Top 10 greatest heavyweights of all time!!!

[porkypara]

This is a thread I have posted a few times in the past and it has always sparked a good debate.

Take the term greatest HW any way you want.

My list

1. Ali
2. Louis
3. Holmes
4. Lewis
5. Holyfield
6. Jack Johnson
7. Liston/Fraizer
8. Tyson
9. Marciano
10. Foreman

I have made my list on a p4p baces due to the fact that HW boxers have increased in size A LOT over the decades.

[jdonaher1]

here's mine

1. MUHAMMAD ALI - The most gifted HW ever and fought the best completion of anybody on this list

2. JOE LOUIS - The most complete puncher in HW history

3. JACK JOHNSON - Greatest defensive HW in history, 50 years ahead of his time.

4. LARRY HOLMES - Most underrated HW ever and a almost perfect jab

5. EVANDER HOLYFIELD - Most over achieving HW in history, will to win was amazing

6. GEORGE FOREMAN - Probably the most unique HW because of his 2 separate careers, separated by 10 years

7. ROCKY MARCIANO - To me one of the most overrated HW, fought absolutely nobody in his prime but not too many HW do

8. JOE FRAZIER - He was beat Ali clearly and was life and death with him in the 3rd fight, has to count for something.

9. LENNOX LEWIS - The first true big man HW but was hurt by not getting earlier fights with Tyson, Bowe & Holyfield.

10. MIKE TYSON - Next to Liston the most feared HW ever and probably the biggest disappointment. He could have topped this list.

[DaxxKahn]

here's mine

1. MUHAMMAD ALI - The most gifted HW ever and fought the best completion of anybody on this list

2. JOE LOUIS - The most complete puncher in HW history

3. JACK JOHNSON - Greatest defensive HW in history, 50 years ahead of his time.

4. LARRY HOLMES - Most underrated HW ever and a almost perfect jab

5. EVANDER HOLYFIELD - Most over achieving HW in history, will to win was amazing

6. GEORGE FOREMAN - Probably the most unique HW because of his 2 separate careers, separated by 10 years

7. ROCKY MARCIANO - To me one of the most overrated HW, fought absolutely nobody in his prime but not too many HW do

8. JOE FRAZIER - He was beat Ali clearly and was life and death with him in the 3rd fight, has to count for something.

9. LENNOX LEWIS - The first true big man HW but was hurt by not getting earlier fights with Tyson, Bowe & Holyfield.

10. MIKE TYSON - Next to Liston the most feared HW ever and probably the biggest disappointment. He could have topped this list.

Lewis at #9? Good reasoning at why he is one the list and fair point on why he is where you put him but #9?...LL fought and beat everyone there was to beat....He is/was one of the most dominate champions of all time...LL ruined a lot of heavyweights when he faced them and put them on the second shelf so to speak....He also had an under rated chin....Agree with the Marciano view....We agree on Johnson 100%....Not sure why you did not include Liston but I stated in my other post why I don't include him though it takes nothing away from the fact he is an ATG just not top 10......And yes for sure Tyson could have been the greatest of all time without even a debate if he did not let everything else blow his career out for him by his outside lifestyle

[jdonaher1]

here's mine

1. MUHAMMAD ALI - The most gifted HW ever and fought the best completion of anybody on this list

2. JOE LOUIS - The most complete puncher in HW history

3. JACK JOHNSON - Greatest defensive HW in history, 50 years ahead of his time.

4. LARRY HOLMES - Most underrated HW ever and a almost perfect jab

5. EVANDER HOLYFIELD - Most over achieving HW in history, will to win was amazing

6. GEORGE FOREMAN - Probably the most unique HW because of his 2 separate careers, separated by 10 years

7. ROCKY MARCIANO - To me one of the most overrated HW, fought absolutely nobody in his prime but not too many HW do

8. JOE FRAZIER - He was beat Ali clearly and was life and death with him in the 3rd fight, has to count for something.

9. LENNOX LEWIS - The first true big man HW but was hurt by not getting earlier fights with Tyson, Bowe & Holyfield.

10. MIKE TYSON - Next to Liston the most feared HW ever and probably the biggest disappointment. He could have topped this list.

Lewis at #9? Good reasoning at why he is one the list and fair point on why he is where you put him but #9?...LL fought and beat everyone there was to beat....He is/was one of the most dominate champions of all time...LL ruined a lot of heavyweights when he faced them and put them on the second shelf so to speak....He also had an under rated chin....Agree with the Marciano view....We agree on Johnson 100%....Not sure why you did not include Liston but I stated in my other post why I don't include him though it takes nothing away from the fact he is an ATG just not top 10......And yes for sure Tyson could have been the greatest of all time without even a debate if he did not let everything else blow his career out for him by his outside lifestyle

I'm a big LL fan myself (fellow Canadian that he sort of was). My biggest problem was he just fought so timid sometimes. There's no way Tyson should have lasted 8 rounds. He should have been out of there in 3 to 4. He was so gifted as a boxer that if he had just stepped on the gas pedal every now and then he could have been higher on my list.

