As we prepare for Saturday’s clash between IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in London, it seems like a good time to take a step back in time and remember the greatest heavyweights of the last 24 years.

The fight, which is set to air on pay-per-view, may go unnoticed in the States, but make no mistake — this is a significant fight with huge implications. So sit back, relax, and take in the heavyweight landscape of the century so far. Whether you’re a seasoned boxing fan or just here for the spectacle, we’re going to dive in. Grab your keyboard, channel your inner historian, and leave a comment, good or bad.

Let’s take a closer look at one of the most intriguing heavyweight fights in recent years.

Level I – Legends of the era

Lennox Lewis He’s in a class of his own — and probably a top-five heavyweight of all time. His punch? Think Larry Holmes, but with an upgrade and always on repeat. Lewis wasn’t about showing off; he wanted to do it. At 6’5” with an 84” reach, he combined size, power and the tutelage of the delayed Emanuel Steward to dominate his era, which, in retrospect, was a good one. And let’s not forget his resilience: Knocked out by Oliver McCall in ’94, he came back to stop McCall three years later. The same goes for Hasim Rahman — Lewis avenged that knockout with one of the greatest comeback performances of all time. His resume is robust: Frank Bruno, Evander Holyfield, Vitali Klitschko, David Tua, Shannon Briggs, Razor Ruddock and, a little after his prime, Mike Tyson were among his most decorated victims. In a crowded, heavyweight lineup, Lewis reigned supreme.

Alexander Usyk may be the greatest junior boxer of all time, and the only possible rival for that mythical crown is Evander Holyfield. Usyk swept all the junior belts, then shocked Anthony Joshua in 2021 to win three of the four major heavyweight titles, a victory he repeated the following year. His progression in 2024 reinforces the legend, as he defeated the undefeated Tyson Fury in a war to cement his status as the best in the division. Usyk’s legacy? Built on determination. Never one to shy away from a challenge, his career has been one for the history books, and he has won many of his biggest fights in his opponent’s backyard.

This The Klitschko Brothers They were like the San Francisco Giants of the early 2010s — a dynasty. Vitali and Wladimir dominated, each in their own way. Vitali was more electrifying, while Wladimir’s reign defined consistency. Vitali retired with the WBC belt in 2013 after two undefeated reigns, while Wladimir held his titles from 2006 to 2015, when he was dethroned by Tyson Fury. Together, the Klitschkos defined an era, as many consider them the best of the century.

And then there is Tyson Fury — the division’s enigma. He dethroned Wladimir Klitschko when no one thought he could, disappeared after failing a drug test, then returned to fight Deontay Wilder after two inconsequential wins in 2018. Fury fought Wilder to a draw and knocked him out twice in their trilogy. But Fury has been inconsistent of delayed, and after a needy run — including a loss to MMA fighter and boxing newcomer Francis Ngannou — he finally got to fight Usyk in what could be the fight of the year. Despite the loss, it was an era-defining fight that reminded us why Fury belongs at the top.

Level II – Not quite the best, but close

Anthony Joshua. After winning Olympic gold, he won three of his four belts, beating the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin along the way. A shock knockout defeat to Andy Ruiz in 2019 was avenged, with Kubrat Pulev being defeated before losing twice to Usyk. Now with Ben Davison in his corner, Joshua will be hoping a win over Daniel Dubois will aid cement his legacy, as he looks as good as ever on his current four-fight win streak.

Joseph Parkerthe comeback kid. He won the vacant WBO title by beating the unbeaten Andy Ruiz, knocked down Anthony Joshua and lost to Dillian Whyte after a headbutt changed the fight. When he lost to Joe Joyce in 2022, it looked like his top-flight career was over… Then he came back with a bang, beating Deontay Wilder in December 2023 and Zhilei Zhang four months later. A few more signature wins would have seen his profile rise.

Chris Byrdforgotten genius. Byrd outboxed Evander Holyfield, David Tua and is one of only two to have defeated the great Vitali Klitschko, all while being a petite man. He didn’t have the knockout power, but he had the brains — and that allowed him to beat some of the biggest names in the division.

From Middleweight Champion to Heavyweight Champion (Thanks, John Ruiz), Roy Jones Jr.’s career was legendary. His fall was just as dramatic, however, as he was knocked out by Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson as he returned to a lower weight class. Yet his genius remains undeniable, and although his stint as a heavyweight was brief, he never lost in that division.

Level III – Pursuit Pack

The biggest surprise may be Deontay WilderHis brutal knockouts and trilogy with Fury have defined his career, and while his reign has been tumultuous and his recent form needy, his place as one of the most powerful boxers is secure.

