Special feature: Greatest heavyweights of the modern era

Boxing Junkie presents in this special feature its list of the 10 greatest heavyweights of the modern era.

The process of selecting the 10 greatest heavyweights of the modern era – post World War II – made one thing clear: There have been many outstanding big men over the past 75 years.

Boxing Junkie was able to whittle the list down to the desired number but it wasn’t easy. The criteria we used wasn’t complicated: Our decisions were based on the accomplishments of the fighters, with some consideration of their impact on the sport.

We decided not to include active fighters such as Deontay Wilder, Tyson Fury and Andy Ruiz Jr. We thought it made sense to let the current crop of heavyweights sort things out before considering them.

Wilder faces Luis Ortiz in a rematch on Saturday. Ruiz does the same with Anthony Joshua on Dec. 7.

So here is our list, with the “next five” listed after No. 10.

Chris Arreola’s Wilder vs. Ortiz II fight prediction

Veteran heavyweight contender Chris Arreola gives his take on the Deontay Wilder-Luis Ortiz rematch on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Veteran heavyweight contender Chris Arreola gives his take on the Deontay Wilder-Luis Ortiz rematch on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Andy Ruiz’s Wilder vs. Ortiz II prediction

Andy Ruiz, who holds multiple pieces of the heavyweight crown, gives his take on the Deontay Wilder-Luis Ortiz rematch Saturday in Las Vegas.

Andy Ruiz, who holds multiple pieces of the heavyweight crown, gives his take on the Deontay Wilder-Luis Ortiz rematch Saturday in Las Vegas.