I know some are saying the best version of Ali is just too small, but I don't think you can ever count him out. He absolutely proved he can take a shot, he was durable, and, of course, his unique attributes are well known. I'm not saying he would win it, but I think you have to at least consider Ali.
I'm also surprised at the lack of support for Smokin' Joe. It was quite apparent in the middleweight thread that there is preference for more skilled, technical boxers on the forum rather than the rougher, more aggressive slugger types.
Ali------------------- --------------------------- Ali Foreman----------- ---------------------- -------------------------------- Ali Frazier------------- ---------------------------- Tyson Tyson--------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lennox Lewis Lewis------------- ----------------------------- Lewis Holyfield------------ ------------------------------------------------------ Lewis Klitchko----------------- ------------------------------ Fury Fury---------------------
Can not believe the number of people picking Lewis,Yes he was a great champion but got knocked out by an average Rahman when in his prime.Would chose Foreman and Tyson over him and Ali would find a way to beat them all
Lennox was a big slow bum with a weak jaw Vitali would kick his ass which he was doing before the cut the only good thing about Lennox was his pugilist specialist catch phrase
I'd have to go with Lewis on the averages, his only defeats were due to complacency and lack of prep, and he avenged both it great fashion. I'd maybe take Lennox to win this tourney 5/10 times. Fury could be a dark horse here, nobody beats him easily, but I think Lennox has too much for him.
Well, I don't think losing a fight is grounds to to dismiss a fighter...especially a heavyweight. Think about it, only one heavyweight retired undefeated...Rocky Marciano. All of the legends, and everyone i listed (bar Fury) lost (a) fight(s). Does the fact Iron Mike lost to Buster Douglas diminish the awesomeness of prime Mike? All these fighters in the series are the absolute best version of themselves. Are you saying the absolute best version of Lennox Lewis isn't up there? He's too big for anyone pre-Ali era, and he fought and beat a lot of the best guys in his era, and would beat all of the current crop, perhaps with the exception of Fury. I think leaving him out would have been a glaring omission.
I sided with Vlad simply because he was the one who actually maintained such a lengthy career. I definitely conceed that many people feel Vitali was the better of the two brothers.
I agree that Lewis v Fury is a very interesting match up. Do you feel like it would be going to points 9 times out of 10?
"...a big slow bum with a weak jaw". I feel that's being a little unfair...you know, just a little...a tad...a smidge.
I did not say you should leave him out he well deserves his place on this list its that i just do not see him winning it.As for his loss if Rathman could beat him then surely some of others could as well. And Ali was undefeated in his prime before his layoff
