Tweet
All great champions all have one thing in common, and that is a great heart, and a will to win, which means coming back from defeat, or getting off the floor to win. A big heart always provides drama.
To make a list and decide a number one is tough. Ali, Louis and Holyfield, Marciano, Frazier are all fighters that had "it" , which all champions possess. Some had more than others, here's my list.
1. Muhammad Ali-- I rate him number one. He had great stamina, and never quit. Ali had many, many late knockouts. His wars with Frazier, Chuvalo, and the great fights he had in the twilight of his career are a testament to how big his boxing heart really was.
2. Joe Louis -- Had an uncanny ability to get off the floor and score a KO. His longevity in the ring, and grit, even in his old age puts him at my number two spot.
3. Evander Holyfield -- Greatly outsized in the modern heavyweight era, his thrilling, come from behind brawling put a bright spot in boxing for a while. Although a great champion, he played the underdog many times, pulling out impressives wins just on guts alone.
4. Rocky Marciano --- Although very small in stature, he was long on work ethic and pressure. Marciano never stopped throwing punches, and out-worked everyone he faced. He could be placed higher if he had faced other greats in their prime during his era.
5. Joe Frazier ---- Relentless pressure and never say die, you could put him higher if you wanted. Came off the floor many times vs. Foreman. It took guts to do it.
6. James Braddock--- Overcame huge odds and adversity to become the champion. Although not a marquis champion, his story and emergence from the depths of the depression make him one of the greatest stories in boxing. Many successful people succeed because they don't quit. Joe Louis said he was the bravest man he ever fought.
7. George Foreman --- George had alot of heart, when you consider his tenacity to win the title the 2nd time around. He could have quit after the beating he took from Holyfield, the loss to Tommy Morrison, etc. Instead, he kept on fighting and saw his dream realized.
8. Floyd Patterson --- The first 2 time champion, returned to the ring to destroy Johansen.
There are others, but these stand out in my mind. It's a tough list to make, and I could have it wrong, but just a few.
To make a list and decide a number one is tough. Ali, Louis and Holyfield, Marciano, Frazier are all fighters that had "it" , which all champions possess. Some had more than others, here's my list.
1. Muhammad Ali-- I rate him number one. He had great stamina, and never quit. Ali had many, many late knockouts. His wars with Frazier, Chuvalo, and the great fights he had in the twilight of his career are a testament to how big his boxing heart really was.
2. Joe Louis -- Had an uncanny ability to get off the floor and score a KO. His longevity in the ring, and grit, even in his old age puts him at my number two spot.
3. Evander Holyfield -- Greatly outsized in the modern heavyweight era, his thrilling, come from behind brawling put a bright spot in boxing for a while. Although a great champion, he played the underdog many times, pulling out impressives wins just on guts alone.
4. Rocky Marciano --- Although very small in stature, he was long on work ethic and pressure. Marciano never stopped throwing punches, and out-worked everyone he faced. He could be placed higher if he had faced other greats in their prime during his era.
5. Joe Frazier ---- Relentless pressure and never say die, you could put him higher if you wanted. Came off the floor many times vs. Foreman. It took guts to do it.
6. James Braddock--- Overcame huge odds and adversity to become the champion. Although not a marquis champion, his story and emergence from the depths of the depression make him one of the greatest stories in boxing. Many successful people succeed because they don't quit. Joe Louis said he was the bravest man he ever fought.
7. George Foreman --- George had alot of heart, when you consider his tenacity to win the title the 2nd time around. He could have quit after the beating he took from Holyfield, the loss to Tommy Morrison, etc. Instead, he kept on fighting and saw his dream realized.
8. Floyd Patterson --- The first 2 time champion, returned to the ring to destroy Johansen.
There are others, but these stand out in my mind. It's a tough list to make, and I could have it wrong, but just a few.