Top 5 ATG HW fighters! Take your picks!

[brocktonblockbust]

Rocky Marciano
Jack Dempsey
Joe Louis
Jack Johnson
Muhammad Ali

[Primo Carnera]

In no particular order , and I'm sure many will disagree:
Ali - Say no more.
Louis - Dominated for so long.
Holmes - Again, was no.1 for a long time.
Tyson - At his peak and at a very young age, not only did he dominate , but he had grown men beat before they even stepped in the ring.
Marciano - as they say nowadays, nobody had the Blueprint! People can say what they like about size or quality, but as he never lost, we don't know what his limits would be.

[Bill Paxtom]

Rocky Marciano > Could be the greatest, but not the most skilled.
Jack Dempsey > The most vicious puncher from the early days. A fan favorite.
Joe Louis > A perfect fighting machine.
Jack Johnson > The most flamboyant Heavyweight Champion ever.
Muhammad Ali > The best entertaining Heavyweight 'showman'.

I wouldn't put Muhammad Ali in the Top 5, or over Larry Holmes.

[Beanflicker]

Ali, Holmes, Tyson, Lewis, Louis.

[mikeeod]

1. Ali
2. Louis
3. Holyfield
4. Holmes
5. Lewis

[Bill Paxtom]

1. Ali
2. Louis
3. Holyfield
4. Holmes
5. Lewis

Larry Holmes would have beaten Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali anytime they fought,
while in the Prime phase of their careers.

[tysonesque]

In no particular order:-

Ali
Tyson
Holyfield
Marciano
Louis

[mikeeod]

1. Ali
2. Louis
3. Holyfield
4. Holmes
5. Lewis

Larry Holmes would have beaten Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali anytime they fought,
while in the Prime phase of their careers.

I don't necessarily disagree with you on your point, but I think it's two separate conversations/discussions. There is a difference between greatness and who would win a fight, in my opinion. Ali beat the best available competition and transcended the sport like no other fighter in history. Holmes was a great champ, but he never really transcended, never unified and never really beat that signature threat (Think Ali vs Liston, Frazier and Foreman). I personally think Larry had all the tools to beat any heavyweight (Riddick Bowe did also in my opinion) on his best night, but I can't place him higher than the others in terms of greatness based on his accomplishments.

[Master]

Ali, Holmes, Tyson, Lewis, Louis.

This is my list also, Bill what is yours I could do with a laugh?

[Bill Paxtom]

Ali, Holmes, Tyson, Lewis, Louis.

This is my list also, Bill what is yours I could do with a laugh?

I think that you are being disrespectful by not using full names.

Are we going by the 'Best by Era' or 'Best by Skills' or 'Dominance'.

Go see .......... Rudi Lubbers before you put Muhammad Ali at #1.

[Master]

Ali, Holmes, Tyson, Lewis, Louis.

This is my list also, Bill what is yours I could do with a laugh?

I think that you are being disrespectful by not using full names.

Are we going by the 'Best by Era' or 'Best by Skills' or 'Dominance'.

Go see .......... Rudi Lubbers before you put Muhammad Ali at #1.

Sorry Mr Bill Paxtom, I thought we were friends now. What is your top 5?