What will it take to dislodge Ali & Louis from 1&2?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by BlackCloud, Feb 11, 2017.


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  1. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    All good things come to an end but what will it take for the general consensus to rank someone above one or both of them?
    Out of the two, who do you see dropping down the rankings before the other?
     
    BlackCloud, Feb 11, 2017
    BlackCloud, Feb 11, 2017
    #1
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  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    It will take somebody producing a comparable body of work, which would be difficult in the current political climate.

    It would probably have to be a precocious young talent like Mike Tyson’s, who also happened to have a mind-set suited for longevity.

    As for which of them would drop down the rankings first, it would likely just mean that three fighters were trading the top spot, unless this new fighter surpassed them buy a significant margin, in which case they would drop together.
     
    janitor, Feb 11, 2017
    janitor, Feb 11, 2017
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  3. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Boxers will never be romanticized as they were in the past.
     
    Unforgiven, Feb 11, 2017
    Unforgiven, Feb 11, 2017
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  4. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I really can't see it , at least in our life times. As J pointed out it would have to be a tyson like character, who would have the capability to be around a good few years, over a decade I would say. Would have to be at least charismatic, especially i think in this media aware age. Joe Louis was great because of longevity, dominant over his division and the of the time. he was actually champion world war 2. Ali of course because of personality, skills and the division at the time. Both different reasons for there placement in no 1and 2. Perhaps some one may be around the corner to take the top spot but personally can't see it for a long, long time.
     
    Fergy, Feb 11, 2017
    Fergy, Feb 11, 2017
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  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    A really long reign based upon beating the very best in the world pretty consistently would put a third fighter in that mix.
     
    McGrain, Feb 11, 2017
    McGrain, Feb 11, 2017
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  6. emallini

    emallini Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Lennox Lewis already has
     
    emallini, Feb 11, 2017
    emallini, Feb 11, 2017
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  7. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    And this would also depend on there being a strong top 10 within that era, which may be a problem in the current climate
     
    BlackCloud, Feb 11, 2017
    BlackCloud, Feb 11, 2017
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  8. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I don't even agree with this much. Louis didn't have a strong top ten, really, at any time. Well, it depends how you denote strong I suppose.

    Someone up above said "Lewis already did." I don't agree with that, but if he'd gone unbeaten (very hard)? Yeah, I think if he'd have avoided those two KO's he'd have been in the argument for top 1.
     
    McGrain, Feb 11, 2017
    McGrain, Feb 11, 2017
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  9. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    Good point with the Louis era top 10, Lewis on the other hand had a strong talent pool to perform in.
     
    BlackCloud, Feb 11, 2017
    BlackCloud, Feb 11, 2017
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  10. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I don't no why but even if Lewis had never suffered a loss he still wouldn't have taken one of the top spots. I actually think in this day and age pure talent and skill is not enough. At least not to the general public. They would have to have charisma, some thing to tap into the general media a hook so to speak. Of course they would need to be excellent fighters to skilful and dominant. Perhaps a couple of rivalries in there to similar to Ali frazier. Sad to say a bit controversial like... Tyson fury!
     
    Fergy, Feb 11, 2017
    Fergy, Feb 11, 2017
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  11. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Yeah, you're man on the street is always going to say Ali. But then again your man on the street is probably going to rank Tyson above Louis. Because he's more famous, because he's more spectacular (to them). This question has a lot of answers. You seem to be looking for fame affecting the general public rather than quality.

    What's worth thinking about here is the featherweight GOAT or lightweight GOAT. Most of the people you are talking about (affected mainly by fame of the fighters) aren't boxing people really, and they won't have a clue who the GOAT is at these weights. But you get Pep/Saddler Gans/Duran/Leonard from most people who know fighting. Same thing here. If someone does a Lewis unbeaten they might or might not get it from a Tyson fan but people who know boxing will see him there or thereabouts.

    So it depends on what you mean.
     
    McGrain, Feb 11, 2017
    McGrain, Feb 11, 2017
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  12. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    As has been said,a Tyson like skillset plus a more disciplined mindset. Can't see it happening for years,though,if ever.
     
    Stevie G, Feb 11, 2017
    Stevie G, Feb 11, 2017
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  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Tyson to the general public is a damn sight better than he actually was. Because of name value in the media. Heck tyson fury to some people is probably the greatest ever because he got his name all over the papers,!!
     
    Fergy, Feb 11, 2017
    Fergy, Feb 11, 2017
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  14. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

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    surely the now is just the romantic past of the future?
     
    HerolGee, Feb 11, 2017
    HerolGee, Feb 11, 2017
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  15. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    That's deep Herol. I like that, it's true. What ever happens now could be looked at through rose tinted glasses in fifty years time.
     
    Fergy, Feb 11, 2017
    Fergy, Feb 11, 2017
    #15
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