Enclosed are my top 15 ranked heavyweights by 20-year intervals. The criteria for the

[Marchegiano]

Yes, but Vitali was better than Wlad is what I'm saying and what the question was. If the question was who had the better career, then yes, it would definitely be Wlad. Was Vitali ever even knocked down though? His 2 stoppage losses were both between rounds from a separated shoulder and a gnarly eye gash. So I'd say Vitali had the better chin. Plus Vits was willing to keep his arms at his sides because of his lack of fear of being hit and willingness to time opponents.

Big V was cool as, great post

[JAB5239]

Vitali is an interesting fight when you consider this:

• He has one of the highest KO % in the history of the division among champions.
  
• He has the best rounds won to rounds lost ratio in the history of the division, even better than Ali or Homes. He never lost more than 3 rounds on any professional score card.
  
• He was never floored by a punch ever.
  
• He came back in his mid 30's out of the ring for a few years to win his belt back and defend it impressively retiring at age 41.
  
• He entered the hall of fame on his first year of eligibility, leading his class in votes.

Unfortunately for him, he's remembered ( Or trolled ) for losing to Lewis, up 4-2 on al cards and never got the re-match he wanted. Lewis was gassing. Max Kellerman, who was biased against Klitschko in his early broadcasting days said, Lewis crashed down hard on his stool at the end of the 6th round, and he never saw him so tired.

The Byrd fight was a bit of a fluke. He was well ahead and retired with a torn shoulder that required surgery.
If there was a re-match here Vitali would win the fight. When Don King had Byrd signed fighting in a forgetful round robin vs. Rhaman, Ruiz, Golota, and company there was no way he would risk this lone heavyweight belt vs Vitali.

Politics took away some of his prime years.

He should have rematched Byrd. The fight was also closer than the cards indicated with Klitschko only landing 8 more punches in the fight despite having huge advantages in height and reach as well as Byrd flying to Germany as a late replacement. Both were rated highly or right next to one another for the next several years yet Vitaly never pursued the Byrd rematch as he promised his fans, rather having his brother clean up his loss as he did with Purrity and Sanders for Wlad.

[scartissue]

Enclosed are my top 15 ranked heavyweights by 20-year intervals. The criteria for the ranking as follows.

1 ) Head to head vs. the field, which is strictly my personal opinion. 40%

2 ) Resume of wins and losses, excluding losses that happened when a fighter was passed their prime. 30%

3 ) The distinction of the fighter as champion by beating top contenders in title matches if applicable. 20%

4 ) Historians input, which matters most to fighters, not on film. 10%
I will try to list each fighter only once, placing him closest to his prime years. I am also open to shifting the ratings a bit, as this is the 1st draft. So constructive feedback with explanations is most welcome.



1926-1945 Great Depression to World War II: An era where war and the great depression in the USA hurt boxing. I have trouble with the bottom of this list, as the depth is rather thin.

1. Louis
2. Charles
3. Schmeling
4. M Baer
5. Carnera
6. Godfrey
7. Moore
8. Bivins
9. Schaff
10. Conn
11. *****
12. Pastor
13. Farr
14. Loughran
15. Galento

1946-1965 Golden age era:

1. Liston
2. Marciano
3. Patterson
4. Walcott
5. Charles
6. Johansson
7. Ray
8. Terrell
9. Machen
10. Folley
11. Williams
12. H. Johnson
13. Valdes
14. D Jones
15. Chuvalo

Dr. Z, great list. I love the research you put into it. I see everyone has been giving some input, but I have only minor points that are my opinion only. In the 26-45 era I would have had Jack Sharkey top 5 and would have lost Archie Moore. Moore was was a middleweight/ light heavyweight at this stage of the game and really never ventured into the heavy realm until around '49 and even that was minor. He seemed to take more interest with the big boys around '52, so I think he is out of place in this era. Also, I think I would try and find a spot for Lou Nova in this era as well. Perhaps at the expense of Steve ***** who I think is a bit high.

Regarding the 46-65 era, as I mentioned I think Moore is more geared to this era and I think I would slide Bob Baker in towards the 12-15 range. These two possibly at the expense of Harold Johnson (who only dabbled at heavyweight) and Doug Jones.

Anyways, that's just my opinion. Good list.

[Dr. Z]

Dr. Z, great list. I love the research you put into it. I see everyone has been giving some input, but I have only minor points that are my opinion only. In the 26-45 era I would have had Jack Sharkey top 5 and would have lost Archie Moore. Moore was was a middleweight/ light heavyweight at this stage of the game and really never ventured into the heavy realm until around '49 and even that was minor. He seemed to take more interest with the big boys around '52, so I think he is out of place in this era. Also, I think I would try and find a spot for Lou Nova in this era as well. Perhaps at the expense of Steve ***** who I think is a bit high.

