Anthony Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, has frequently mentioned that he has studied boxing’s history and art.
In a rediscovered 2014 interview with iFL TV, Joshua listed the top five heavyweights in history.
5. Evander Holyfield
Currently, “The Real Deal” is the only fighter to have defeated legends like Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, George Foreman, and Larry Holmes to become the undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight in the 1990s.
That honour will be shared, though, if Usyk prevails in his impending bout with Tyson Fury.
4. Lennox Lewis
Joshua chose Lennox Lewis, a fellow Brit, at number four. Lewis is among the select few warriors who have vanquished every adversary they have encountered. “The Lion,” who defeated Holyfield in 1999, was the final heavyweight to hold the unchallenged title.
3. Larry Holmes, dubbed “The Easton Assassin,” is widely regarded as possessing the greatest jab in the sport’s history, but he also possessed a wide range of other skills, as seen by the fact that he was the only person to stop Muhammad Ali throughout his more than seven-year tenure as the WBC champion.
2. Mike Tyson
Fan favourite Mike Tyson, a fighter the British person “would have loved to have read comics about as a kid,” comes in second place behind Joshua. With his renowned knockout ability, “Iron” Mike recorded 44 stoppages in his 50 professional victories. In 1986, at the age of just 20, he defeated Trevor Berbick in two rounds to become the youngest heavyweight world champion ever.
1. Ali Muhammad
According to Joshua, the player who “brought finesse to the game” is ranked #1, living up to Muhammad Ali’s moniker as “The Greatest.” After defeating Sonny Liston in 1964, Ali held the title of champion for six years until political unrest resulted in the revocation of his licence.