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🏠Home📊Rankings🔍Search🏆Champions

Heavyweight Boxing Rankings - March 2001

Heavyweight rankings for March 2001. Change division or month to compare rankings.

Division
Period
Org
Note: Between September 1989 and November 2001 The Ring published contender rankings only (positions 1–10) and did not include a separate "champion" in its ratings.
Note: The WBC and IBF March 2001 rankings are not available.
RankWBAMarch 2001WBOMarch 2001RINGMarch 2001
🏆John RuizNEW
World Champion
Wladimir Klitschko
Champion
1
Vacant
Kirk Johnson+1Lennox Lewis
2Kirk JohnsonLarry Donald+1Mike Tyson
3Evander Holyfield-3Vitali Klitschko-2John RuizNEW
4Larry DonaldChris Byrd+1Kirk Johnson-1
5Mike TysonDavid Tua+4David Tua
6Vitali KlitschkoLance Whitaker+2Wladimir Klitschko
7David ToribioDanny Williams-3Evander Holyfield-3
8Henry AkinwandeDavid Izon-2Hasim Rahman+1
9David IzonFres OquendoNEWMount WhitakerNEW
10Lance WhitakerNEWRay Mercer+1Chris Byrd
11Friday AhunanyaNEWObed Sullivan+1
12Vaughn BeanEvander HolyfieldNEW
13Brian NielsenAurelio Perez
14Farug SaleemHasim Rahman+1
15Nikolai ValuevCliff Etienne-8

Source: WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, RING

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Month-over-month changes since February 2001

WBAMarch 2001 vs February 2001

🏆

There is a new World Champion: John Ruiz(previously Evander Holyfield)

Entered the top 10

  • Lance WhitakerEnters at #10

Dropped out of the top 10

  • Oleg MaskaevPreviously held #10

WBOMarch 2001 vs February 2001

Entered the top 10

  • Fres OquendoNow in the top 10 at #9
  • Ray MercerUp from #11 - now #10

Dropped out of the top 10

  • Cliff EtienneNow ranked #15
  • Derrick JeffersonPreviously held #10

Biggest risers

  • David TuaUp 4 places to #5
    +4
  • Lance WhitakerFrom #8 to #6
    +2
  • Kirk JohnsonFrom #2 to #1
    +1

Biggest fallers

  • Cliff EtienneDown 8 places to #15
    -8
  • Danny WilliamsNow #7 after being #4 last month
    -3
  • Vitali KlitschkoFrom #1 to #3
    -2

RINGMarch 2001 vs February 2001

Entered the top 10

  • John RuizNow in the top 10 at #3
  • Mount WhitakerNow in the top 10 at #9

Dropped out of the top 10

  • Oleg MaskaevPreviously held #7
  • Michael GrantOut of the top 10 after being #8

Biggest risers

  • Hasim RahmanFrom #9 to #8
    +1

Biggest fallers

  • Evander HolyfieldNow #7 after being #4 last month
    -3
  • Kirk JohnsonDown one place to #4
    -1

About the Heavyweight Division

Weight Limit: No upper limit (typically 200+ lbs / 90.7+ kg)

The Heavyweight division is boxing's most prestigious weight class, featuring the largest fighters in the sport. Historically, heavyweight champions have been among the most famous athletes in the world, with legendary figures like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson defining eras of boxing history.

Division Characteristics

Heavyweight boxers rely on power and size, with knockouts being more common than in lighter divisions. The division has no upper weight limit, allowing for a wide range of body types and fighting styles.

Notable Facts

The Heavyweight division has produced some of boxing's most iconic moments and biggest pay-per-view events. Modern heavyweights combine size, power, and athleticism in ways that previous generations couldn't match.

Historical Context

Heavyweight boxing has been a cornerstone of professional boxing since the sport's early days. The division has evolved significantly, with modern heavyweights being faster and more athletic than their predecessors while maintaining devastating power.

Learn more about how boxing rankings work or explore current world champions across all divisions.