Prime Mike Tyson vs Prime Joe Frazier

[Sheldon312]

Out of curiosity who are your personal top 10 Heavyweights of All Time.

I know with many people it's subjective. Many people's list will have about 5 or 6 of the usual names we always see and then the rest may vary on opinion.

It's pretty interesting. I'll also share my top 10 as well.

I'm not debating, I just find different opinions interesting.

1. Ali
2. Foreman
3. Joe Louis
4. Frazier.
5. Holyfield.
6. Lewis
7. Larry Holmen
8. Jack Johnson
9. Marciano
10. Sonny Liston.

I do sometimes take some guys out and put some guys in. I just dont think Tyson was that great. If he had beat all the top competition that he faced, then he would probably be placed among the top 10 maybe top 5. But competition matters where we like it or not. That's why I have a hard time placing Floyd over Hearns and Leonard.

[GhostofDempsey]

You can't state an opinion and call it a fact. That's a dangerous game. I'm speaking on the "fixed" fights claim. Frazier beat the closet version of a prime Ali for what it's worth.

Also, it's pretty much a general consensus the Ali was champion in the two strongest eras in HW history, while in and past his prime. If you can go through Ali's resume with a fine tooth comb, Tyson's would only require a rake in comparison.

There are several well researched books and articles by reputable journalists and writers who have provided enough facts to connect the dots on the fix claims. It does add up, but anyone who grew up. A fan of Ali and idolized him will absolutely shoot it down. The rematch was an obvious dive by Liston, the first more subtle. In between their two fights they were supposed to fight sooner. This time Liston was supposed to win and he trained harder than he ever had. Suddenly Ali has a hernia and cancels that fight until the rematch could be fixed in his favor.

Ali's greatness was a myth and a lot of hype. Ali was a media sensation enabled by the mob, Nation of Islam, Cosell, and the networks. There was money to be made with a television friendly charismatic champion. His opponents got their names elevated by association.

[Sheldon312]

Again I urge you to take a second look at Ali's record and convince me of all of the "great" fighters he beat. I pointed out his gift decisions and fixes. Foreman was a big, strong lumbering HW who gassed himself out and was successful beating up on smaller opponents. Norton didn't turn pro until 26 and was never considered a great HW and still technically beat Ali twice. Ali at 6'3" towered over many of his opponents.

Go to look at some of the no-hopers on his resume. Then check the resume of his opponents. Frazier was really his biggest and best wins and they took as much out of him as they did Frazier.

Foreman, Frazier, Liston, and Norton(argubally) were great fighters. Just because Ali had physical advantages over most of his opponents doesnt take away from his or their greatness. That's like saying, since Hearns was taller than most Welters, his wins don't count. And I disagree, I think Foreman was his best win. It takes a heavyweight with great ring IQ to beat a monster like prime Foreman.

[The Time]

1. Ali
2. Foreman
3. Joe Louis
4. Frazier.
5. Holyfield.
6. Lewis
7. Larry Holmen
8. Jack Johnson
9. Marciano
10. Sonny Liston.

I do sometimes take some guys out and put some guys in. I just dont think Tyson was that great. If he had beat all the top competition that he faced, then he would probably be placed among the top 10 maybe top 5. But competition matters where we like it or not. That's why I have a hard time placing Floyd over Hearns and Leonard.

Interesting list. All those guys on that list are great.

Here's my top 10 Heavyweights of All Time:



1. Muhammad Ali
2. Joe Louis
3. Rocky Marciano
4. Jack Dempsey
5. George Foreman
6. Joe Frazier
7. Larry Holmes
8. Lennox Lewis
9. Evander Holyfield
10. Mike Tyson

[HeadShots]

someone can be "GREATER" than another fighter. Doesn't mean they'd beat them H2H.


Marciano is "greater" than Tyson. You would have to be braindead to pick Marciano to beat Tyson h2h

[APryor]

How would Tyson do against Bonecrusher Smith, Razor Ruddock, Buster Douglas and Evander Holyfield?

He'd knock them all out in the first round.

[APryor]

someone can be "GREATER" than another fighter. Doesn't mean they'd beat them H2H.


Marciano is "greater" than Tyson. You would have to be braindead to pick Marciano to beat Tyson h2h

By the same token, it'd be crazy to pick Tyson over Vitali.

[Sheldon312]

How would Tyson do against Bonecrusher Smith, Razor Ruddock, Buster Douglas and Evander Holyfield?

He'd knock them all out in the first round.

Yet, he didnt beat Holyfield or Douglas.

[HeadShots]

By the same token, it'd be crazy to pick Tyson over Vitali.

Vitali is a perfect example of an ATG h2h fighter with a broke resume.


I'd rank him over everybody not named Lennox Lewis.

[GhostofDempsey]

Was wondering also with you as well Ghost. What are your top ten Heavyweight boxers of all-time.

Just interesting to see everyone's opinion. I'll name my top 10 as well.

I'm not debating just interested in seeing different points of view and opinions.

1- Joe Louis
2- Sonny Liston
3- Lennox Lewis
4- Jack Dempsey
5- Evander Holyfield
6- Mike Tyson
7- Rocky Marciano
8- Ali
9- Larry Holmes
10- Joe Frazier

The way I rank them doesn't mean that a guy ranked higher beats a guy below him. Louis wouldn't beat Liston, and Marciano would not beat he three ranked below him.