Name best heavyweight boxer of all time

Mister Ali. Period.

 

False.

He drew with John Lester Johnson when he was coming up. Granted, Johnson was a clear level below Lanford and Wills, and lost to both of them; but this result does prove that the Manassa Mauler was willing to break the color line at one point in his career. He was also prepared to fight Wills, but, from what I understand, his manager Jack Kearns nixed that proposed defense.

 

Dempsey drew the color line and so did Tunney. There were so many black contenders during that time too who were worthy of a title shot or even at least a fight.

 

ali

 

Watch Joe Louis fight tony galento then come back and admit Louis was pish

 

I'd put Ali above Lewis, even though I'm a huge fan of both

 

Muhammad ali !

 

Joe Louis

 

I'm glad somebody said him.

I think Louis and Ali are the only good answers to this thread, but I rank Johnson firmly at #3 and find people who rank him 8-12 to be... laughable.

 

Yeah I've read all that stuff too.

I doubt Dempsey had the power to do anything about it himself, but he really did avoid all the top black quality opposition despite public demand (Wills for 3 or 4 years!). Not taking shots at Dempsey the man and his beliefs, but as far as his competitive livelihood is concerned he did draw the color line. And failed to fight the best despite being in a stacked era of African American HW's.

 

I hate this idea that 'when Lewis was on his game he was unbeatable.' Its just not true because he lost twice, to relatively moderate opposition. I could say when Ali, Louis, Tyson etc were on their game they were unbeatable. And no case can be made for Wlad, none.

As I said earlier the only two acceptable answers to this thread are Ali or Louis

 

personally i dont rate boxers head to head, as it is all imagining and guessing what would happen, but my number 1 is ali, 2 is louis.

number 3, most people would say lennox, but in detail it isnt as good as it appears, but it is consistant and has 'names', so i wouldnt disagree with him third.

i think the tiers are a good way to rank them, so in second tier would be lewis marciano holmes foreman, maybe holyfield (great resume)

 

I'd give it to Ali, purely at the opposition he faced. But Lewis could quite easily go down as the best ever. Not my favourite and I didn't like him very much back in the days, but there is no arguing that he had everything in his arsenal. If he was on his game, I couldn't see anyone beating him. Great power, defense, speed and skill.

 

Not one person has even put Marciano on a list. Why?

 

Lennox, Really? Sorry but I have to strongly disagree. His two biggest wins were against a shot to **** Tyson and an Old old Holyfield. His two ko loses came by the hands of two of the worst HW champs of all time. Sure he avenged those loses, but with McCall in the rematch, Lennox could not stop him despite the man having an emotional breakdown.