[DaxxKahn]

Good list pretty close to what I would have should I say who I would have on mine but I would switch some spots....I would put Johnson in Holmes place...JJ fought so long ago that a lot of footage is not available to view but the footage I have seen really puts him in a new light....He was fighting like a modern day HW when everyone else was fighting the old style of just punch and take a punch....Jack was fast and he hit hard...He had great defence....Truly an impressive man for the era....Could not imagine what a modern day JJ would do.....Liston is over rated in truth....His biggest claim to fame was his intimidation factor....He really did not reign as champion for long...His biggest wins were over Floyd Patterson a man many people include in their top 10 and rightfully so....These are so subjective as we all know but good list

[jdonaher1]

Good list pretty close to what I would have should I say who I would have on mine but I would switch some spots....I would put Johnson in Holmes place...JJ fought so long ago that a lot of footage is not available to view but the footage I have seen really puts him in a new light....He was fighting like a modern day HW when everyone else was fighting the old style of just punch and take a punch....Jack was fast and he hit hard...He had great defence....Truly an impressive man for the era....Could not imagine what a modern day JJ would do.....Liston is over rated in truth....His biggest claim to fame was his intimidation factor....He really did not reign as champion for long...His biggest wins were over Floyd Patterson a man many people include in their top 10 and rightfully so....These are so subjective as we all know but good list

I agree. I never bought it that Liston was a top 10 HW. He was so non-competative vs. Clay (Ali) in both fight; quit the 1st one and (probably) took a dive in the 2nd. Say what you want about Tyson but he took his ass whoppin's like a man vs. Lewis & Holyfield.

[DaxxKahn]

Good list pretty close to what I would have should I say who I would have on mine but I would switch some spots....I would put Johnson in Holmes place...JJ fought so long ago that a lot of footage is not available to view but the footage I have seen really puts him in a new light....He was fighting like a modern day HW when everyone else was fighting the old style of just punch and take a punch....Jack was fast and he hit hard...He had great defence....Truly an impressive man for the era....Could not imagine what a modern day JJ would do.....Liston is over rated in truth....His biggest claim to fame was his intimidation factor....He really did not reign as champion for long...His biggest wins were over Floyd Patterson a man many people include in their top 10 and rightfully so....These are so subjective as we all know but good list

I agree. I never bought it that Liston was a top 10 HW. He was so non-competative vs. Clay (Ali) in both fight; quit the 1st one and (probably) took a dive in the 2nd. Say what you want about Tyson but he took his ass whoppin's like a man vs. Lewis & Holyfield.

For sure he did....In fact IMO the Lewis fight though Tyson was not the fighter he was in his prime and though Tyson was not in the greatest of shape....Said himself in the ring after the bout ended that Lewis caught him early in the stomach and he could not fully recover from it...Think it was rd 2 he said and he kept on til round 8 when he folded after some big big shots.....Holyfield beat Mike at his own game...Mike was a dirty fighter with elbows etc....Then again Ali was one of the dirtiest in the history of the sport so can't blast Mike for that....But Holyfield is and always has been a dirty fighter who leads with his head and uses it on the inside to push against his opponents faces.....Mikes mental make up is what hurt him he could have had a 5 yr run from 88-93 retired and been at or near the top odf the list with the way he jsyt steam rolled guys....But he allowed his lifestyle to cause him losses against inferior fighters....

Oh and prison of course

[porkypara]

Good list pretty close to what I would have should I say who I would have on mine but I would switch some spots....I would put Johnson in Holmes place...JJ fought so long ago that a lot of footage is not available to view but the footage I have seen really puts him in a new light....He was fighting like a modern day HW when everyone else was fighting the old style of just punch and take a punch....Jack was fast and he hit hard...He had great defence....Truly an impressive man for the era....Could not imagine what a modern day JJ would do.....Liston is over rated in truth....His biggest claim to fame was his intimidation factor....He really did not reign as champion for long...His biggest wins were over Floyd Patterson a man many people include in their top 10 and rightfully so....These are so subjective as we all know but good list

Listons most well known fights were against Ali and that is what most people judge him on.

However he was the best HW in the world a number of years before he won the title.He also had good wins against Cleveland Williams,Zora Folly and Eddie Machen.

When Ali was stripped of the title Liston was considered the best in the world after Ali but they would not give him the chance to become champion again after the two Ali fight farces.

[DaxxKahn]

Good list pretty close to what I would have should I say who I would have on mine but I would switch some spots....I would put Johnson in Holmes place...JJ fought so long ago that a lot of footage is not available to view but the footage I have seen really puts him in a new light....He was fighting like a modern day HW when everyone else was fighting the old style of just punch and take a punch....Jack was fast and he hit hard...He had great defence....Truly an impressive man for the era....Could not imagine what a modern day JJ would do.....Liston is over rated in truth....His biggest claim to fame was his intimidation factor....He really did not reign as champion for long...His biggest wins were over Floyd Patterson a man many people include in their top 10 and rightfully so....These are so subjective as we all know but good list

Listons most well known fights were against Ali and that is what most people judge him on.

