Fury Names His Top 5 British Boxers, Includes Himself

Tyson Fury, a former world heavyweight champion, has unveiled his personal list of the top five British boxers of all time, featuring himself among the elite.

Fury, who gained global recognition in 2015 after his victory against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, selected Prince Naseem Hamed, Carl Froch, Joe Calzaghe, Lennox Lewis, and himself for this distinction.

When questioned about the greatest British fighters, Fury stated, “Prince Naseem Hamed, or Carl Froch, or Joe Calzaghe, or Lennox Lewis, or me.”

Prince Naseem Hamed boasted 36 victories and held the WBO featherweight title. Carl Froch, a winner of WBC, WBA, and IBF titles, retired after a notable knockout at Wembley. Joe Calzaghe concluded his career undefeated at 46-0, with wins against legendary opponents. Lennox Lewis, an undisputed heavyweight champion, achieved dominance with victories over Tyson, Holyfield, and Klitschko.

Fury’s career is marked by significant highs and lows. Following his triumph over Klitschko, he took a hiatus from boxing due to challenges related to mental health, substance abuse, and weight management.

His comeback in 2018 was remarkable, leading to his defeat of WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Their series of three fights included a controversial draw in the first match, followed by two decisive wins for Fury.

He later encountered Oleksandr Usyk, the undefeated champion, in a title fight for the undisputed heavyweight title, suffering a narrow defeat on points.

In a particularly challenging ninth round, Fury faced significant pressure from Usyk’s attacks, which caused him to stumble against the ropes.

Fury announced his retirement from boxing in January 2025, following his loss to Usyk in their rematch for the WBA (Super), WBO, and WBC world heavyweight titles.

Despite his retirement, many fans hope to witness Fury’s return in a major contest against fellow British boxer and former champion, Anthony Joshua.