Ranking the HW champs

[El Kabong]

Ali said he was the greatest....Joe Louis' record PROVES he's the greatest 25 consecutive successful title defenses a feat not matched by anyone else. Rocky Marciano deserves a mention as he was undefeated.

History will judge the Klitschko's the same as it has judged everyone else. People will overrate them and people will underrate them. The fact is they have both been very dominant champions and that is something that cannot be debated. People love to bring up their losses like no other heavyweight champion ever had a loss before, I guess getting KO'd by Corrie Sanders is WORSE than getting KO'd by Buster Douglas or Hasim Rahman or Oliver McCall or whoever. 2 losses, 3 losses....not many considering Ali has 5 losses, Lennox Lewis has 2 and a draw, Larry Holmes has 6, Mike Tyson has 6, Holyfield has 10, Jack Johnson had 11 and 8 draws, Patterson had 8, Joe Louis had 3, Frazier had 4, Foreman had 5, Dempsey had 6 and 9 draws......boxers lose, it happens...but to be able to rebound and become so dominant is impressive. Other fighters have an idea that they CAN beat you but implementing a fight plan to get that result has become very difficult.

You look at Joe Louis...he lost to Max Schmelling in 1936 and he was pretty much just picked apart to the point where he looked average. Recovering from that Joe Louis didn't lose another match until 1950....that makes Louis' run of 25 consecutive successful title defenses that much more impressive.

[Bo-Bo24]

What would you say was Wlad's greatest win? I think he's got a good record and as a fighter would be competitive in any era but he doesn't have the staple win like lots of greats have.

[El Kabong]

What would you say was Wlad's greatest win? I think he's got a good record and as a fighter would be competitive in any era but he doesn't have the staple win like lots of greats have.

He hasn't had "battles" or "wars" in the ring but his record is not devoid of clout. Undefeated Sam Peter (and the rematch), Ruslan Chagaev, Sultan Ibragimov, Chris Byrd x2, Lemon Brewster rematch...he's beaten some very good boxers.

[beenKOed]

What would you say was Wlad's greatest win? I think he's got a good record and as a fighter would be competitive in any era but he doesn't have the staple win like lots of greats have.

He hasn't had "battles" or "wars" in the ring but his record is not devoid of clout. Undefeated Sam Peter (and the rematch), Ruslan Chagaev, Sultan Ibragimov, Chris Byrd x2, Lemon Brewster rematch...he's beaten some very good boxers.

Anyone except Chris Byrd, I know I'm alone here but he always reminded me of a very smart monkey imitating a boxer. Yes, I know, he had some good wins but it was hard for me to watch him, I can't help it.

[El Kabong]

Lewis is better than either Klit. He beat Tua, Golota, Holyfield, Bruno, Ruddock, Morrison, and Briggs.

And those guys really weren't around for either brother to fight prime v prime soooo yeah. I mean yes the opportunities other fighters had maybe with a deeper division albeit with fighters who ran just as hot & cold as anyone in today's division may have been better before the Klitschko's but you can't knock the guys for fighting and beating everyone they can in this current division. It still takes talent and focus to win...a little slip here or there could be the difference between another win and a humiliating defeat.

I think Lennox Lewis' career really helped both brothers because they saw how he recovered from the McCall loss to achieve great things and also how he got a little complacent and got beat by Rahman, but then turned around and gave one of his most impressive victories in the rematch.

Anyone except Chris Byrd, I know I'm alone here but he always reminded me of a very smart monkey imitating a boxer. Yes, I know, he had some good wins but it was hard for me to watch him, I can't help it.

Byrd was unorthodox as a fighter especially as a heavyweight. He focused on the sweet science, hit and don't get hit. He was very talented and difficult to catch clean for anyone. He was one of the best title holders next to the Klitschko's after Lewis' retirement. He defended his title very well and was never afraid of a match...Tua, Ibeabuchi, Vitali, Wlad....he fought anyone even the really dangerous fighters. He wasn't great to watch because he was never going to KO anyone, but I appreciated his skills.

[Beanflicker]

I think Byrd is severely underrated. A lot of guys didn't want to get in the ring with him.

[El Kabong]

I think Byrd is severely underrated. A lot of guys didn't want to get in the ring with him.

Before going back down in weight which really hurt his ability to take a punch Chris only got stopped by the very biggest punchers who had the means to deliver their blows with accuracy. He was a very slick fighter and I agree, he's criminally underrated...a prime Chris Byrd these days would have no qualms about fighting a Deontay Wilder or Bermane Stiverne...in fact in his pomp he would have probably beaten those guys.

[Master]

Ali said he was the greatest....Joe Louis' record PROVES he's the greatest 25 consecutive successful title defenses a feat not matched by anyone else. Rocky Marciano deserves a mention as he was undefeated.

You look at Joe Louis...he lost to Max Schmelling in 1936 and he was pretty much just picked apart to the point where he looked average. Recovering from that Joe Louis didn't lose another match until 1950....that makes Louis' run of 25 consecutive successful title defenses that much more impressive.

Ali did more than just say he was the greatest, he beat great fighters and champions.

[VG_Addict]

Lewis is better than either Klit. He beat Tua, Golota, Holyfield, Bruno, Ruddock, Morrison, and Briggs.