“OK, I probably won't be around for much longer, so here it is - my list of the best* heavyweights of all time: 10. Joe Frazier 9. George Foreman 8. Mike Tyson 7. Evander Holyfield 6. Jack Dempsey 5. Rocky Marciano 4. Lennox Lewis 3. Joe Louis 2. Larry Holmes 1. Muhammad Ali *Taking into account technical ability and achievement. Obviously the list might look a little different if it was based on them fighting each other.” - LARRY MERCHANT
To judge on “technical ability & achievement,” you must really like the former category to find a way to place Tyson above Foreman.
I don't agree with it all. But I like Merchant and I think it's a reasonable and understandable list. Surprised he had Lewis so high (as in I wouldn't have expected him to place Lewis top 5)
To put it in perspective, this list could have been 3 years old and he still would have been in his 90s
I’d have a lot less problem w that. I don’t even think he should be three but I at least get that argument. Having him ahead of Louis makes no sense
Yeah Holmes is too high. Surprised that Tommy Burns isn't on the list as Merchant saw a couple of his fights.