David Haye He may not have matched the cruiserweight success of the heavyweight division, but he was a box office hit in the UK before Anthony Joshua came along. When he moved up to heavyweight, Haye impressed, beating the solid titleholder Nikolai Valuev by a majority decision away in Germany, and did what many popular heavyweights do – knocking out the ‘monotonous but effective’ John Ruiz. His loss to Wladimir Klitschko was a gut punch for British fans, and while no one will point to his fight with Audley Harrison as a standout in terms of quality, it certainly seemed to matter at the time. He also sold out a football stadium when he knocked out Derek Chisora ​​in an entertaining bout. In tiny, Haye was a star.

Daniel Dubois enters Saturday night’s fight with a chance to elevate his status. Stopped by Joe Joyce and Usyk, Dubois has rebounded with victories over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic. Saturday will be the defining moment.

Martin Cole is one of the best kept secrets of the era. His only loss to Michael Hunter is no shame, and his knockout of Jared Anderson has everyone waiting to see what comes next.

Hasim Rahman will forever be remembered for that devastating knockout of Lennox Lewis in 2001. Although Lewis got his revenge, Rahman etched himself into heavyweight history with that one punch.

Andy Ruiz Jr. is well on his way to becoming the ultimate “what could have been” in boxing. After Joshua’s shocking knockout, Ruiz’s lack of focus led to his rematch loss. His recent comeback ended in a draw with Jarrell Miller, and his once-stellar career has faded.

Alexander Povetkin he is an Olympic gold medalist who has never escaped Wladimir Klitschko’s shadow. A failed drug test didn’t aid, but Povetkin’s influence is still felt.

Zhilei Zhang made waves with two knockout victories over Joe Joyce. His knockout of Deontay Wilder in March was brutal, though his earlier loss to Parker may prove to be the most telling.

Level IV – Solid but dim

Luis Ortiz He was often on the verge of heavyweight glory, but Deontay Wilder denied him twice, ending his dreams of becoming world champion. Each time he faced Wilder, Ortiz came close, but was ultimately stopped by Wilder’s strength. Ortiz’s legacy is further tarnished by his habit of failing PED tests.

David Tuaa fearsome fighter who never quite made it huge. His best moments are impressive, but they don’t include those 12-round fights where he got knocked out. He was probably at his best towards the end of the last century.

Michael Hunter flirted with the top, with his only loss coming against Usyk at cruiserweight. But now he seems to be fading away, with his career in need of a decisive victory before time runs out completely.

John Ruiz he was the archetypal solid but unspectacular heavyweight. His grappling, grappling style was not pleasant to watch, and his knockout losses damaged his legacy.

Nikolai Valuev, with a reach of 85 inches – longer than (I’m almost certain) a video game he would even let you create — he was no tiny man. Nicknamed the “Russian Giant,” Valuev was a seven-foot imposing figure who held the WBA heavyweight title in two separate reigns.

Ruslan Chagaevtechnically gifted fighter who never got what he deserved. He may be remembered if fellow countryman Bakhodir Jalolov makes a splash.

Lamon Brewster went from promising to forgotten, but was one of the few to defeat Wladimir Klitschko.

Corrie Sanders he was different. He could punch, but his beard couldn’t hold up, and all his losses came by knockout to huge names.

Level V – Rising Stars

Bakhodir JalolovThe résumé screams Hall of Fame potential, but his professional career still seems to have stalled. Jalolov is the only two-time Olympic gold medalist in the super heavyweight division, and oddly enough, he won both while still a professional boxer. That alone overshadowed his dominance in amateur boxing, where he was considered the best for nearly six years — while also cashing in pro paychecks. Weird, isn’t it? At 30, Jalolov boasts a perfect record (14-0, 14 KOs), but his professional career hasn’t panned out the way you’d expect for a boxer with his pedigree. Time is running out…

Richard Torrez Jr. He carried the torch as America’s best amateur heavyweight for years after the 2016 Rio Olympics. At just 6’2”, he looks more like a state-of-the-art super middleweight than a true heavyweight. On Friday night, he’ll face Philadelphia veteran Joey Dawejko in the co-main event, a step forward in his adolescent professional career. While Torrez has yet to face elite competition as a pro, his amateur record suggests he could thrive in the huge leagues — except for one glaring memory: In 2019, before the Olympic qualifiers, Jalolov brutally knocked him out, a moment that still resonates with some fight fans nearly five years later.

Moses Ituama he is only 19 years senior, but his potential is the subject of rumors. Undefeated and headed for greatness, he is on the list for his promise.

Jared Anderson he may have lost to Bakole, but he’s not done yet. His future will depend on how he does against the bigger guys in the division, as well as his motivation to fight in the first place.