View Full Version : Top 10 Heavyweights Of All Time


Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 12:03 PM
Everyone has their list of top ten heavyweights of all time here is mine. feel free to share yours also.


1)Muhammad Ali- It was amazing that a man of his physical size can move with such swiftness and agility. Was undefeated (30-0)when the title was wrongfully stripped from him in '67. Forced to stay out of boxing for three years, he went through ups and downs and 2 defeats to finally get another title shot at the age of 32 in 1974 and shocked the whole world by defeating the invincinble Big George Foreman. Two amazing title reigns and Ali was also the first man to win the Championship 3 times.

2)Joe Louis- The Brown Bomber was a deadly technician in the ring. During his title reign he faced anyone and anything that was put in front of him. Amazing number of title defenses(25!) and length of title reign.

3)George Foreman- In his early career Big George Foreman was a fighter that had the heavyweight division in fear, with an aura of invinciblity comparable to Tysons and Listons big George would have adversaries shaking in thier boots at the mention of his name. That is until he met Ali in '74. Big George was 42-0 when he lost to Ali. After the loss he went into a downward spiral that caused him to retire from boxing and becoming a preacher, didnt box for ten years. In 1988 Foreman came back with a drive to regain the heavyweight title again. And going through ups and downs he finally won back the title at the age of 45 in 1994 by KO against Michael Moorer. Amazingly regaining the title 20 years after losing it to Ali. Foreman is in the record books for the oldest man ever to win the championship at 45 years old, and also for having the 2nd highest knockout percentage in heavyweight history.

4. Rocky Marciano - The Rock was known for his amazing stamina in the ring like the energizer bunny you can keep beating him down but he just kept on coming. Incredible stamina, iron chin, unbeatable will to win, ability to knock you out with both hands, deadly body shots. What more can you ask for in a fighter. His 49-0 record still stands to this day.

5. Larry Holmes- The Easton Assassin was known for his lightning jab that was strong enough to knock you down. Holmes never got respect because unlike Ali he lacked an arch nemesis liek Ali had with Frazier, and he also ruled during a bleak period in heavyweight history. Spent 8 years as heavywieght Champ and went 48-0 before losing to Spinks almost tying Marciano's 49-0 record.

6. Joe Frazier- one word to describe him- relentless . Like Marciano you can throw everything at this guy and he'd still keep on coming. Owner of one of the deadliest left hooks in heavyweight history. The first man to beat Ali. His 3 dramatic fights with Ali made Smokin Joe Frazier a legend.

7. Lennox Lewis- During his title reign the British lion fought and defeated all the top heavyweights of his day including Holyfield and Tyson. Look at the list of all the fighters The British Lion has defeated and you'll see his place in history cannot be denied. Possessed one of the deadliest right hands in heavyweight history.

8.Evander Holyfield - Evander The Real Deal Holyfield is a man with incredible heart. Possesses one of the greatest chins of all time , this man didnt know the meaning of the word -quit. Proved the critics wrong time after time. Saying he wasnt big enough to be a Heavyweight he went on to win the title a record 4 times. His most dramtic win was when he defeated Iron Mike Tyson for the Title in 1996 when everyone wrote Holyfield off as a hasbeen.

9. Mike Tyson- Iron Mike Tyson's place in history is bittersweet to me because I feel had he stayed with trainer Kevin Rooney, Mike Tyson had the POTENTIAL to become the greatest Heavyweight Champ of all time. Everyone knows Tysons story. Tyson had incredible speed, incredible KO power, great finisher, a violent blood lust to destroy his opponent. Many of Tysons fight would not go past the 2nd round. During Tyson's 3 year reign of terror opponents feared Tyson so much that they would forget to fight back. With his black shoes no socks, black trunks, fade haircut and gym towel draped on his shoulders he had an aura of invincibility that the ring had never seen before or since. In 1988 this man was frightening, his 90 second annihilation of Michael Spinks and 4 round destruction of Larry Holmes truly made him the "Baddest man on the planet".

