Who of these titlists has Wilder surpassed in terms of accomplishment and status?

Please vote, with multiple choices allowed, but I want to emphasis, this is NOT a head to head thread. I am not implying that Max Schmeling would beat Wilder head to head.

To be fair to Wilder, there are two competing narratives on him. One is that he is a five-year champion with nine successful defenses and the hardest punch since Ernie Shavers. The second is that none of his of the opponents that he has beaten, not one, are world class, and that at least one of his fights was outright fixed. Now that Fury has given him some context, I am wondering how the public as a whole views him relative to other titlists.

I think almost no one considers him an "ATG," but at this point, if his career ended today, how would his accomplishment, status, and perceived excellence stack up against these great-ish, HOF, near-great, or highly notable fighters? I am going to give my synopsis, but you all know them well.



David Haye
A two-division champion, and Valuev, Ruiz, Maccarelli. Barret, Mormeck, Fragomeni and Chisora make a fine record, but some embarrassing losses and loses points for making a pain out of himself with his frequent pull-outs. Notable for providing a credible rival for Wlad.

Michael Moorer
The big win against Holy (when the man had a heart attack), but thereafter it gets thin, and there were some embarrassing losses, including Foreman.

Haseem Rahmen
Sparked Lewis and has a good follow-up win over Corrie Sanders, but LOTS of embarrassing losses drag him down.

Johnny Ruiz
Win over Holyfield, Tucker, Rahmen, McLine, Golota, Johnson, and a number of contenders, but the Tua and Jones loses are humiliating and drag him down. Also known for a less-than-brave "jab and grab" style.

Tim Witherspoon
Very underrated guy, in that he won two version of the title in the eighties, and beat four other titlists in Page, Tubbs, Smith, and Bruno. Also, nearly beat Holmes, and though revisionism has scrubbed it so that Holmes clearly won, at the time there were people saying terrible Tim won. Too bad this guy could not find a nutritionist and stay off the cocaine. Lost winnable fights including a rematch with Smith that some feel was a dive.

Ingemar Johanson
Johanson is generally considered to be a guy that did not have much but his right hand, but his record has terrific with wins over Patterson, Machon, Cooper, Hoff, Neuhaus, Erskine, and London. Even his losses to Patterson were hot for Floyd, and, since Patterson is the only guy to beat him, he actually shares honors with Marciano, Tunney, Bowe, and Lewis as one of the few champs to beat every man he ever fought. Really, just a hair from Patterson, who himself is a low-end great.

Chris Byrd
In my opinion, criminally underrated guy who, despite being a super middle, tallied victories over Vitklit, Holyfield, Tua, McCline, Williamson, and a whole bunch of good lower-end fighters. You can put all the asterixs beside you want, and it is still a spectacular accomplishment. To me, the fastest heavy since Ali.

Ken Norton
Soley based on his jaw-breaking performances against and almost-prime Ali, and throw in Quarry, Young and Bobick. Some embarrassing losses against punchers, and one bum. Unfortunately, won his title in a board room. To his credit, there are a small number of people who think he beat Holmes in their close fight, and most think he is 2-1 against Ali.

Max Schmeling
His title run was a disgrace, commenced when he refused to get up from a low blow and received a DQ over Sharkey. But he is the only man to hold a win over physical prime bomber, has his disputed fights with Sharkey, and also beat Hamas, Stribling, Nuesal, Risko, and Walker. And he should have gotten the shot against Braddock and won the title back. Joe Louis' version of Joe Frazier.

So, there you have it. Who of these second and third tier guys has Wilder surpassed? Everyone knows how I feel about it, and I don't intend to vote or argue a great deal. Thank you for your contribution.