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I've never done a list or even seen one like this before, but who are your top 10 heavies based on social impact, good or bad? Explain your choices please.
Choices were getting thin towards the bottom so I may have been reaching.
10. Lennox Lewis-The first British heavyweight to hold the title and be known as a champion by the world and not just the Brits (see Frank Bruno).
9. Tommy Burns-Had the distinction of being the man to give up the heavyweight championship to the first black heavyweight champion in history and change the sport forever.
8. Max Schmeling-While nothing he did as champion stands out, his win and loss to Louis helped set and destroy a symbol of Nazi power.
7. Rocky Marciano-retired undefeated and was the last white American to be the undisputed champ. His name is synonymous with the heavyweight title.
6. John L. Sullivan-The first gloved champion and a certified star of his era. Everyone knew who the Boston string boy was.
5. Joe Louis-His win over Schmeling was a crushing defeat to Nazi propaganda and his patriotic devotion made him loved by blacks and whites alike during a turbulent time in the countries history.
4. Mike Tyson-His star burned so bright everybody in the world knew his name and stopped to watch him fight. They also stopped to watch his tragedies and turbulent life as if it were a car wreck.
3. Jack Johnson-The first black heavyweight champion and its most despised during his reign. So hated that white America actively pursued a "white hope" to wipe the golden smile of his face.
2. Muhammad Ali-Never had a fighter gone from being so disliked to so beloved. His stance on Vietnam brought a surreal amount of disdain for Ali. But his first loss to Frazier proved his conviction and courage so much the masses got behind him. He went from one end of the spectrum to the other and did it with flair not seen before or since.
1. Jack Dempsey-No fighter was ever so revered in their era. Never did so many people flock to see one man fight. So popular was Dempsey that his name alone conjures up images of the roaring twenties.
Choices were getting thin towards the bottom so I may have been reaching.
10. Lennox Lewis-The first British heavyweight to hold the title and be known as a champion by the world and not just the Brits (see Frank Bruno).
9. Tommy Burns-Had the distinction of being the man to give up the heavyweight championship to the first black heavyweight champion in history and change the sport forever.
8. Max Schmeling-While nothing he did as champion stands out, his win and loss to Louis helped set and destroy a symbol of Nazi power.
7. Rocky Marciano-retired undefeated and was the last white American to be the undisputed champ. His name is synonymous with the heavyweight title.
6. John L. Sullivan-The first gloved champion and a certified star of his era. Everyone knew who the Boston string boy was.
5. Joe Louis-His win over Schmeling was a crushing defeat to Nazi propaganda and his patriotic devotion made him loved by blacks and whites alike during a turbulent time in the countries history.
4. Mike Tyson-His star burned so bright everybody in the world knew his name and stopped to watch him fight. They also stopped to watch his tragedies and turbulent life as if it were a car wreck.
3. Jack Johnson-The first black heavyweight champion and its most despised during his reign. So hated that white America actively pursued a "white hope" to wipe the golden smile of his face.
2. Muhammad Ali-Never had a fighter gone from being so disliked to so beloved. His stance on Vietnam brought a surreal amount of disdain for Ali. But his first loss to Frazier proved his conviction and courage so much the masses got behind him. He went from one end of the spectrum to the other and did it with flair not seen before or since.
1. Jack Dempsey-No fighter was ever so revered in their era. Never did so many people flock to see one man fight. So popular was Dempsey that his name alone conjures up images of the roaring twenties.
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