Top 5 ATG HW fighters! Take your picks!

[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

[Dark Lord Al]

No order.

Tyson Fury.
Kevin Johnson.
Hughie Fury.
Steve Cunningham.
Derrick Chisora.

[tysonesque]

No order.

Tyson Fury.
Kevin Johnson.
Hughie Fury.
Steve Cunningham.
Derrick Chisora.

How do you expect people to take you seriously when you haven't got Audley Harrison in there?

You know nothing!

[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.

[hmmfe]

In chronologic order:

Jack Johnson
Joe Louis
Rocco Marchegiano
Muhammad Ali
Larry Holmes

There are three that are no-brainers and two that are personal choice. I can see adding any of the following (I'm probably missing a few) as the other two: Jim Jeffries, Gene Tunney, Jack Dempsey, Sonny Liston, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis.

[Freedom]

Rocky Marciano (49-0) is clearly #1.

I have Joe Louis at #2.

Muhammed Ali is overrated by many, they don't take his numerous gift decisions into consideration and overrate the era he fought in. But he's still in the top 5. I'd place him at #3.

Wladimir Klitschko (underrated by many) is #4, while Lennox Lewis rounds out my top 5.

I'd have Larry Holmes in the top ten at about #6. Jack Johnson is somewhere closer to #10. Dempsey is overrated and not in my top ten.

[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?

[Bill Paxtom]

Commander Master

My list goes by >
* Historical Impact
* Public Recognition {While holding the Crown}
* Talent
* Time Period {Era}
* Competition
* Rating of the Reign
* Controversy
* Record
* Avoiding Challengers
* Activity
* Overall Record
* Public Recognition {Before capturing the Crown}
* Public Recognition {Immediately after losing or vacating the Crown}
* Public Recognition {After career is over}

[ruthless rocco]

Ali
Ali
Ali
Ali
Cassius