16 October 2026
By Roger Kennedy
roger@TheCork.ie
Entertainment
At 6ft 9in, Tyson Fury is one of the tallest men ever to hold a world heavyweight title, and his size has shaped almost every fight he has had. When Anthony Joshua steps in with him, he will be giving away three inches in height, something anyone studying the Tyson Fury odds will factor in. Here is where Fury sits among the big men, and the small ones, who have ruled the division.
Fury’s size in numbers
Fury is listed at 6ft 9in, or 2.06m, with a reach of 85 inches. Joshua, himself tall by heavyweight standards, stands 6ft 6in with an 82-inch reach. What makes Fury unusual is how he moves at that height. Most fighters his size rely on a long jab and stay at range, while Fury switches stances, feints and slips punches like a much smaller man.
The only champion taller than Fury
Nikolai Valuev is the tallest world heavyweight champion on record. The Russian stood 7ft, or 2.13m, and won the WBA title in 2005 by beating John Ruiz, then held it again from 2008 to 2009. He relied on his size and strength rather than movement, which is where he and Fury differ most.
Valuev never held the lineal title, which means Fury is the tallest man to have been the recognised lineal heavyweight champion.
The modern big men
The past two decades have produced more giants than any other era. Vitali Klitschko and Deontay Wilder both stand 6ft 7in, and each built a reputation on punching power from long range. Wladimir Klitschko, who lost his titles to Fury in 2015, is 6ft 6in, the same as Joshua. Lennox Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champion before the four-belt era, measured 6ft 5in.
Fury was still the taller man in his fights against both Wladimir and Wilder, conceding height to almost nobody in his generation.
Giants of the early years
Height at heavyweight is not a modern idea. Jess Willard, at 6ft 6.5in, took the title from Jack Johnson in Havana in 1915 in a fight that went 26 rounds. Primo Carnera, the Italian who became champion in 1933, stood 6ft 5.5in and was billed as a giant in his day. Both men were huge for their time, yet Fury stands taller than either.
When the smaller man wins
Some of the most famous heavyweights were far shorter. Rocky Marciano retired unbeaten in 1956 at about 5ft 10in, with a reach of 68 inches. Mike Tyson, also around 5ft 10in, became the youngest heavyweight champion in history in 1986 and walked through much bigger opponents with speed and head movement. Tommy Burns, the shortest heavyweight champion at 5ft 7in, held the title in the early 1900s.
Muhammad Ali stood 6ft 3in, which now looks modest for a heavyweight. So does Oleksandr Usyk at the same height, yet Usyk is the only man to have beaten Fury, twice in 2024, despite giving away six inches.
Does height decide fights?
Height brings reach, leverage and the ability to lean on an opponent, all of which Fury uses. It is not the whole story, though, and Usyk proved that speed and footwork can close the gap. Anyone weighing the boxing odds on a heavyweight contest will look at size alongside power and stamina.
Against Joshua, Fury will again be the bigger man. History shows that size is an advantage, but it has never been a guarantee at heavyweight.
Betting is for over-18s only.