Top 10 greatest heavyweights of all time!!!

[El Kabong]

For those of you listing Dempsey and Tunney just realize that Dempsey (the first ever heavyweight champ draft dodger) made just a hand full of title defenses and Tunney only had 3 heavyweight fights.

Holyfield was inconsistent, but nevertheless persistent and won the title several times (but also lost it a lot)

Tyson peaked and plummeted fairly quickly, post prison he didn't even have any quality wins (maybe the Ruddock fights thought).

Bowe was prime for the blink of an eye

[uwey]

JOE HIPP. 10 times. Well atleast he got the best name. Greatest Native American fighter of all times. I think. Had to put him out there cause when I meet him he was a good guy. Very friendly.

[Spicoli]

Can't for the life of me ever put Tyson ahead of Holyfield on an all time list. No math class here...level of comp for me and outcome and unfolding. Spinks, comebacking and 1 fight in Holmes, Tubbs, Bruno, um...Tucker, Ruddock ? I'll take Holyfields era and facing the best available over Tysons list of belt warmers. Not to mention Holyfield beat & broke Tyson like a day old loaf of French bread when Holyfield was given zero shot to even finish on his feet.

Hate to disagree but Hoyfield was inconsistent after Bowe defeats, he lost to Moorer!

Inconsistent enough to beat Bowe in the rematch. Or tko Tyson a year after third Bowe fight? Moorer for all his short comings was in top form and working a fierce jab, again level of comp for me and really that fight was set to be called a draw if it were not for one judge (Roth) ruling the 2nd round 10-10....a round in which Moorer was cleanly knocked down. Moorer was destroyed in the rematch. When the best fight the best, its not all easy going. When Tyson fought the best post Ruddock...he lost. I'll spot you Bruno

[greynotsoold]

Does anybody at all, besides me, remember Holyfield/Bowe III? When Evander got Bowe hurt, totally gassed out, then got knocked dead out?

[generalbulldog]

1. Ali-Based on competition and accomplishment I have to put him up here, not to mentioned at 1 time he was arguably the most famous person in the world, not just athlete.
2. Louis-26 title defenses when there was only 1 title. Significant impact within American society also.
3. Holyfield-For a 3 year period from 89-92 when he was the HW king he looked very impressive and damn near unbeatable. Had good speed and power and fought every Tom, Dick, and Harry out there.
4. Foreman-In his prime was a little too wild, but he is arguably the most powerful puncher in HW history, not to mentioned he became oldest HW champ in history during his 2nd act.
5. Marciano-Undeafeated for his career, was still undersized even for his era, but his heart and guts got him through, not to mentioned very good power.
6. Holmes-Very skilled fighter with an awesome jab, too bad he came after Ali and was never given his due by the wider general public.
7. Lennox Lewis- Very good skills, beat every man inside that ring he even avenge his losses. Has an impressive resume with good size.
8. Joe Frazier-Had a lot of hearts and guts and that left hook was brutal, reigned as HW champ for a number of years, only defeated by 2 other atg HWs.
9. Mike Tyson-For that 3 year period looked invincible, had power and speed for a HW and an iron chin, the guy had every tool except for height and reach, could have been up there with Ali and Louis, but his weak mentality was his downfall.
10. Dempsey-Had a very significant impact on boxing history, really made it popular in the US at the time and destroyed almost every man he faced in that ring during his reign with ferocious tenacity.

That's my list and my personal opinion. So if you disagree then so be it and move along, I just don't feel like debating about it, for these kinds of list are very subjective.

[nikola_ganchev]

It is really interesting to me what do you understand under puncher? Formen was the biggest puncher! What does this mean? If he hits you on the guard you are dead or what? For me this makes no sence! Almost all of the guys on this lists can take one guys head off when they connect with the proper target! I want to say that it is not the power in the punches from Forman that is dangerous, but the accurasity and speed with which he delivers them. As Moore once said for himself he is not a power puncher but effective puncher. And Forman has lerned from the best in the business! Thats why Louis, Moore , Sandy Sadler, Forman and so on are labled for punchers, but i am not sure if they have the most power in the punches and i don't care. It is important that one can connect with the proper target!

[mikeysol]

[QUOTE=porkypara;934022]This is a thread I have posted a few times in the past and it has always sparked a good debate.

My Top 10 Greatest Heavyweights of All Time
List is based in their prime, heart, skill, power, chin. (Records are based on thru the age of 35) I consider anything beyond 36 yrs past prime
1. Louis 58-1 6'2" 207 76.5 Reach
2. Holmes 48-0 6'3" 218 81.0 Reach
3. Ali 56-2 6'3" 212 80.0 Reach
4. Foreman 45-2 6'3.5" 218 82.0 Reach
5. Holyfield 35-3 6'2.5" 210 78.0 Reach
6. Marciano 49-0 5'11" 187 67.0 Reach
7. Frazier 32-4 5'11.5" 206 73.0 Reach
8. Tunney 65-1 6'0" 185 76.0 Reach
9. Jack Johnson 38-5 6'1.5" 207 74.0 Reach
10. Dempsey 61-6 6'1" 192 77.0 Reach
I averaged these 10 boxers AVG: HT: 6'1.5" WT: 204 REACH: 76.5

[Mr140]

Greystone i may be wrong but i do believe that Holyfeild has suffered form heart problems since the Moore fight. I also think he had hep b as well but i need to find out were i read that from again.

[Mr140]

Also as for the list i kinda agree with spocil as i can not rate Tyson over Holyfeild. I feel his prime was just as good facing better comp. I also count his wins as well because Holyfeild was considered done.

[marbleheadmaui]

I give great weight to those who dominated eras.

1. Ali/Louis (pick one)
3. Jack Johnson
4. Jim Jeffries
5. Foreman
5. Marciano
6. Dempsey
7. Holmes
8. Liston
9. Frazier
10. Langford

[MonsonFan]

For those of you listing Dempsey and Tunney just realize that Dempsey (the first ever heavyweight champ draft dodger) made just a hand full of title defenses and Tunney only had 3 heavyweight fights.

Holyfield was inconsistent, but nevertheless persistent and won the title several times (but also lost it a lot)

Tyson peaked and plummeted fairly quickly, post prison he didn't even have any quality wins (maybe the Ruddock fights thought).

Bowe was prime for the blink of an eye

Greatness refers to far more than simply what happens inside the ropes, on the field, on the court, on the diamond. It incorporates how far-reaching and inspirational one has become. Greatest of all time lists consist of men who have transcended their sport and cemented themselves as legends.
1. Ali
2. Louis
3. Foreman
4. Johnson
5. Marciano
6. Dempsey
7. Frazier
8. Lewis
9. Holyfield
10 Tyson

[Mr140]

Marble i am confused you put Liston and you put weight on people who dominated eras. as for Langford never seen him fight at all and did he not lose most of big fights at heavy. I think Tyson and Holyfield both had a most dominate period as champs and both better wins then Liston did as well it seems you favor the old quite some as well nothing wrong with that. Quick question what would you rank the brothers since i can't think of time were a champ was as dominate as those guys are.