A lot of ringside observers thought LaStarza got robbed in the first go around with Marciano.
Poet
Yeah, I feel if that decision actually went the other way Marciano would not get rated as high as he does. Half the reason for ranking Marciano high (as you can see when I'm "debating" with that guy a few pages back." is he is "undefeated."
It's all well and good being undefeated but, when only 7 out of your 49 opponents are that good then what should it matter?
1. Muhammad Ali
2. Joe Louis
3. Lennox Lewis
4. Larry Holmes
5. Jack Johnson
6. George Foreman
7. Evander Holyfield
8. Mike Tyson
9. Joe Frazier
10. Rocky Marciano
Joe Louis
Muhammad Ali
George Foreman
Larry Holmes
Sonny Liston
Lennox Lewis
Mike Tyson
Jack Dempsey
Joe Frazier
Jack Johnson
Best Overall Boxer: Muhammad Ali
Fastest: Muhammad Ali
Best Fundamentally: Joe Louis
Best Jab: Larry Holmes
Best Left Hook: Jack Dempsey, Joe Frazier
Best Right Cross: Joe Louis
Best Uppercut: George Foreman, Mike Tyson
Best Counter Puncher: Joe Louis
Best Knockout Puncher (Power AND Accuracy): Joe Louis
Best Combination Punching: Joe Louis
Hardest One Punch: Mike Tyson
Best Body Puncher: Joe Frazier
Best Finisher: Joe Louis
Best Footwork: Muhammad Ali
Best at Feinting: Jack Johnson
Best Defense: Jack Johnson
Strongest Physically: George Foreman
Best Conditioned: Rocky Marciano
Best Chin: Muhammad Ali
Best Competition: Muhammad Ali
In order to be historically accurate, Holyfield's cruiserweight scalps have to count for something which means HOFer Dwight Muhammad Qawi (x2) adds to his resume. Riddick Bowe (Top 10 H2H), Larry Holmes (goes without saying well past, but coming off a UD of Mercer),George Foreman (who would regain the title three years later). People conveniently forget Mike Tyson came into the fight November 1996 as a huge favorite. It was Holyfield - four years older - who was considered done having battled various health issues. This was a fantastic win and nobody is to take it from him with revisionist drivel. He wouldve stopped him again in the rematch and was the last time a win over Tyson would bear much significance. There's also Michael Dokes, Michael Moorer (avenged defeat), Ray Mercer (before Lewis' dubious MD victory).
Only a damn fool would disregard the abilities of Bowe. While he lacked a consistent work ethic and was fairly easy to hit, his strengths are obvious: Immense size, excellent jab, superb inside (particularly for a big man), crisp combination punching and a great chin. Holyfield was woefully outsized, and against a very talented superheavyweight unlike the sloths today.
Pretty phenomenal resume, really. I'd argue it's comfortably up to par with Lennox Lewis who seems to be rated quite highly around these parts.
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