10. Jack Dempsey- the Monnassa Mauler- was a devestating force to be reckoned with back in his day. Knocked out Jess willard in violent fashion knocking Willards teeth out literally to win the Heavyweight Title,,,,and Dempsey was outweighed by Willard by more than 50 lbs!!!. Dempsey style was the prototype to Tyson, Tyson even borrowed Dempseys style of wearing black shoes, black shorts, fade haircut from Dempsey. Going for the knock out Dempsey could knock you out with either hand. Pure assassin


***special note - Jack Johnson is my #11. The reason I dont have him ranked higher is because he ruled in an old time era when heavyweights would fight middleweights and even welterweights. In fact Johnson himself fought many fights with many weight mismatches. Had Johnson ruled in a "Modernised Era" he would have placed higher on my list. With that being said I believe Johnson was extremely talented and can even defeat some of the men that rank higher in my list.***



Revised: 5/26/2007- Tyson has proved himself unworthy and is now replaced by James J. Braddock.

james J. Braddock is #9

drag0n_
12-09-2004, 12:49 PM
Great list... I'd agree with all of them. :)

Mr. Ryan
12-09-2004, 12:58 PM
1. Joe Louis, the man defended the title 25 times, short right hand was amazing.
2. Muhammad Ali, would've been number one if he didn't have that layoff.
3. Larry Holmes, just the embodiement of the heavyweight champion. A hard worker, always came to do it, defended the title 20 times, fought everyone.
4. Rocky Marciano, the only undefeated champ in history, tough as nails.
5. Ezzard Charles, tough, well schooled champ, went to hell and back with Marciano in a war.

jack_the_rippuh
12-09-2004, 01:03 PM
1.Ruiz
2.Byrd
3.Tyson
4.Louis
5.Lewis
6.Ali
7.Foreman
8.Marciano
9.W.Klitschko
10.Rahman

Yogi
12-09-2004, 01:07 PM
Great post, Johnny! :)

I've already posted my top 10 in that other thread, and although we have some differences in our rankings, it's obvious you've put a lot of thought behind yours.

Well done!

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 01:15 PM
Great post, Johnny! :)

I've already posted my top 10 in that other thread, and although we have some differences in our rankings, it's obvious you've put a lot of thought behind yours.

Well done!


yes sir I am a boxing fanatic. thought i might put this thread in here as well as the other place.

Mr. Ryan
12-09-2004, 01:18 PM
Ever stuck your d**k in a boxing glove? Then you're not a boxing fanatic.

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 01:22 PM
Ever stuck your d**k in a boxing glove? Then you're not a boxing fanatic.



I box if that's what you meant.

Mr. Ryan
12-09-2004, 01:25 PM
I box if that's what you meant.
No, I mean make love to a boxing glove because you love the sport so much.

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 01:30 PM
No, I mean make love to a boxing glove because you love the sport so much.





In that case no I am not a boxing fanatic. Mr. Swift's wee wee will never enter a sweaty, greasy, gym rotted, fungus encrusted, ass smelling boxing glove.

Mr. Ryan
12-09-2004, 01:31 PM
I'll tell you, I love the sport so much, I use hand wraps instead of condoms. You have to have the passion for the sport!

Mr. Ryan
12-09-2004, 01:32 PM
In that case no I am not a boxing fanatic. Mr. Swift's wee wee will never enter a sweaty, greasy, gym rotted, fungus encrusted, ass smelling boxing glove.
You lack the passion my good man. It's just not in you. :(

Yogi
12-09-2004, 01:34 PM
Ever stuck your d**k in a boxing glove? Then you're not a boxing fanatic.

Would...umm...you know...to Amy Hayes count as a reasonable substitute?

Mr. Ryan
12-09-2004, 01:35 PM
Would...umm...you know...to Amy Hayes count as a reasonable substitute?
If you use handwraps as condoms, that would be a start.

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 01:36 PM
You lack the passion my good man. It's just not in you. :(





It's not about whats in me....its whats about what can be in me....entering your Ram Stick into a bacteria filled boxing glove will surely give you the heebie geebies......life is hard enough with out having to deal with the cooties that will enter your one eyed cyclops by molesting a piece of sporting goods equipment.

Mr. Ryan
12-09-2004, 01:39 PM
entering your Ram Stick into a bacteria filled boxing glove will surely give you the heebie geebies.
That wouldn't be the worst place I've put him.

neils7147933
12-09-2004, 01:43 PM
A top 10 with Holyfield but not Jack Johnson? Come on...

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 02:16 PM
A top 10 with Holyfield but not Jack Johnson? Come on...




Jackson Johnson is my number 11

LuKahnLi
12-09-2004, 03:20 PM
Off the top of my head...

