Kayabel.

Chisora is this generations Bert Cooper. He has a lot of losses, but all to top 10/15 opposition and is almost always in an entertaining fight. Despite having a lot of wear and tear he’s enjoying the best spell in his career. Next fight likely to be against Oleksander Usyk.

Manuel Charr – 31-4 (17KO’S) – Current WBA “regular” world heavyweight champion. Former WBC world title challenger.
Big wins – Kevin Johnson, Alex Leapai, Alexander Ustinov. One TKO loss to Vitali Klitschko, one KO loss to Alexander Povetkin, one close decision loss to Johann Duhaupas, one KO loss to Mairis Briedis.

Charr has been a solid top 20 heavyweight contender for the past five years or so and is the current WBA regular belt holder. Charr seems to be holding out for one last high profile fight and pay day much like David Haye did at the end of his career. He hasn’t fought for over 2 years. Next fight TBA.

Filip Hrgovic – 10-0 (8KO’S) – Undefeated Heavyweight prospect.
Big wins – Amir Mansour, Kevin Johnson, Gregory Corbin, Eric Molina.

Hrgovic is one of the most exciting heavyweight prospects in the world today. He has some decent wins over heavyweights at gatekeeper level. He needs to be involved and win in bigger fights in order to be a top ten heavyweight. Next fight rumoured to be Martin Bakole.

Daniel Dubois – 14-0 (13KO’S) – British heavyweight champion.
Big wins – Tom Little, Kevin Johnson, Nathan Gorman.

Triple D is a heavyweight prospect known for eye catching KO’S. His level of opposition hasn’t been great, but is steadily improving with each fight. If he wins his next fight in style he is a serious contender to be a top ten heavyweight. Next fight Vs Joe Joyce.

Joe Joyce – 10-0 (9KO’S) – Commonwealth heavyweight champion.
Big wins – Lenroy Thomas, Bermaine Stiverne, Alexander Ustinov, Bryant Jennings.

At 34 Joyce is an old prospect but doesn’t have many miles on the clock. His aggressive hard hitting style sometimes looks similar to a young, raw George Foreman. Although he has a better record than some of the other prospects, he doesn’t appear to be quite as talented. But shouldn’t be underestimated. Next fight Vs Daniel Dubois.

Martin Bakole– 15-1 (12 KO’S) – Heavyweight prospect.
Big wins – Mariusz Wach, Kevin Johnson. One TKO loss to top ten heavyweight Michael Hunter.

Bakole is another heavyweight that has slipped under the radar with the casual audience. Bakole is talented and heavy handed. Like Dubois, Joyce and Hrgovic, he needs a breakthrough win. Next fight rumoured to be Filip Hrgovic.

Charles Martin – 28-2-1 (25 KO’S) – Former IBF heavyweight world champion.
Big wins – Vyacheslav Glazkov, Gregory Corbin, Gerald Washington. One draw early on in his career to Alvaro Morales. One TKO loss to Anthony Joshua, one close points loss to Adam Kownacki.

Martin will always be remembered as a former world champion however his world title win came against an injured opponent early on in their fight. He seemed to have frozen against Anthony Joshua. Martin has redeemed himself lately with a win over Gerald Washington and a valiant loosing effort against Adam Kownacki. Next fight TBA.

 

Former unified champ. Close world title loss to Parker. Not many heavyweights have a better single win

 

Nice list! No Ortiz? Hard to look past Fury being number one after last nights performance