Quote Originally Posted by SeanE
Quote Originally Posted by Bilbo
You know although I definitely have ideas about where each ranks on a p4p basis and would rate most of the champions forever guys higher, although Holmes would be in in place of Norton, if two of either era met in the rank, man I really don't know who would win.

Ali is the best heavyweight ever no question, but faced with Lennox Lewis, who was almost as skilful a boxer than him with the advantage of size and a longer jab I really don't know who would win.

Lennox's only defeat came when he was underprepared against non threats and was caught with a punch, a la Ali Cooper. He didn't have the chin that Ali had though, but like Ali against genuine opposition, Tyson, Holyfield, Ruddock, Tucker and early in his career against Gary Mason for example, in the big important fights he excelled.

Against Ali he would have been in the best condition mentally and physically of his life and so his two losses to weak opposition would be irrelevent.

It would be a pick'em fight, and maybe I'd lean towards Lewis even.

Likewise Hoylfield in his best would have taken Ali to the very brink, although I think Formean would overpower him.

I think Ali would have done a highlight reel job on Mike Tyson though, whilst I'd imagine Tyson would tear Norton apart and dimsantle Frazier.

Him and Foreman, I'd go with Big George.

George is one my top 4 heavies of all time but the young George I believe would have been taken apart by Lennox Lewis, although he'd have been too strong for Holyfield.

For the record Norton for me loses to Lewis and Tyson by KO. Him and Holyfield is a war though.
Was it you who posted that article a while back that talked about Tyson being scared to fight Foreman, even OLD Foreman? I wish I had saved a link to it. Basically it talking about how Tyson knew that Foreman was the worst nightmare for any swarmer and wanted no part of even an old George. I gotta agree. Matchups make fights and I don't think there is a swarmer that has ever lived who could beat Foreman. Too much raw strenght and 1-punch power.

Speaking of swarmers...Tyson, Foreman, and Marciano ----are those those the best three HW swarmers of all time? Anyone else even close?
Peter McNeely