1- Ali
2- Louis
3- Holmes
4- Foreman
5- Marciano
6- Frazier
7- Holyfield
8- Jeffries
9- Dempsey
10- Lewis

Sidestep_1
12-09-2004, 03:26 PM
@ johnny swift

Your list is probably the best I´ve read in a boxing forum :) ! Cool descriptions of the fighters, and, moreover, I see it the same way ;) .

Nautilus
12-09-2004, 03:36 PM
There was a thread like this a month ago, two months ago, ... .

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 03:47 PM
There was a thread like this a month ago, two months ago, ... .


I wasnt here a month ago or two months.

BoxingPromoter
12-09-2004, 03:58 PM
Great topic J-Swift, we need more intellectual threads like this one. I would agree on everyone on the list exept Lennox Lewis. I would replace him with the first black heavyweight champion Jack Johnson. What number would you rank him?

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 04:01 PM
Great topic J-Swift, we need more intellectual threads like this one. I would agree on everyone on the list exept Lennox Lewis. I would replace him with the first black heavyweight champion Jack Johnson. What number would you rank him?



jack johnson is my #11

jack_the_rippuh
12-09-2004, 05:07 PM
I thought I was a fanatic, because I always hit *****es and I shadow-box in public..

Ivansmamma
12-09-2004, 05:17 PM
1. Ali
2. Louis
3. Foreman
4. Holmes
5. Marciano
6. Frazier
7. Liston
8. Holyfield
9. Tyson
10. Jack Johnson

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 05:42 PM
1. Ali
2. Louis
3. Foreman
4. Holmes
5. Marciano
6. Frazier
7. Liston
8. Holyfield
9. Tyson
10. Jack Johnson




thats almost like my list except for two fighters

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 07:44 PM
I thought I was a fanatic, because I always hit *****es and I shadow-box in public..




sounds like a fanatic to me

Dude
12-09-2004, 08:06 PM
1. Joe Louis
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Rocky Marciano
4. Larry Holmes
5. Jack Dempsey
6. George Foreman
7. Max Schmeling
8. Jack Johnson
9. Joe Frazier
10. Lennox Lewis

I don't think that Tyson should be in this Top 10 list because of the poor competition he had and his past his prime losses. Holyfield isn't even in my Top 20.

nadz
12-09-2004, 08:54 PM
1. Joe Louis
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Rocky Marciano
4. Larry Holmes
5. Jack Dempsey
6. George Foreman
7. Max Schmeling
8. Jack Johnson
9. Joe Frazier
10. Lennox Lewis

I don't think that Tyson should be in this Top 10 list because of the poor competition he had and his past his prime losses. Holyfield isn't even in my Top 20.
where is iron mike? we all know mike on his prime...

24karatrold
12-09-2004, 11:11 PM
1. Louis: 25 defenses, 68-3 record, best finisher ever
Lost va,uable years of prime to Army
2. Ali: 3-time champ,lost three years to draft case, best ever era, inconsistent training habits
3. Holmes: 13 defenses of linel title, comp better in retrospect, should have been two time champ but was robbed in Spinks Rematch
4. Foreman: Two time champ, trouble with boxers
5. Holyfield: Inconsistent but emerged as best during perhaps 2nd best era at heavy; 2-time lineal champ
6: Marciano: Undefeated but soft, small opposition
7: Johnson: Signigicant hisroically with great wins but losses to Marvin Hart and a KO loss to Joe Choynski
8: Dempsey: Big star ushered in modern era with aggressive style; better foes than cerdited for today
9: Lewis: 2-time lineal champ; beat solid but unspectacular foes; inconsistent
10: Jeffries: Beat top foes and retired undefeated before ill-fated comeback

scramwarrior
12-09-2004, 11:22 PM
1) Rocky Marciano
2) Muhammed Ali
3) George Foreman
4) Joe Louis
5) Jack Dempsey

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 11:34 PM
1. Louis: 25 defenses, 68-3 record, best finisher ever
Lost va,uable years of prime to Army
2. Ali: 3-time champ,lost three years to draft case, best ever era, inconsistent training habits
3. Holmes: 13 defenses of linel title, comp better in retrospect, should have been two time champ but was robbed in Spinks Rematch
4. Foreman: Two time champ, trouble with boxers
5. Holyfield: Inconsistent but emerged as best during perhaps 2nd best era at heavy; 2-time lineal champ
6: Marciano: Undefeated but soft, small opposition
7: Johnson: Signigicant hisroically with great wins but losses to Marvin Hart and a KO loss to Joe Choynski
8: Dempsey: Big star ushered in modern era with aggressive style; better foes than cerdited for today
9: Lewis: 2-time lineal champ; beat solid but unspectacular foes; inconsistent
10: Jeffries: Beat top foes and retired undefeated before ill-fated comeback



