Who is the 3rd best heavyweight of all time?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by OddR, Jul 27, 2025.


Who is the 3rd best heavyweight of all time?

This poll will close on Sep 4, 2029 at 2:52 PM.
  1. Larry Holmes

    39.0%
  2. Lennox Lewis

    27.1%
  3. Oleksandr Uysk

    1.7%
  4. Wladimir Kiltschko

    5.1%
  5. Rocky Marciano

    10.2%
  6. George Foreman

    6.8%
  7. Joe Frazier

    1.7%
  8. Mike Tyson

    1.7%
  9. Evander Holyfield

    3.4%
  10. Someone else not on the list

    3.4%
  1. OddR

    OddR Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Sure we have done this a lot but here it is.
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2025
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  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    That is the million dollar question.

    The top two are very easy to separate from the rest on paper.

    Sure you can make a case for a third man in the top two, but you would be betting against the numbers big time.

    Now as for the third spot, you can make a credible case for many fighters.

    Jeffries, Johnson, Dempsey, Marciano, Liston, Foreman, Holmes, Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis, and even Klitschko all have their advocates.
     
  3. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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  4. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 MONZON VS HAGLER 2025 Full Member

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    Who would you advocate for most strongly old buddy?
     
  5. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    My Grandfather had Evander Holyfield at #3. I usually have Lennox Lewis there, but then I hear my late Grandfather's argument, in my head, in the quiet time of the night... The 3rd spot is a tough one for me. I have been known to flip flop at times.
     
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  6. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Tough one to call but it's Larry Holmes in my opinion.
     
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  7. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    And lately, Oleksandr Usyk. A few years ago I was even seeing Tyson Fury being discussed as a possible #3. At times I have heard Mike Tyson, also. I think whoever finally takes over after Usyk will be the next one.
     
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  8. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 Philippians 2:10-11 Full Member

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    Larry Holmes, without a shadow of a doubt, Larry might very well be the best heavyweight ever Head-2-Head.
     
  9. Maginot

    Maginot Member Full Member

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    Jul 6, 2025
    1. Ali
    2. Marciano
    3. Wlad
    4. Louis
    5. Dempsey
    6. Foreman
    7. Holyfield
    8. Lewis
    9. Tyson
    10. Tunney
     
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  10. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Feb 11, 2005
    That's just a bizarre list.

    Dempsey and Tunney especially have no place on any Top Ten list.

    Marciano should only squeak into a Top Ten by historical impact not by any other measure.
     
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  11. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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  12. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    According to Claressa Shields, she is #3, or maybe #1.
     
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  13. themaster458

    themaster458 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Normally I say Lennox Lewis today I'll say
    Wladimir Kiltschko both deserve it over Holmes imo
     
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  14. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Jan 13, 2022
    What's your general rationale? Thank you.
     
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  15. Maginot

    Maginot Member Full Member

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    This is overall, in combines historical significance, H2H, and amount of defenses plus intangibles.


    1. Ali - Best career , transcended the sport.
    2 .Marciano- Undefeated, amount of HOF fighter he defeated, set the bar for everyone after to try and reach.
    3 .Wlad - Amount of Defenses and dominance even at an advanced age, his physicality is tough to match. Very scientific.
    4 Louis - Amount of defenses, best combination puncher. He may be high at this rank though as he lost to other great fighters of the era.
    5 Dempsey - The man who made boxing explode in popularity, his style and explosiveness was legendary, a real rags to riches story as well. matches well with everyone because he is so unpredictable.
    6 Foreman - Fantastic amount of HOF fighters on his ledger, Man fought everyone. Oldest champion of all time, regained the title after 21 years away. The most powerful puncher the division has seen.
    7 Holyfield - Absolute fearless warrior who would have beaten Lewis in his prime, regularly fought bigger men and won, has HOF fighters all over his ledger including all styles. Ended the Tyson era.
    8. Lewis - His overall blend of Athleticism/size/power makes him a nightmare for everyone, he did lose when he should not have and went out badly under a cloud of cowardice. That said he was dominant during his reign for the most part
    9 . Tyson - Will go down as the most exciting fighter in Heavyweight history, youngest champion of all time, his tear through the division was unbelievable, and at his peak was nearly unbeatable. Is was short, but the stuff of legends
    10. Tunney - Retired undefeated, began the era of Scientific boxing, tough as nails and was also the Light Heavy Champion. He brought the division forward into the modern era.

    11 , 12. 13, 14 is Holmes , Frazier, VK and Liston.

    15. 16 probaby Jeffries and Johnson.
     
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