Who was the best American Heavyweight Champion 2000-2025?

[GhostofDempsey]

I have to go with Byrd. Pretty good resume and a head2head win over Holyfield. As much as I enjoyed Evander’s fights and style, I have a difficult time getting past the Evan Fields controversy.

[MalevolentBite]

I have to go with Byrd. Pretty good resume and a head2head win over Holyfield. As much as I enjoyed Evander’s fights and style, I have a difficult time getting past the Evan Fields controversy.

We got another Byrd vote !!!!!! Like I said Byrd was underrated !!!

[QueensburyRules]

We got another Byrd vote !!!!!! Like I said Byrd was underrated !!!

- - Most agree Byrd which is faint praise of the American Hvy scene then and still ongoing now...

[QueensburyRules]

- - I'd say Tony Thompson was actually the best American Hvy who was unfortunate to be in the K era, but late in his career he traveled over seas against the odds to twice KO touted monster heavy, David Price and then humiliate Odlanier Solis the Cuban Gold Medalist picked to be the dominant heavy.

Keep in mind Tony was a Lefty who were barely gaining title traction then until the Ks broke the mold.

[MalevolentBite]

- - I'd say Tony Thompson was actually the best American Hvy who was unfortunate to be in the K era, but late in his career he traveled over seas against the odds to twice KO touted monster heavy, David Price and then humiliate Odlanier Solis the Cuban Gold Medalist picked to be the dominant heavy.

Keep in mind Tony was a Lefty who were barely gaining title traction then until the Ks broke the mold.

Nahhh come on man lol. Plus he never was a champion so he wouldn't even be mentioned. Tony was decent maybe step below fast eddie chambers? Lol

[BKM-]

Hasim Rahman gets too much hate imo. Even though he could be sloppy and some of his losses are utterly devastating, he was a strong guy who could take out anyone if he landed his money shot and had some good and also great wins.

For one he really should have gotten the nod in the first Tua fight, and he's also the only fighter who put a prime David Tua on his ass(100% legit knockdown, post-bell or not). His win over dangerous Sanders is impressive, another decent win against Barrett. He obviously scored one of the all time great KO's of HW boxing against Lennox.

Maybe even overachieved. There is an old saying about the man. After Hasim knocked Lewis out people said "Hasi him but I don't believe em'".

[MalevolentBite]

Hasim Rahman gets too much hate imo. Even though he could be sloppy and some of his losses are utterly devastating, he was a strong guy who could take out anyone if he landed his money shot and had some good and also great wins.

For one he really should have gotten the nod in the first Tua fight, and he's also the only fighter who put a prime David Tua on his ass(100% legit knockdown, post-bell or not). His win over dangerous Sanders is impressive, another decent win against Barrett. He obviously scored one of the all time great KO's of HW boxing against Lennox.

Maybe even overachieved. There is an old saying about the man. After Hasim knocked Lewis out people said "Hasi him but I don't believe em'".

I got Rahman as top 3 best American champion in the last 25 years. You think he should be higher ?

[BKM-]

I got Rahman as top 3 best American champion in the last 25 years. You think he should be higher ?

Well Wilder should be #1 in my eyes, so it's between Byrd and Rahman. Byrd's got the wins over Vitali, Tua, past prime Evander, McCline, and he was a small HW's who had really nice upperbody movement, footwork, defense etc. Yeah Rahman's fine at #3.

[BKM-]

I have to go with Byrd. Pretty good resume and a head2head win over Holyfield. As much as I enjoyed Evander’s fights and style, I have a difficult time getting past the Evan Fields controversy.

Would it help if I told you his rivals like Tyson and Lewis on just as big, if not bigger ****tails of PED's than Evander?

[MalevolentBite]

Would it help if I told you his rivals like Tyson and Lewis on just as big, if not bigger ****tails of PED's than Evander?

Wait Lennox has a failed PED test?