What criteria makes an "ATG"? Specific as possible

[billeau2]

The thing about Heavyweights is that most heavy weight ATGs never beat another ATG in the latters prime. When this is the case, we have to see the competiton level beat.

And that....

Is precisely the point I have been trying to make. Yes, that is what we have to do, at least in my opinion.

[Anthony342]

And that....

Is precisely the point I have been trying to make. Yes, that is what we have to do, at least in my opinion.

Then go by longevity and skill level, like with Louis. Or Lewis. Plus Lewis beat some pretty damn good opponents, even opting to avoid mandatories to fight better contenders, as you have said.

[BattlingNelson]

Then go by longevity and skill level, like with Louis. Or Lewis. Plus Lewis beat some pretty damn good opponents, even opting to avoid mandatories to fight better contenders, as you have said.

Lewis avoided Klitschko when he was mando. Lewis might have opted for better names, but not better opponents. By a mile.

[Anthony342]

Lewis avoided Klitschko when he was mando. Lewis might have opted for better names, but not better opponents. By a mile.

Lewis avoided Wlad? Or his brother? So Lewis was a cherry picker then?

[BattlingNelson]

Lewis avoided Wlad? Or his brother? So Lewis was a cherry picker then?

Vitali. Vitali was mando for many years. Lewis didn't want none. Only when the odds was stacked against Vitali, Lewis gave him his shot with 10 days notice. We all know that.

[billeau2]

Then go by longevity and skill level, like with Louis. Or Lewis. Plus Lewis beat some pretty damn good opponents, even opting to avoid mandatories to fight better contenders, as you have said.

Its always nice to hear what others have to say.

[Anthony342]

Vitali. Vitali was mando for many years. Lewis didn't want none. Only when the odds was stacked against Vitali, Lewis gave him his shot with 10 days notice. We all know that.

Now I know. And knowing is half the battle. Yo Joe!

[thebrownbomber_]

well i don't know about all that... Can yu name any ATG who Dempsey, Liston, Holmes beat at prime? we can start there...

What would you consider Norton (he was at the end of his prime), Gerry Cooney (at his Peak when he faced holmes), and Earnie Shavers?

[billeau2]

What would you consider Norton (he was at the end of his prime), Gerry Cooney (at his Peak when he faced holmes), and Earnie Shavers?

I think they were all excellent, Norton and Cooney at the higher end. One way to look at Shavers would be to compare him to Julian jackson, who also had a punch, and was always dangerous, etc.

Norton would have to be the best of the three as, he beat Ali. But he lost to others as well, like of course Foreman. Foreman is one I consider an ATG. He beat most at a time of great talent, tape shows his abilities to control opponents, punch, etc...