Worst HW champ with at least 1 successful defence in 21th century

[Lackeos]

I picked Rahman. His title run was: beat Barrett, draw with a woefully out of shape Toney in a horribly boring fight, lose to Maskaev. Which, Maskaev's win over Rahman should be your first clue that there's someone in this poll who is worse than Maskaev. Actually, Toney - Rahman was one of the boxing matches that first got me paying attention to boxing, because I was trying to figure out how that terrible sh*tfest could actually be a world title fight. So, in summary, Rahman had a weak title win, a weak "successful title defense," and lost his title to another weak opponent. Horrible run.

[Enlightened-One]

Worst HW champ with at least 1 successful defence in 21th century

It's good to see so many genuine fans of the sport that are incredibly positive and appreciative about those brave men that risk their very well-being for the sake of our entertainment!

I just love the way that so many self-proclaimed fans of the sport of boxing persistently deride it by creating so many derogatory and hateful threads such as this. FFS!

[Best Coast]

You forgot to include one of the most forgettable HW champs of all-time...Charles Martin!!

The mere fact that you FORGOT him cements his claim...

[candyslim]

this century seen lots of weak HW champs, both with and without any succesfull defence
Deontay Wilder with 5 successful defences is still one of the worst champs in 21th century

There aren't many HC of T Ws in history that I would expect to comfortably defeat Deontay Wilder (and that's without bringing VADA into the equation).

I accept his technique leaves a lot to be desired but a fast athletic man of 6' 7" with phenomenal power in his right hand is going to be a right handful for most of them. If a peak Joe Louis took one of his sunday punches, how is he going to react?

[candyslim]

Worst heavyweight champ with no title defenses: Tyson Fury

I can't envisage too many in that list beating him (at or near his peak). I instinctively went for Maskaev but I'm not sure that's the right answer either.

[gp.]

You forgot to include one of the most forgettable HW champs of all-time...Charles Martin!!

The mere fact that you FORGOT him cements his claim...

He didn't have any successful defences.

[gp.]

Worst heavyweight champ with no title defenses: Tyson Fury

gtfo. Beat wlad, Cunningham, hammer, chisora. Didn’t lose on any judges card. even if he is a fat cokehead, no way hes worse than Charles martin.

He said "no title defences", not "no successful title defences". Fury may be the only heavyweight champion of the 21st century who never defended his title.

[greg]

..I actually thought Valuev was not that bad considering his huge size and other handicaps.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Kind of ironic the beloved vitali never beat anyone good enough to make this list. I'll go Parker.

[Kalan]

..I actually thought Valuev was not that bad considering his huge size and other handicaps.

That was an asset... A 6'4" Valuev would be a sitting duck for anybody... He had no jab or defense, but he could absorb punches easily and hit with power because of his huge size... I've never seen a bigger head except on Andre the Giant -- Valuev was so fukkin' ugly he made Andre look handsome.

[KiwiRider]

Worst heavyweight champ with no title defenses: Tyson Fury

gtfo. Beat wlad, Cunningham, hammer, chisora. Didn’t lose on any judges card. even if he is a fat cokehead, no way hes worse than Charles martin.

He said "no title defences", not "no successful title defences". Fury may be the only heavyweight champion of the 21st century who never defended his title.

Wow. I never thought of that. Tyson Fury was HW champion and lineal champ, and never defended. You would have to go a fair way back to beat that. Way past my boxing knowledge. Anyone know?

[RScarf1]

gtfo. Beat wlad, Cunningham, hammer, chisora. Didn’t lose on any judges card. even if he is a fat cokehead, no way hes worse than Charles martin.

He said "no title defences", not "no successful title defences". Fury may be the only heavyweight champion of the 21st century who never defended his title.

Wow. I never thought of that. Tyson Fury was HW champion and lineal champ, and never defended. You would have to go a fair way back to beat that. Way past my boxing knowledge. Anyone know?

Marvin Hart won the universally recognized heavyweight championship by knocking out Jack Root in 1905. Hart lost in his first title defense to Tommy Burns in 1906. Hart had a title defense, but lost it, so it's different from Fury's career. The fights are not listed as world championships on Hart's boxrec record. I don't think there is an exact situation in boxing history like Tyson Fury unless it was for one belt and not a unified champion. I could not find any instances of this with the major sanctioning bodies.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Roy jones

[RScarf1]

Roy jones

You're right. Jones won the WBA heavyweight title from John Ruiz, but never defended it. Jones returned to the light heavyweight division.

[jamamb]

..I actually thought Valuev was not that bad considering his huge size and other handicaps.

at times he could actually box okay. decent jab. he was always slow but i swear he got way slower near end of his career. maybe something related to his condition. if you watch him shutout not totally shot lyakhovich and even in losing to chagaev he performs like a boxer, not just some giant with gloves on.

[KiwiRider]

Roy jones

Thank You!