Redefined Greatest Heavyweight Ever List

[soul_survivor]

Some of you may remember me posting a similar list some 12 months ago. Since then I've been looking into the divisions' history once more, watching quite literally hundreds of fights and reading thousands of articles and opinions by ex-fighters, journalists and "experts". This is without a doubt my most in depth list ever. So, here are my top 20 greatest heavyweights ever, write ups for each guy will follow so you know why I chose these guys and why they are placed in this particular order.

1. Muhammad Ali
2. George Foreman
3. Evander Holyfield
4. Larry Holmes
5. Joe Louis
6. Joe Frazier
7. Lennox Lewis
8. Mike Tyson
9. Rocky Marciano
10. Sonny Liston
11. Wladimir Klitschko
12. Ezzard Charles
13. Gene Tunney
14. Jack Dempsey
15. Vitali Klitschko
16. Jack Johnson
17. Michael Spinks
18. Jersey Joe Walcot
19. Rid**** Bowe
20. Chris Byrd

I know this will attract a lot of hate from the fanboys but let me complete my write ups on each guy and post them over the course of the coming weeks before you fully judge.

Alright, let it begin.

[kiDynamite92]

Who do you think would win in a LHW showdown between Ezzard Charles and Michael Spinks?

[jas]

chris byrd thats an interesting inclusion

[soul_survivor]

Who do you think would win in a LHW showdown between Ezzard Charles and Michael Spinks?

oh damn....charles was a master, I like to think of him, along with Moore and a few others in the 40s as the founding fathers of modern boxing. They should have a mount Rushmore or something lol Go back and watch tape of those guys, what they were doing back then is being done now with varying quality and results.

Spinks was the epitome of a modern fighter, in great shape, dedicated mostly, power and skill and speed and great technique. But I think Charles would still teach him a lesson and come away with a close but uncontroversial win.

[soul_survivor]

chris byrd thats an interesting inclusion

There were a few names I was throwing about in my head, even thinking of including some 19th century names but Byrd can't be ignored. He was, at his peak, damn fast, elusive and skilled in making guys miss and then pay. He often lost not because he couldn't box but because he was out sized. Yet he still managed to win a title and make Vitali pay for all those misses, in fact he made the hair apparent to Lewis' throne look ordinary.

[kiDynamite92]

oh damn....charles was a master, I like to think of him, along with Moore and a few others in the 40s as the founding fathers of modern boxing. They should have a mount Rushmore or something lol Go back and watch tape of those guys, what they were doing back then is being done now with varying quality and results.

Spinks was the epitome of a modern fighter, in great shape, dedicated mostly, power and skill and speed and great technique. But I think Charles would still teach him a lesson and come away with a close but uncontroversial win.

Agreed. i've watched a few of Charles fights, he was a master as you put it. He was just so smooth and relaxed, I've never seen someone so calm inside the ring.

[ImStillHere]

Agreed. i've watched a few of Charles fights, he was a master as you put it. He was just so smooth and relaxed, I've never seen someone so calm inside the ring.

This^^^^ Charles should be higher, only reason any the others beat him is size.

[marvelousmatt]

Some of you may remember me posting a similar list some 12 months ago. Since then I've been looking into the divisions' history once more, watching quite literally hundreds of fights and reading thousands of articles and opinions by ex-fighters, journalists and "experts". This is without a doubt my most in depth list ever. So, here are my top 20 greatest heavyweights ever, write ups for each guy will follow so you know why I chose these guys and why they are placed in this particular order.

1. Muhammad Ali
2. George Foreman
3. Evander Holyfield
4. Larry Holmes
5. Joe Louis
6. Joe Frazier
7. Lennox Lewis
8. Mike Tyson
9. Rocky Marciano
10. Sonny Liston
11. Wladimir Klitschko
12. Ezzard Charles
13. Gene Tunney
14. Jack Dempsey
15. Vitali Klitschko
16. Jack Johnson
17. Michael Spinks
18. Jersey Joe Walcot
19. Rid**** Bowe
20. Chris Byrd

I know this will attract a lot of hate from the fanboys but let me complete my write ups on each guy and post them over the course of the coming weeks before you fully judge.

Alright, let it begin.

For me, I stopped reading your list after seeing Ali ranked #1. Joe Louis was best HW of all-time.The KO Bros. are way too low as is Lennox Lewis.

[The Hammer]

Sonny Liston is very overrated, who did he ever beat besides Floyd Patterson?

He's just 2-2 in world title fights, and was stopped in those two losses.

[NChristo]

Gene Tunney doesn't belong on any Heavyweight list imo, the man had 4 or 5 fights there, to put him over any career Heavyweight who has a few decent wins is ridiculous. His Heavyweight resume begins and ends with 2 wins over an old Jack Dempsey, phenomenal Light Heavyweight no doubt but he's no Heavyweight.