Oldest heavyweight champions in boxing history including George Foreman & Wladimir Klitschko

As rumours continue to circulate regarding Wladimir Klitschko's potential heavyweight return, we take a look at the oldest blue-riband division rulers in boxing history.

Unlike many other professional boxing weight classes, it's typically common for fighters well into their 30s to establish themselves as heavyweight world champions.

Of course, talented younger fighters can also capture blue-riband division gold, such as Mike Tyson, but the vast majority of heavyweight stars tend to hit their peak years after their 30th birthdays.

In fact, the oldest ever heavyweight title-holder was an incredible 46-years-old when he dropped the strap for the final time in 1995...

Who is the oldest heavyweight boxing champion?

George Foreman - 46 years, 5 months & 18 days

On of the most iconic names in boxing, the great George Foreman was 46 years and 169 days old when he opted to relinquish his IBF strap in June, 1995.

The American star became a two-time heavyweight ruler when he knocked out Michael Moorer to capture the IBF and WBA versions of the belt in 1994, at the age of 45, having made a sensational return to the ring after a 10-year spell of inactivity.

He handed over his WBA title though after opting not to make a mandatory defence of it in late '94, although he did put his IBF belt on the line in a successful showdown with Axel Schulz in Las Vegas the following year.

He was 46 years and 102 days of age when he beat the hard-hitting German before relinquishing that title too, just a month later.

Foreman finally brought the curtain down on his glittering professional career in 1997 on the back of a points defeat to Shannon Briggs - a result that ended his hopes of challenging for a third heavyweight crown.

Prior to his second coming, the charismatic Texan was, of course, the first man to inflict defeat upon great rival Joe Frazier when he landed his first heavyweight strap in 1973, before succumbing to his maiden defeat in the iconic 'Rumble in the Jungle' showdown with Muhammad Ali a year later.

A 1968 Olympic Gold medallist, Foreman officially retired from the professional fighting game in November 1997, just a few months shy of his 49th birthday, boasting 76 wins from 81 career fight.

Widely-recognised as one of the finest operators in the sport's history, Foreman also captured Olympic Gold at the 1968 Summer Games, further strengthening his credentials as one of the finest fighters to have ever graced the heavyweight stage.

Oldest Heavyweight Boxing Champions - Top 10

Who are the oldest heavyweight champions in boxing history?

1. George Foreman - 46 years, 5 months & 18 days
2. Vitali Klitschko - 42 years, 2 months & 26 days
3. Wladimir Klitschko - 39 years, 8 months & 3 days
4. Oleg Maskaev - 39 years & 6 days
5. Jersey Joe Walcott - 38 years, 7 months & 23 days
6. Lennox Lewis - 38 years, 5 months & 4 days
7. Evander Holyfield - 38 years, 4 months & 12 days
8. Oleksandr Usyk - 38 years & 26 days
9. Corrie Sanders - 38 years & 25 days
10. Muhammad Ali - 37 years, 9 months & 1 day

(Correct as of 12/02/2025)