Regarding the 46-65 era, as I mentioned I think Moore is more geared to this era and I think I would slide Bob Baker in towards the 12-15 range. These two possibly at the expense of Harold Johnson (who only dabbled at heavyweight) and Doug Jones.

Anyways, that's just my opinion. Good list.

I think you're correct on Moore. He is best placed from 1946-1965 as his best wins at heavyweight happened in this time line. I'd pace him around 7, and exit Chuvalo.

The 1926-1945 timeline is a little thin IMO and even thinner without Archie. I forgot to list Sharkey period, and think he's around 7. Sharkey is one of those fighters wo can look goof on his best nights, but in the end there are too many losses for him. He was down at least 15 times, that's a lot.

Shuffling my ratings now, thanks for your $.02

[Noelanthony]

Enclosed are my top 15 ranked heavyweights by 20-year intervals. The criteria for the ranking as follows.

1 ) Head to head vs. the field, which is strictly my personal opinion. 40%

2 ) Resume of wins and losses, excluding losses that happened when a fighter was passed their prime. 30%

3 ) The distinction of the fighter as champion by beating top contenders in title matches if applicable. 20%

4 ) Historians input, which matters most to fighters, not on film. 10%
I will try to list each fighter only once, placing him closest to his prime years. I am also open to shifting the ratings a bit, as this is the 1st draft. So constructive feedback with explanations is most welcome.

1885-1905 Pioneer era: The transitional time between bare knuckles and London Prize-ring rules to Queensberry rules.

1.Jeffries
2.Fitzsimmons
3A. Jackson - No film in the ring, only walking around.
3B. Corbett
5. Sullivan - Mock sparring and hitting a bag only
6. Sharkey
7. Slavin - No film
8. Ruhlin
9. Goddard - No film
10. Griffin - No film
11. Maher - Was flied, never saw him
12. Choynski - filmed in sparring only
13. Hart - No film on
14. McCoy - Was filmed in the ring, spars with Corbett
15. O’Brien


1906-1925 Black and white filmed era:

1. Dempsey
2. Tunney
3. J Johnson
4. Langford
5. Wills
6. Jeanette
7. McVey
8. Willard
9. Greb - Training clips only
10. Gibbons
11. Burns
12. Miske - No film on, I think
13. Godfrey
14. Norfolk
15. Smith

1926-1945 Great Depression to World War II: An era where war and the great depression in the USA hurt boxing. I have trouble with the bottom of this list, as the depth is rather thin.

1. Louis
2. Charles
3. Schmeling
4. M Baer
5. Carnera
6. Godfrey
7. J Sharkey
8. Bivins
9. Schaff
10. Conn
11. *****
12. Pastor
13. Farr
14. Loughran
15. Galento

1946-1965 Golden age era:

1. Liston
2. Marciano
3. Patterson
4. Walcott
5. Charles
6. Johansson
7. Moore
8. Ray - No film on, only a radio broadcast
9. Terrell
10. Machen
11. Folley
12. Williams
13. H. Johnson
14. Valdes
15. D Jones



1966-1985: TV expansion to Cable and PPV: This era is loaded with talent.

1. Ali
2. Holmes
3. Foreman
4. Frazier
5. Norton
6. Witherspoon
7. Thomas
8. Quarry
9. Page
10. Coetzee
11. Shavers
12. Lyle
13. Cooney
14. Young
15. Weaver


1986-2003: 12 round era and super heavyweight era. This era had tremendous depth and a lot of talent.

1. Lewis
2. Holyfield
3. Tyson
4. Bowe
5. Ibeabuchi
6.Byrd
7. Moorer
8. Mercer
9. Douglas
10. Tua
11. Morrison
12. Bruno
13. Rhaman
14. Ruiz
15. McCall




2004-2024 – Eastern European dominance era. While this era is only half over, the nations producing the top talent has shifted. Once the iron curtain in Eastern Europe fell both the amateur and professional ranks have been dominated by Eastern Europeans. Only 2 Americans made the top ten. Since many of the below fighters career’s are over, and future talent in the amateurs will arrive, this list will likely look very different after the Klitshcko’s come 2026. It is possible young pros such as Joshua will rate in the next 4 years. Hopefully, we will all be here to debate it!

1A. V Klitschko
1B. W Kltischko
3. Povetkin
4. Joshua* Still active
5. Fury* Still active
6. Chagaev
7. Sanders
8. Ibragimov
9. Wilder * Still active
10. Haye
11. Adamek
12. Chambers
13. Brewster
14. Peter
15. Valuev


*** If Pulev beats Joshua, he's on the list ***

Very well thought out.