My top heavyweight year by year 1970-1999

I have to agree with all this. Can't argue, maybe with Weaver in 1980 but I see why you placed him at the top. And maybe Holyfield in 1997 after beating Tyson and Moorer over Lewis beating McCall by DQ, Akinwande by DQ and Golota by KO. That's a tough one but I lean towards Holyfield.

 

Really interesting, but I have to put Holyfield at number one in 91, Mike was already showing a difference in tactics (most of which didn't do him a whole lot of favors outside of having well contested matches against a guy who soon after got ko'd in 2 by Lennox Lewis).

Weaver in 1980...definitely an interesting idea. I just can't see that. That might have been Holmes' peak year, his head to head best imo.

I like most of your list!

 

I like his choice for 1991. It's what most people felt at the time too. 2 wins over the #2 contender over Holyfield beating Foreman and struggling with Cooper.

 

What he means is that he considers Weaver's victory over Tate and Coetzee as better than Holmes over Zanon, Jones, LeDoux and the corpse of Ali....not that Weaver would beat Holmes H2H. Tate was extremely highly rated and his claim has heaps of merit.

 

So in short @Stevie G is simply making a resume based list year by year and rating the top heavyweight off it.

It's a truly fascinating idea. Reputation means nothing.

 

Holyfield should get 1997

 

Interesting idea. I might slide McCall in place of Foreman in 94 for beating a young Lewis, but I can see how a win over Moorer could be considered more valuable at the time. Kind of a down year surprisingly.

 

Excellent list mate
Always strange to see George Foreman top of the list in the mid 70 s and the mid 90 s.
Like when is that gonna happen again?!!

 

I like this thread mate heres some different options to try and get a little debate going.

1976 = Ali had wins over Young and Norton although they were close and controversial, Foreman had wins over Lyle in a real struggle and beat a faded Frazier again. I would say this one is debatable considering Foreman had already lost to Ali previously and was coming off a lay off. Ali was also still the champion during this period where as Foreman didn't hold a belt.

1994 = McCall had wins over Lewis, Holmes, I think that's a better resume than Foreman's win over Moorer.

1997 = I'd still go for Holyfield wins over Tyson and Moorer are better overall.

 

Oh was it 1995 ? i stand corrected then but still McCall over Lewis is a pretty big win especially in the context of what Lewis went on to achieve.