Are you brainstorming or is this your list? John L. was a bare knuckle fighter for the most part. You have Sullivan but not Jeffries? You have Frazier but not Foreman? No Tyson? No Lewis?
I dont even know where to begin. Have you read anything on Sullivan? I suggest the Pollack book for starters. Sullivan owned the division for 6 years wherein his results were the most emphatic of any champion at heavy.
Lennox at #1, and the rest don't count, because they are only Yanks, which is self explanatory. Lennox was never finitely beaten by a fvcking Yank.
I know all about it. I'm sure he was a tough guy but we really don't have any hard evidence to judge him on. I like a good story as much as anybody but remember... it's just a story. I do believe that Sullivan was the best of his day but that doesn't mean that he was one of the best ever. I enjoy reading about him and agree that his moustache was bad ass. He beat Paddy Ryan, Charley Mitchell, and Jake Kilrain among others. They were sloppy bouts in those days, wrestling was allowed, a lot of holding, holding and hitting, they could handle getting knocked down many times because when they got knocked down the round ended (rounds were not always 3 minutes). Still, it was very brutal and the men who participated in boxing back in those days got hurt and sometimes killed. Sullivan was 5'10 1/2" with a 74" reach (that seems a bit exaggerated but who really cares) and no more than 200 Lbs. when in shape. I think Foreman would go thru him like a hot knife thru butter. Hey, but I could be wrong.
Hey, I didn't mean that STFU comment in a bad way LOL Just messing around. I have respect for the old timers... used to defend them all of the time... but I guess I've changed over the last few years. I still respect them but my gut feeling is that many of the old time greats like Sullivan, Corbett, or Jeffries would get beaten badly by many of the more modern greats like Tyson, Holyfield, or Lewis. Hey, it's just opinions... like assholes, everybody has one... and most of them stick!
One of the most watchable ever filmed. Love me some Smokin' Bert. And power. I have heard more anecdotes about his power from guys who have felt it. Dude could bang.
1. Muhammad Ali 2. Joe Louis drop off 3. Larry Holmes 4. Jack Johnson 5. Lennox Lewis 6. Sonny Liston 7. George Foreman 8. Joe Frazier 9. Evander Holyfield 10. Rocky Marciano
Haven't done a list in a long time so here goes- 1. Ali 2. Louis 3. Lewis 4. Holmes 5. Tyson 6. Frazier 7. Foreman 8. Liston 9. Marciano 0. Charles/Walcott
Lewis was koed twice by basically one punch. This has to be counted against him all time in terms of his chin and durability. He is in my top ten but not at the top.