Lennox Lewis tops Britain's greatest heavyweights ranking

Lennox Lewis claims the top spot in a new ranking of Britain's greatest heavyweight boxers, with Tyson Fury landing at number two as both he and Anthony Joshua prepare for weekend bouts ahead of their planned 2026 showdown.

Ring Magazine columnist Declan Taylor assembled the list as Fury and Joshua — ranked second and fourth respectively — edge closer to their long-awaited 'Battle of Britain' later this year. The timing gives weight to where active fighters stand among British heavyweight legends.

From Farr to Fury: the full top 10

Wales gets sole representation through Tommy Farr at number 10, the Tonypandy Terror who took Joe Louis the full 15 rounds at Yankee Stadium in August 1937. Joe Bugner lands ninth despite never claiming a world title, his ability to go the distance twice with Muhammad Ali earning him the nod during boxing's golden age. Henry Cooper sits eighth — the only knight on the list — remembered as much for dropping Cassius Clay with his famed left hook in June 1963 as for the European title he later won.

Frank Bruno checks in seventh after finally capturing the WBC strap by stopping Oliver McCall in September 1995, his fourth title shot. David Haye ranks sixth as Britain's only cruiserweight-heavyweight champion, though his majority decision over seven-foot-two Nikolai Valuev in 2009 represents his heavyweight peak. Daniel Dubois enters at fifth as the youngest name, the 28-year-old Londoner having twice rebounded from stoppage losses to capture IBF gold and flatten Joshua at Wembley Stadium.

The top four remains under wraps in Taylor's column, but the premise is clear: Lewis sits atop the British heavyweight mountain, with Fury the closest pursuer. Both Fury and Joshua fight this weekend before their anticipated domestic clash later in the year.

Source: ringmagazine.com