Ukrainian boxers dominate as three make top four heavyweights of the 21st century
Photo: open sources
Ukrainian boxers have been globally acknowledged, as shown by the rankings of the top super heavyweights of the 21st century. Volodymyr Klychko came in first, while Oleksandr Usyk and Vitalii Klychko placed second and fourth, respectively.
The corresponding rating was published by the authoritative sports portal GiveMeSport.
The list is topped by Volodymyr Klychko, who has won 23 fights for world championship titles in his career.
Oleksandr Usyk, the current WBO, WBC, WBA, and IBO world champion, took second place. Vitalii Klychko completed the top four.
Tyson Fury, whom Usyk defeated in a match for the absolute world champion title, is currently in third place.
Vitalii Klychko is on the 4th step.
Photo: GiveMeSport
"Few events in world sport can captivate an audience like a world heavyweight title fight in boxing. Over the years, the likes of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and George Foreman have proven at different times that they are number one in the most prestigious division of this sport.
However, science is constantly developing, and the 21st century has given birth to a new breed of heavyweights. Size and brute strength – while still desirable qualities – are no longer the deciding factors in a weight class.
In the modern era, speed and technique are just as crucial for the division's top stars," the rating description says.
Top 10 heavyweights of the 21st century according to GiveMeSport
- Volodymyr Klychko (Ukraine, 64-5, 53 KOs)
- Oleksandr Usyk (Ukraine, 22-0, 14 KOs)
- Tyson Fury (Great Britain 34-1-1, 24 KOs)
- Vitalii Klychko (Ukraine, 45-2, 41 KOs)
- Deontay Wilder (USA, 43-4-1, 42 KOs)
- Lennox Lewis (USA, 41-2-1, 32 KOs)
- Anthony Joshua (Great Britain, 28-4, 25 KOs)
- Daniel Dubois (Great Britain, 22-2, 21 KOs)
- Chris Byrd (USA, 41-5-1, 22 KOs)
- Joseph Parker (New Zealand, 35-3, 23 KOs)
For reference:
It is worth mentioning that Volodymyr Klychko's final match was on April 29, 2017, when Anthony Joshua knocked him out. The fight took place in London against the unbeaten British boxer. After three months, the 41-year-old Ukrainian fighter retired from his career.
Furthermore, the Klychko brothers, Vitalii and Volodymyr, were recognized in the Guinness Book of Records as the champion sibling duo with the most professional boxing fights.
