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Depends what greatest is, most iconic Im thinking Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali.
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If you're asking popularity, first would be Ali. They are known across the world (nor just US/UK) but also in east Asia, Africa, ME, etc. They are known to all, boxing and non-boxing fights alike. You'll find a grandma who knows Ali even though she hasn't watched a boxing match ever.
Tyson is also fairly well known too but a bit lessor than Ali. Most people with even a slight interest in sports (not necessarily boxing) will probably know him but you may find people who know Ali but not Tyson.
I do not think there is a 3rd person that commands this level of popularity, i.e. to be known to non-boxing fans too. I would probably go with either Frazier or Foreman because they fought Ali. Most people with a slight interest in the sport will know Ali beat them. Foreman also got popular because of his grills but that is only in the US (or Canada at max). Holyfield used to appear in Christian born-again programs over many English speaking African countries so he is known to a few people but not much. Others (Floyd, Lewis, etc.) are great but not known to people who do not watch boxing regularly.Comment
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Come think of it
3rd biggest name changes with the times
In the 80s it was SRL
today more people know who FMJ is than SRL
Ali and Tyson’s names are immortalComment
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Strangely I dont rate Tyson very high, notoriety was bigger than his boxing he had power and long list of bum of the mth type opponents, I think Ali would beat Mike up and stop him mid rounds, Mike was not that hard to outbox.
But I can see how the internet era would rate Mike and see him as a beast.Comment
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From my Polish perspective it would be Clay/Ali, Mike Tyson and Laszlo Papp. I think my Dad would have agreed to this choice.Comment
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