4. Mike Tyson – WBC, WBA, IBF – August 1987 to February 1990
Aged 20, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986, and he really was the “Baddest Man on the Planet” in the late ’80s. Tyson is the world’s most famous living boxer, and in a colourful and controversial early life, wiped out all of his contenders at world level with a swarming, fast, muscular style, speed and arcing punches until 1990.
(Clockwise from left) Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson and Oleksandr Usyk. Credit: Marija Ercegovac
He was the first heavyweight to hold the WBC, WBA and IBF titles simultaneously. His reign came to an end in a shock defeat to 42-1 outsider Buster Douglas in Tokyo in 1990. But on his top form, his pressure was too much for even the top contenders.
3. George Foreman – WBC, WBA – January 1973 to October 1974
“Big George” hit like a cannon, ripped Joe Frazier apart, and went undefeated until he met Muhammad Ali in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1974. Frighteningly powerful, he had not been beaten in 40 fights until then, all but three of those contests by stoppage.
Remarkably, Foreman came back after 10 years retired to become the oldest heavyweight champion in history, aged 46. He was a gold medallist at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
2. Muhammad Ali – WBC, WBA – October 1974 to February 1978
They called Ali “The Greatest”, he called himself “The Greatest”, and the brilliant fighter, showman and activist is – in my view – the most important boxer of the modern era, for his impact on society and the legendary fights he was involved in.
The “Fight of the Century” in 1971, the “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975 – both against Joe Frazier – and the “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974 against Foreman are three of the most talked about sports events of all time. Ali combined skill, movement and pure entertainment. He, too, won Olympic gold – at Rome in 1960.
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1. Lennox Lewis – WBC, WBA, IBF – November 1999 to April 2000
For 24 years, until the Fury-Usyk bout, Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight world champion. He avenged both of his two defeats, won Olympic gold and – with a powerful ramrod jab, huge right hand and presence in the ring – there is a strong argument to make him the greatest of them all in the modern era.
He never fought Riddick Bowe in the professional ranks, but did beat him at the Olympics. Defeated all-comers otherwise, including Holyfield, Tyson, and Vitali Klitschko.
Telegraph, London