However he was the best HW in the world a number of years before he won the title.He also had good wins against Cleveland Williams,Zora Folly and Eddie Machen.

When Ali was stripped of the title Liston was considered the best in the world after Ali but they would not give him the chance to become champion again after the two Ali fight farces.

I know what you are saying mate but it is just that there are so many other guy out there who have better resumes and accomplished more then Sonny....I wasn't trying to imply Sonny was a bum just that other guys had longer reigns more impressive resume etc....

[The Fightfan]

1. Marciano - the record speaks for itself - nonstop punching and tremendous heart.
2. Louis - Simply awesome.
3. Holmes - the most underrated HW ever. A complete package and the finest left jab's ever.
4. Ali - the most overrated HW of all time in my mind. Many contraversial desicions just given to him.
5. Foreman - Powerful sonofabitch
6. Dempsey - an animal
7. Frazier - not stop workman.
8. Holyfield - David vs. Goliath mentality always loved his fight's.
9. Lewis - As he got older his skills were amazing and could give anyone above him on this list a licking.
10. Tyson - An awesome talent in his youth but f**ked it all up as soon as he signed with Don King.

[DaxxKahn]

1. Marciano - the record speaks for itself - nonstop punching and tremendous heart.
2. Louis - Simply awesome.
3. Holmes - the most underrated HW ever. A complete package and the finest left jab's ever.
4. Ali - the most overrated HW of all time in my mind. Many contraversial desicions just given to him.
5. Foreman - Powerful sonofabitch
6. Dempsey - an animal
7. Frazier - not stop workman.
8. Holyfield - David vs. Goliath mentality always loved his fight's.
9. Lewis - As he got older his skills were amazing and could give anyone above him on this list a licking.
10. Tyson - An awesome talent in his youth but f**ked it all up as soon as he signed with Don King.

Marciano at #1??....Moore, Charles and Walcott are the biggest names on his resume (Please we can not include Louis he was waayyyy past it and the one meaningful fight he had in the 7 years prior to fighting Rocky was a loss to Charles).....Can't see how Marciano possibly could be rated above Louis, Holmes, Ali, Lewis, Johnson, Dempsey, Frazier, Foreman...

[jdonaher1]

1. Marciano - the record speaks for itself - nonstop punching and tremendous heart.
2. Louis - Simply awesome.
3. Holmes - the most underrated HW ever. A complete package and the finest left jab's ever.
4. Ali - the most overrated HW of all time in my mind. Many contraversial desicions just given to him.
5. Foreman - Powerful sonofabitch
6. Dempsey - an animal
7. Frazier - not stop workman.
8. Holyfield - David vs. Goliath mentality always loved his fight's.
9. Lewis - As he got older his skills were amazing and could give anyone above him on this list a licking.
10. Tyson - An awesome talent in his youth but f**ked it all up as soon as he signed with Don King.

yeah no way I can go with Rocky at #1. Louis, Walcott, Charles & Moorer were all WAY past there prime when he beat them. He just doesn't have the resume to justify that postion. Being undefeated vs. low grade competion doesn't do much for me.

[porkypara]

1. Marciano - the record speaks for itself - nonstop punching and tremendous heart.
2. Louis - Simply awesome.
3. Holmes - the most underrated HW ever. A complete package and the finest left jab's ever.
4. Ali - the most overrated HW of all time in my mind. Many contraversial desicions just given to him.
5. Foreman - Powerful sonofabitch
6. Dempsey - an animal
7. Frazier - not stop workman.
8. Holyfield - David vs. Goliath mentality always loved his fight's.
9. Lewis - As he got older his skills were amazing and could give anyone above him on this list a licking.
10. Tyson - An awesome talent in his youth but f**ked it all up as soon as he signed with Don King.

I dont see how you can say Marcianos record speaks for its self when in fact the record is a bit of a smoke screen when you look at it a bit closer.

Then you go on to say that Ali was overrated.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

Top 10 Heavyweight Champions:

1. Joe Louis
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Rocky Marciano
4. Larry Holmes
5. Lennox Lewis
6. Jack Johnson
7. George Foreman
8. Joe Friazer
9. Evander Holyfield
10. Mike Tyson



Top 10 Heavyweight Boxers
(i.e, if you put all the heavyweights up against each other, who'd prove to be the hardest to beat... best outta 5! )

1. Lennox Lewis
2. Vitali Klitschko
3. Wladimir Klitschko
4. Muhammad Ali
5. Larry Holmes
6. Evander Holyfield
7. George Foreman
8. Mike Tyson
9. Joe Louis
10. Joe Fraizer

[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