Most Feared Fighter in Boxing History

[X]

Joe Louis was a young phenomenon, a punching machine who absolutely terrified his opponents. He cleaned out the heavyweight division of three generations of fighters ........ any fighter who reigns undisputed for 24 (ish) years but who also wants to fight and defend his title every 6 weeks is going to end up fighting some inferior guys who may be called 'bums'.

Louis' opponents were reduced to wrecks by the time the first bell sounded - Johnny Paycheck, King Levinsky etc are classic examples. Max Baer took a count and then said "Ringside seats were $500, people will have to pay more than that to see the execution of Max Baer"

To me, if anyone does not know this, or the effect, impact and legacy Joe Louis left - they really should study up on it.

Tyson was the next most feared guy and its only normal that our generation remembers his actual real-time effect and what it felt like at the time of his peak. (That's why younger people are revisionist about Tyson, its because they dont remember the late 80s and early 90s .... they only saw the shadow that Tyson was later on.

Louis was a phenonenon like Tiger Woods is today - it's just that we dont remember.

[TheChosenOne]

mike tyson. he made spinks look like a school girl

sonny liston is a close second and forman would be 3rd IMO

[Scrap]

With Liston you were scared being in the same street never mind the same Ring

[El Kabong]

BIG George Foreman!

[Chino]

I think some people are mentioning fighters who look scary but I think the question was who was the most feared meaning boxers avoiding getting in the ring with them, taking a dive to prevent further damage, etc.

[El Kabong]

....I don't think Joe Frazier took a dive because if he did he wouldn't have gotten up the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd time.


Joe Louis was a good mention he had great power...Chris' quote is from Max Baer

[jmbtandy]

Liston Took A Dive And Ali Hasn't Got 1 Vote Yet

[DaxxKahn]

A prime Tyson pre first prison stint or even the Tyson right after his first Prison Stint, I really can bnot name another fighter in the history of the sport that made soo many top level fighters afraid before the bell rang,

Tyson beat more men before the bell than anyone else to lace up the gloves

[wesrman]

Tyson

[Beanflicker]

I'd have to go with Tyson and Louis. Both guys not only who had pure dynamite in both hands, but were FAST as lightning. That King Levinsky fella was scared as hell to get into the ring with Louis, I think his corner had to carry him to the ring.

[TitoFan]

I could've just as easily voted Tyson, but something made me vote for Foreman. Fear, I think.

[rjj tszyu]

George Foreman. It has to be. I know Tyson was feared for his lethal power as was Liston but all due respect they were not smacking the likes of Frazier and Norton and so on all over the ring, I mean the man was punching phenomenon that frightened the shit out of everyone back in the 70s whether they were boxers or not. Colin Hart said that Foreman once said to him during a press conference "Put that fucking cigarette out or I'll put you out" and that was the most frightening moment of his life. And then there is when he was set to fight Ali and everyone was fearing for Alis life.

The Only reason he isn't winning this poll IMO is that he came back as the big friendly man that we all know today in the 80s rather than the nasty swine of the 70s.

[TheChosenOne]

George Foreman. It has to be. I know Tyson was feared for his lethal power as was Liston but all due respect they were not smacking the likes of Frazier and Norton and so on all over the ring, I mean the man was punching phenomenon that frightened the shit out of everyone back in the 70s whether they were boxers or not. Colin Hart said that Foreman once said to him during a press conference "Put that fucking cigarette out or I'll put you out" and that was the most frightening moment of his life. And then there is when he was set to fight Ali and everyone was fearing for Alis life.

The Only reason he isn't winning this poll IMO is that he came back as the big friendly man that we all know today in the 80s rather than the nasty swine of the 70s.

he could break a punching bag in 30 mins

takes most people years and years

[Hulk]

Mike Tyson won more fights on sheer intimidation than any other fighter I can remember.

[miron_lang]

George Foreman

ken Norton and Joe Frazier > all tyson's victim


Buster Douglas didnt got scared and Ali is the greatest


JMO