Perfect Heavyweight

Rocky Marciano.

Heart, guts, punch, chin, work ethic and attitude. Physical qualities are secondary. Perfect record.

 

Ali of the 60s

 

Lennox Lewis. Big, athletic, mean and skilled.

 

No such thing, since even the best heavyweights of all time can be beaten against the wrong style.

 

I would go with Lennox as well.

 

Sonny Liston or Joe Louis.

 

At his best maybe the best H2h. Had he not had those two brutal KOs I’d say so.

 

Those weren't at his best. Those were lazy Lennox. Oceans 11 be damned.

 

I agree with another poster who said there is no perfect heavyweight. But If I had to pick one who I felt came close then it would probably be Joe Louis by virtue of his:

- Skill
- Speed
- power
- accuracy
- ability to finish hurt fighters
- stamina to go 15 rounds
- chin as demonstrated against big punchers
- Tendency to learn from mistakes and always do better in rematches.

Like everyone else he had his weaknesses but I view him as probably the most well rounded heavyweight champion.

 

Great post. I have Joe second only to 60s Ali. I think by the time of the London fight Ali was unbeatable. Completely.

 

However, if we base it on the greatest heavyweight performance, Frazier in the FOTC all the way. None more perfect imo, none more driven, bloodlusting, spiteful yet controlled, seemingly impervious to pain. Undeniable Championship Heart of the highest caliber.

 

Joe Louis is the closest to the claim, Ike Ibeabuchi looked near superhuman from what we saw in his two step ups in competition the way he didn’t flinch from flush shots from Tua was insanity... The way he timed and knocked out Byrd was also a great showing of boxing IQ and legitimate power not my pick but he deserves a mention...

Evander and Larry could beat the most past fighters overall though in my opinion, Larry was more multi dimensional then Ali not a better fighter (not close to me) but less prone to being challenged by fighters akin to Joe Frazier with relentless pressure he seemed to work them over better see his master class against Mercer.

 

He was handled by a past his best Ali in that fight till Frazier’s work rate and endurance took over... He would lose to the best and biggest punchers and akin to Norton would always be a Favorite against the best boxers and counter punchers.

Foreman didn’t break a sweat against him he cannot take the claim as the perfect fighter surely.

 

I don't see the Frazier of FOTC as the same fighter in the Foreman fight. Ali not only brought out the best, but took something out of Joe in their fight (to me, further proof is their second fight, where he almost got ko'd in the second round, completely unlike the FOTC Joe). He was never quite the same again, even though he did collect some nice wins after, plus Ali once again brought out his best in the Thrilla.

I understand if no one agrees with my feelings on Joe. However, they remain immutable. Foreman would have ended up not entirely unlike Mathis against FOTC Joe (slowly chopped down)...even 60s Ali would have lost a closer decision. All my humble opinion.

There has never been such a bloodthirsty, driven, hateful fighter as Joe in the FOTC. Not in the heavyweight champion category. Watch some of the prefight shows, Joe had had ENOUGH of Ali, there was a staggering amount of enmity there. Joe was going to WIN OR DIE. How many fighters since have fought with that kind of attitude? Holy, Holmes (see the Norton fight), Louis (Schmeling II)...maybe Bowe in the first Holy fight (the ONLY time he ever fought that way). Tyson never fought that way (he admitted it on more than one occasion himself), Lewis, Wlad, Fury....no.

Look at Joe's eyes during the FOTC, they tell all, my friend....