I personally think Max Schmeling has the best win in HW history. It can be argued that Ali was rusty from the layoff, Tyson was Rooneyless and unmotivated and some people flat out just say that Foreman is a big clumsy dope and either succumbed to Ali's larger than life aura or that Ali cheated using some unheralded tactics. Either way, Joe Louis was in prime form when Max Schmeling out boxed and knocked him out in 12. Louis would go on to be undefeated for the next 14 years with a historic 25 HW title defenses under his ledger. It can be argued it's perhaps the greatest win in boxing history.
I went with Muhammad Ali’s win over George Foreman. But in truth, all of those wins were colossal in significance and I can understand how some people might pick some of the other choices.
Schmeling always impressed me because there were nearly no circumstances to truly aid Max. He simply outfoxed Louis from start to end. In most other wins you could argue there was mental, environmental, or camp related factor. Not here. Nonetheless, Foreman-Ali and Frazier-Ali I were of gargantuan significance. Same goes for Tyson-Douglas.
Schmeling. Louis was viewed as unbeatable going into the fight- and then Joe didn’t lose again after the fight for over 11 years.
1. Tyson was trash against Douglas 2. Foreman was severely flawed and not even capable of going the distance. 3. Louis was solid but inexperienced. Frazier over Ali should be called the best win, but even Ali was past his peak. McCall v. Lewis deserves mention. Lewis was still elite for that fight, even if he improved later, and Steward and McCall executed their gameplan.
Ali over Foreman for me. Not normal for a past it HW great to come back and win it all. Foreman over Moorer was a pretty big win too imo and worthy of a mention
A HW who lost the belt then lost another fight doesn’t usually go on to win it again from the best regardless of age. Usually fighters lose their fire after winning it all and being wealthy. Physically speaking only slightly past it.
Probably the best one in that regard, but... Lewis did it while older (twice if the McCall rematch counts) Tyson did it x2 while slightly younger Holyfield did it twice (younger and similar age) Fury did it after a layoff and a draw (similar age) Vitali won a belt while old and after a layoff and Foreman did it himself (old as dirt)
Frazier's win over Ali is the best because to me, Ali is the greatest HW of all time and though a bit past his peak, would've probably beaten any other fighter in history that night. It has the double distinction of best win and also the best fight in HW history, imo.
I wonder if we would know if Joe has having some personal problems or issues in camp or whatever. Could be a lot going on but things back then weren’t reported on the same way you see now. If Tyson-Douglas had been in Dempsey’s day nobody would have made excuses or bought them if they did.