The Top 5 All-Time Heavyweights Ranked by Riddick Bowe

With wins over Tony Tubbs, Evander Holyfield, and Pinklon Thomas, Riddick Bowe was the undisputed heavyweight champion.

He is regarded as a huge man who would fit in well in any age, having won 43 wins and held the title for two years. Dr. Beau Hightower recently asked him about who else, ranking himself at number three, he thought should be in the top five heavyweight rankings of all time.

Muhammad Ali

Fans would struggle to locate a top heavyweight list that did not include this fighter, known simply as “The Greatest.” Ali, who was formerly known as Cassius Clay, rose to fame both inside and outside of the ring.

In boxing, the Louisville fighter gained renown for his fluidity, charm, and self-assurance. He was the unchallenged heavyweight champion from 1974 to 1978, ending with 56 wins from 61 bouts, including wins against famous rivals like George Foreman, Sonny Liston, and Joe Frazier.

Holyfield Evander

More than any other fighters, Bowe is familiar with Holyfield. In what is regarded as the greatest heavyweight trilogy in history, Bowe won via unanimous decision and TKO over Holyfield’s lone majority decision win.

“The Real Deal,” who is still the only guy undefeated at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, had an amazing 57-fight career that included four different heavyweight championships.

Bowe, Riddick

“Big Daddy” Bowe ranks himself in third place. Only a courageous man could dispute with him after he overcame Holyfield with two victories, but the absence of Lennox Lewis—for whom Bowe was criticised for not fighting—will cause some people to take notice.

Mike Tyson

Despite going to the same school, Bowe and Tyson never had a fight. They were raised in a notorious neighbourhood, Brownsville, which contributed to their aggression in the ring. Even now, Tyson is the youngest person to have ever won the heavyweight title in the world. He frequently prevailed in bouts by sheer willpower before the opening bell. Iron Mike would almost always win the deal if his opponents select to stand and trade.

Buster Douglas

One fight in which Tyson was not successful was with Buster Douglas. Although Douglas’ victory there is recognised by many as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport, he also defeated Greg Page, Trevor Berbick, and Oliver McCall, three previous world champions.

In his next fight, he would lose the belts to Evander Holyfield after defeating Tyson to establish his dominance. Douglas had 38 wins in 46 fights until he retired in 1999.