Anthony Joshua could join elite club that includes Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis if he beats Daniel Dubois
17/09/2024 16:10
Anthony Joshua could be moments away from rubbing shoulders with heavyweight elite if he beats Daniel Dubois.
AJ has already achieved so much in boxing, but has a chance to reign supreme again as he meets Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium for the IBF heavyweight title this weekend.
Joshua has previously held heavyweight world titles on two occasions, but has not held a belt since losing them to Oleksandr Usyk twice in 2021 and 2022.
He has since rebuilt training under new guide Ben Davison, and is looking to reach the big time once again at the age of 33.
But he has the opportunity to become a three-time heavyweight champion if he beats ‘Dynamite’ and snatches the IBF crown away from his domestic rival.
There have been just five previous heavyweights to record the achievement including Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, who are among the greats to have completed the feat.
Here is the full list of talented blue-riband operators who are already part of the record-holding club.
Lennox Lewis
Record: 41-2-1 [32 KOs]
World titles: WBC heavyweight x2; WBO, IBF, heavyweight
One of the greatest heavyweights of all-time, Lewis completed it all in the division, beating the likes of Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno and fellow members Klitschko and Holyfield in his incredible journey towards undisputed glory.
Lewis was accurate, supremely powerful and a gifted technician who could always mix it with the best being beaten just twice by Hasim Rahman and Oliver McCall during his stellar time in the professional ranks.
Evander Holyfield
Record: 44-10-2 [29 KOs]
World titles: WBA, WBC, IBF heavyweight; WBA, IBF heavyweight; WBA heavyweight
A true master at work, Holyfield became one of the greatest fighters in history with his dominance not only reflected at heavyweight but also at cruiserweight as he became the first to be undisputed in two divisions in the ‘three belt’ era.
He forged some epic rivalries during the years at the peak of his powers with famous duels against Lewis, Mike Tyson helping him secure longevity having become the only boxer to win titles in the 1980’s, 1990’s and 2000’s.
The legend also reigned as a four-time heavyweight champion, with his final stint coming in 2001 when he beat John Ruiz to regain his WBA title.
Muhammad Ali
Record: 56-5 [37 KOs]
World titles: WBA, WBC heavyweight x2; WBA heavyweight
‘The Greatest’ earned his alias for a reason, with his achievements at heavyweight matched by next to none, with his slick movement, incredible skillset and brash personality seeing him emerge as arguably boxing’s most high-profile name.
Ali fought in some of the most historic clashes of all-time including the famous 1974 Rumble in the Jungle with George Foreman, which was watched by close to one billion viewers globally, leaving himself a legacy like no other.
Vitali Klitschko
Record: 45-2 [41 KOs]
World titles: WBO heavyweight; WBC heavyweight x2
A modern era great, Klitschko alongside his brother Wladimir, were an agile-moving, power-punching dynasty and his dominance at the pinnacle saw him be crowned world champion on three separate occasions.
The Ukrainian effectively dominated the period which later was named the ‘Klitschko’ era, with records tumbling during his reign before he retired as a reigning world king at the age of 42.
Michael Moorer
Record: 52-4 [40 KOs]
World titles: WBO heavyweight, WBA, IBF heavyweight; IBF heavyweight
Moorer was a tricky and powerful southpaw who went under the radar given his unprecedented success in boxing’s glamour division, where he came up against some huge names including Holyfield and George Foreman.
His success was mirrored at light-heavyweight, and records tumbled given he reached lineal champion status in the more rare fighting stance, which has only since been matched by Oleksandr Usyk.
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