Yes Holmes was robbed in the rematch with Spinks: good point. I think at that point he pretty much pissed off the boxing establishment by saying after the first loss to Spinks,"Rocky Marciano couldn't carry my jockstrap" in reference to Marciano's 49-0 record that Larry came close to tying but failed. He said this after the first Spinks fight at the press conference where Marciano's brother was in attendance. After making that statement Larry pretty much black listed himself, and so the judges had it in for him in the rematch which in my humble opinion thought he won decisively. After Larry was robbed for the second fight, never one to spoil a moment said into the cameras " All these judges can kiss it where the sun don't shine, and since we on HBO that's my big black behind". Classic. :o

24karatrold
12-09-2004, 11:44 PM
Followed up a Tyson fight with wins over Mercer and tough go's with Holy and Mccall...Amazing fighter.

Mr. Violence
12-09-2004, 11:57 PM
Followed up a Tyson fight with wins over Mercer and tough go's with Holy and Mccall...Amazing fighter.


yes larry's place in history is solid, his greatness cannot be denied.

Hunna
12-10-2004, 12:03 AM
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, agree. But John Ruiz, top heavyweight ever, in that case people should have their opinion liberties taken away from them. No beef or bad vibe cuz. Peace out.

Mr. Violence
12-10-2004, 12:07 AM
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, agree. But John Ruiz, top heavyweight ever, in that case people should have their opinion liberties taken away from them. No beef or bad vibe cuz. Peace out.



i think the guy who had ruiz on his list as the top was just being sarcastic, i dont think he was being serious.

Hunna
12-10-2004, 12:13 AM
Thats a good question, one of the best question on this site yet. Even though the heavy. division is the prized division, it has had some poor performances of late. I can't make clear cut top 10, but could make recommendation about who should be in it.
(no specific order) Ali, Brown bomber, Larry Holmes, Marciano, Smoking Joe, George Foreman, Tyson. Still abit undecided.

24karatrold
12-10-2004, 12:37 AM
Don't forget Jeffries folks. Amazing record and as dominant in his day as any champion EVER

Mr. Violence
12-10-2004, 11:46 AM
Don't forget Jeffries folks. Amazing record and as dominant in his day as any champion EVER





his fault was returning

The1God
12-17-2004, 04:20 PM
Its kinda sad if you think about it. Had Evander retired After the Bowe Defeat, he may be on more people's lists. I am going to ponder my list before I post it. If I am argueing with myself I am sure I will get into some sort of debate. I can Say, unlike Jack, Ruiz and Byrd are not my #1 and #2.

You have to define greatness, is it by being completely destructive and walking through anybody you face? Tyson would be close to the top. (in the day)

If it is for Ring generalship, then you Holmes and sadly Byrd.

On heart, then you have Holyfield.

Longevity you have Holmes and John L Sullivan

I think if we had to come up with top Heavies for each catagory, it would be easier to justify and debate your choices. IMHO!!!

dodge
12-17-2004, 05:39 PM
Ever stuck your d**k in a boxing glove? Then you're not a boxing fanatic.
It's overrated. :cool:

BDBowe
12-17-2004, 06:01 PM
good list . especially the choices of eveander lennox and mike

Tyson_Bit_Holyfields_Ear
12-18-2004, 07:55 PM
1 Tyson
2 Ali
3 Louis
4 Holmes
5 Foreman
6 Marciano
7 Johnson
8 Dempsey
9 Frazier
10 Liston

Mike Tyson77
02-26-2006, 10:19 PM
In that case no I am not a boxing fanatic. Mr. Swift's wee wee will never enter a sweaty, greasy, gym rotted, fungus encrusted, ass smelling boxing glove.


Now that's funny!

bill1234
03-03-2007, 10:58 PM
My list is:
1. Joe Louis
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Rocky Marciano
4. Larry Holmes
Elite-----------------------Elite
5. Jack Johnson
6. Jack Dempsey
7. Gene Tunney
8. Joe Frazier
9. Sonny Liston
10. George Foreman

Left Fist
09-07-2008, 11:12 PM
@Mr. Violence, Nice one! *okay*