Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has confidently placed himself among the sport's all-time greats, revealing his personal top five list of the best heavyweight fighters in history.
Joshua's Historic Heavyweight Picks
When asked to name his top five heavyweight fighters, the 36-year-old British boxer didn't hesitate to include his own name alongside some of boxing's most legendary figures. Joshua's selections were Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, himself, Mike Tyson, and Jim Corbett.
The Watford-born fighter specifically elaborated on Tyson's inclusion, explaining how the American icon transformed the sport. "I watched an interview and Emanuel Steward said it best," Joshua noted. "There's not many fighters who come into a generation that make 6'6 guys want to box like they are 5'11. Mike Tyson was a generational icon - not just for his boxing skill, but his aura, his psychology."
A Career of Highs and Lows
Joshua's self-inclusion comes despite recent setbacks in his professional career. After winning Olympic gold at London 2012, he turned professional and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming world champion in just his 16th professional fight when he defeated Charles Martin in 2016.
His career has seen remarkable victories against boxing elite including Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, and Alexander Povetkin. However, Joshua has also experienced significant defeats, most notably his shocking loss to Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019, which he avenged in an immediate rematch to become a two-time champion.
More recently, Joshua suffered a knockout defeat to fellow Brit Daniel Dubois in their September 2024 bout at Wembley Stadium, marking his last appearance in the ring before his upcoming fight.
Looking Ahead: The Jake Paul Showdown
Joshua's next challenge comes against YouTube-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a professional heavyweight showdown scheduled for December 19 in Miami. The bout will be contested over eight three-minute rounds with both fighters wearing 10oz gloves.
The event will stream live on Netflix, with UK fight fans able to watch the action from approximately 4am local time. Despite his recent defeat to Dubois, Joshua remains one of the most prominent figures in British boxing and is planning what could be his final career push in the coming year.
Whether fans agree with his self-assessment or not, Joshua's confidence remains undimmed as he prepares for what promises to be one of the most talked-about boxing events of the year against Jake Paul.
