My Top Ten Greatest Heavyweight Champs Of All Time!

[butterfly1964]

Galveston Giant,

Lets forget Louis/Tyson match up for a minute. I think the most intriguing match-up would be Ali/Tyson. Since you have him above everyone else I'm guessing you think he beats everyone.

How do you see Ali/Tyson playing out?

Ali probably would have the toughest fight in his entire career. Tyson would score often than any of Ali's prime opponents, but in rounds 13-15, Ali would pull away and win a close but clear UD.

[butterfly1964]

So this list is purely on who would win heads up right? I don't think Liston could beat Louis, Holmes, Foreman or Lewis heads up. I don't think Tyson would beat Louis, Holmes, Foreman or Lewis hu. I don't think Holmes would beat Foreman, Frazier or Lewis hu. I don't think Johnson could beat Foreman, Frazier, Dempsey, or Lewis hu. I don't think Frazier could beat Lewis hu, and I don't think Dempsey could beat Lewis hu. But that's just my opinion, interesting list, and all we can do is speculate.

I respect your opinion, but I have my reasons, and I've changed my list so often that I probably at some point have similar opinions to you, so I don't blame you.

[butterfly1964]

Wow Galveston, i didnt realise how much you rated tyson, its a pretty good list in my eyes! mines in my sig if u wanna have a look. So do you base your list on Match ups between each other then?
Also i dnt think louis could fight tyson like holyfield did, his chin isint as good and he wouldnt be strong enough.

Your list is pretty good, except I think you have Holyfield a bit too high. He's underrated yes, but not that much, plus he was very inconsistent throughout his career.

[butterfly1964]

He tagged him once. The rest of the time he stayed in Mike's grill.

He tagged him more than once, and that's an understatement.

[butterfly1964]

good top ten but dempsey was better than number ten.

He's number 9, plus head-to-head he was only 180-192 lbs in his prime, the smallest guy in my top 10. I can't see him doing much better, especially with his questionable stamina.

[butterfly1964]

It's a good list but why is L_Lewis so low?

Well, obviously he had a questionable chin and tended to lull in some of his fights, giving the opportunity for him to be suprised or even beaten. He might be the best 230+lber ever but there is a thing as too much size. His footwork was terrible, he was a slow starter at times, and many times he was wide open for the uppercut. Sorry, but 10 is the best I can do.

[Hawkins]

Ali probably would have the toughest fight in his entire career. Tyson would score often than any of Ali's prime opponents, but in rounds 13-15, Ali would pull away and win a close but clear UD.

I think Ali would have the fight won before they ever entered the ring. With his approach of psychological warfare Tyson would be his for the taking. I think a prime Ali was just too fast for Tyson. Sure, Tyson had great hand speed, but speed is relative to size. Ali has longer reach thus his speed would more effective.

Sure Tyson would probably get some licks in, but I think Ali would sting him with enough jabs and rights that later in the fight he would think twice about pursuing as vigourously as in the earlier rounds.

I just don't think Tyson has the mental make-up to effectively deal with Ali and he'd play right into Ali's plans. Ali KO 11.

[Brunswick Assassin]

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 d****d 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 proven himself to be unworthy and is now replaced by James J. Braddock.

James J. Braddock is #9

Jack Dempsey no. 10 and Jack Johnson no. 11???? You seriously gonna rate Holyfield no.8, Tyson no.9, Holmes no.5, Lennox Lewis no. 7??? Your other selections belong there but you seriously cannot have theothers there! You rate these guys above Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Harry Greb, Gene Tunney?

[them_apples]

I just don't think Tyson has the mental make-up to effectively deal with Ali and he'd play right into Ali's plans. Ali KO 11.

I can see Ali getting a decision possibly, but there is the chance that he could also get knocked out via the same way Holmes was, only maybe round 5.

Ali's chin was questionable during his younger years so if he got clocked by one of Tyson's hooks it could be game over. Only speculating though.

Also, If Ali wins, it's a clear UD/decision I don't think Ali has the power to knock out Tyson, Tyson avoids to many shots -- unlike Liston (who ate them all) and Tyson wouldn't tire like Foreman.

I'm not trying to make you mad by acting like a "nuthugger" but Tyson was in incredible fighting condition during the 80's and could pose a huge threat to any great of any time.

[Brunswick Assassin]

I can see Ali getting a decision possibly, but there is the chance that he could also get knocked out via the same way Holmes was, only maybe round 5.

Ali's chin was questionable during his younger years so if he got clocked by one of Tyson's hooks it could be game over. Only speculating though.

Also, If Ali wins, it's a clear UD/decision I don't think Ali has the power to knock out Tyson, Tyson avoids to many shots -- unlike Liston (who ate them all) and Tyson wouldn't tire like Foreman.

I'm not trying to make you mad by acting like a "nuthugger" but Tyson was in incredible fighting condition during the 80's and could pose a huge threat to any great of any time.

Tyson's 'achilles heel' was his unsettled mind! He did remind a lot of Jack Dempsey in his heyday with constant 'bobbing and weaving'. Tyson also did the 'peak-a-boo' very well and punched in sustained combinations like an 'animal' going upstairs then downstairs. I could see Ali getting under Tyson's skin with pre-fight taunts and who else was better at taunting their opponent pre-fight?? This would cause Tyson to come out like a man possessed once the bell rang. Ali neglected body bunching and didn't put full weight behind his punches always dancing around ring although he had one of the best chins in boxing history along with Greb, La Motta and Zale. Ali would take a clear UD over Tyson.