British boxers have taken over the heavyweight division in recent years. WBC and lineal champion Tyson Fury currently leads the pack, while Anthony Joshua has twice reigned as a unified champion. Daniel Dubois took possession of the WBA ‘regular’ strap for a while before a hard-fought and controversial loss to Oleksandr Usyk. Joe Joyce has made waves too, though Zhilei Zhang may have soothed those waters for good.
But where do the current crop fit in when pitched against the best British heavyweights from history? The Sportsman has ranked the top 10 British heavyweights of the modern era. Read on to find out where your favourite placed.
10. Dillian Whyte
His inclusion may get some stick given his recent struggles, but on balance ‘The Body Snatcher’ deserves this. After his first career defeat to Anthony Joshua in 2015, Whyte became ‘best of the rest’ with a series of wins over world-ranked contenders. Wins over Joseph Parker, Derek Chisora and Mariusz Wach, plus a revenge victory over ex-WBA champion Alexander Povetkin, justify his place here. Tyson Fury may have ended his prime in 2022 with a sixth-round TKO win.
9. Herbie Hide
‘The Dancing Destroyer’ is a two-time WBO heavyweight champion, albeit at a time when that belt was not as highly-regarded as today. Hide still beat solid opposition during his career though, including former heavyweight champion Tony Tucker, Michael Bentt and James Pritchard. There was no shame in losing his WBO belts to Riddick Bowe and Vitali Klitschko.
8. Henry Akinwande
Another beneficiary of the WBO title’s UK popularity in the 90s, the Dulwich fighter defended that belt twice before vacating it to fight Lewis for the WBC strap. He lost that fight in bizarre circumstances, being disqualified for excessive holding. Wins over Axel Schulz, Orlin Norris and Timo Hoffmann, as well as Commonwealth and European titles to go with his world belt, make him top 10 worthy.
7. Henry Cooper
‘Our ‘Enry’ gave a young Cassius Clay all he could handle, knocking him down in their 1963 classic. The futute-Ali triumphed after Cooper was stopped on cuts, and were it not for his tendency to bleed he might be higher on this list. The Lambeth fighter went undefeated in British and Commonwealth title fights for twelve years, and is the only boxer to win three Lonsdale Belts outright.
6. Joe Bugner
Respected more than loved by virtue of a controversial decision win over the wildly popular Henry Cooper. Bugner’s record was solid, however. The Hungary-born British-Australian was a fixture in the world top 10, beating quality names like Jimmy Ellis and Brian London. ‘Aussie Joe’ also twice went the distance with Muhammad Ali, as well as taking ‘Smokin’’ Joe Frazier to the scorecards.
5. Frank Bruno
A beloved figure who transcended boxing to become one of Britain’s foremost celebrities, the affable Bruno failed in his first three attempts to win a heavyweight title. Finally won the WBC championship from Oliver McCall on one of British boxing’s greatest nights.
4. David Haye
Perhaps a better cruiserweight than a heavyweight, ‘Hayemaker’ still boasts an admirable CV in boxing’s banner division. Wladimir Klitschko was a bridge too far, but his WBA title win over Nikolai Valuev showed patience and quality.
3. Anthony Joshua
The former WBO, WBA and IBF champion has become a maligned figure in recent years, but defeats to Andy Ruiz Jr and Oleksander Usyk should not tarnish what ‘AJ’ has accomplished. Wins over Wladimir Klitschko, Ruiz in a rematch, Alexander Povetkin and Joseph Parker make for a strong resume. Only Lennox Lewis, Tyson Fury and ‘AJ’ have held unified heavyweight titles in British boxing history. Wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius have put Joshua back on the right path, though his style has become too cautious for some.
2. Tyson Fury
The people’s champion, as well as the WBC and lineal king, the immensely popular Fury is many people’s number one. Wins over Wladimir Klitschko and twice over Deontay Wilder have put him on pound-for-pound lists, but fights with Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua can seal his legacy. A needless crossover bout with Francis Ngannou brings Fury’s priorities into question, even if his ability can never be doubted.
1. Lennox Lewis
The last undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Lewis overcame setbacks against Hasim Rahman and Oliver McCall to knock them out in rematches. Wins over Evander Holyfield, Vitali Klitschko and Mike Tyson solidify ‘The Lion’ as the best Britain has produced.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
