Top 5 H2H Heavyweights BEFORE 1950?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Nov 3, 2025.


  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

    7,324
    9,042
    Dec 18, 2022
    Who are the five most formidable H2H heavys between the 1880s and 1950?
     
  2. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    15,933
    33,370
    Jan 14, 2022
    Tunney
    Louis
    Dempsey
    Johnson
    Wills
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2025
    swagdelfadeel likes this.
  3. GlaukosTheHammer

    GlaukosTheHammer Boxing Addict Full Member

    3,099
    2,273
    Nov 7, 2017
    Louis
    Jeffries
    Johnson
    Fitz
    Burns
     
  4. Noel857

    Noel857 I Am Duran Full Member

    10,187
    13,279
    Mar 24, 2019
    I have the same 5 just in a different order
    1 Louis
    2 Johnson
    3 Dempsey
    4 Tunney
    5 Wills
     
    swagdelfadeel and Dynamicpuncher like this.
  5. White Bomber

    White Bomber Boxing Addict Full Member

    4,488
    3,006
    Mar 31, 2021
    1. Dempsey
    2. Louis
    3. Johnson
    4. Schmelling
    5. Tunney
     
    swagdelfadeel likes this.
  6. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    15,933
    33,370
    Jan 14, 2022
    I didn't put mine in order mate just random but if I was doing it in order it would look similar to yours.
     
    swagdelfadeel and Noel857 like this.
  7. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    62,405
    47,568
    Feb 11, 2005
    Louis
    Dempsey
    Sullivan
    Johnson
    Charles
     
    swagdelfadeel and Melankomas like this.
  8. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 OFFICIAL THREAD DIDDLER Full Member

    1,005
    1,192
    Mar 8, 2025
    Why not Wills may i ask?
     
    Melankomas likes this.
  9. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    62,405
    47,568
    Feb 11, 2005
    Good question. I'll think it over.
     
    swagdelfadeel likes this.
  10. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,108
    4,415
    Jan 6, 2024
    I'm giving a top 16 because after Dempsey its kind of a group of candidates for 5th.



    Louis
    Tunney
    Wills
    Dempsey
    Miske
    Fulton
    Langford
    Loughran
    John Henry Lewis
    Braddock
    Max Baer
    Buddy Baer
    Godfrey
    Carnera
    Schmeling
    Gibbons

    Remember its H2H not resume. Charles, Johnson, Bivins and Burns aren't as imposing H2H matchups for ATG HWs. Burns had power but hes the least proven of those 4. He won the belt coming off a MW title loss and Schreck and Twin Sullivan were better HWs then he was beating. As the champion I don't think he ever proved he was a top 2-3 HW. The 19th era champs would all get embarassed. Fitz is a much smaller Wilder with less of all the things that give Wilder a chance to win against the greats.
     
  11. mhudson

    mhudson Active Member Full Member

    567
    775
    Nov 4, 2022
    I think any question involving Jeffries H2H has to consider the rule set. While I'm not suggesting he automatically outlasts Dempsey or Louis over a 25 round fight with more prolonged clinching, it's a different variable to consider.

    Going by traditional championship format of 15 rounds, my top 5 would be (in no particular order):

    Louis
    Dempsey
    Tunney
    Johnson
    Wills

    I think Wills over Jeffries is the contentious one, but over 15 rounds, prime against prime, I would favour Wills to outpoint him.
     
  12. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    62,405
    47,568
    Feb 11, 2005
    Revised.

    Louis
    Dempsey
    Sullivan
    Charles
    Wills
     
  13. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

    7,324
    9,042
    Dec 18, 2022
    I like this list, though there's a good chance John L. could be above Dempsey due to his stockier heavier frame which could likely take more punishment against heavies than Jack's skinnier frame, while also maintaining speed comparable to Dempsey.