The Best H2H Heavyweight Fighter

Tyson doesn't have a strong enough mentality to be a top H2H fighter. He never got up off the canvas once during his career to come back and win. He hit opponents after the bell, fouled opponents, and even bit a chunk out of Holyfield's ear.

 

Good post. I think I rate Liston over Tyson though. Not only does Liston pretty much mow down any puncher alive; he can keep boxers off balaance and disrupt their spped with his long jab. I think I might only pick Holmes and Ali over Liston.

 

It's your opinion obviously but faulting Tyson for never winning a fight in which he was knocked down in is faulty simply because every time Tyson went down in a fight, he was finished before he even fell. His chin ensured that for him to be dropped it took a massive, sustained beating and not a single shot and thus he didn't get dropped like Holmes against Snipes Shavers etc., Frazier against Bonavena, Ali against Cooper, Banks etc. etc.

His ability to push through against Ruddock/Douglas/Lewis etc is enough to show that he was tough imo. And Lennox Lewis never won a fight in which he was dropped, either.

 

I do agree with this part.

 

I personally think if they had a box off, it would be between, Ali, Lewis, Tyson, Holmes and Liston. If pressed, or if I were betting money, I would probably pick a focused Lewis to win.

 

I don't see why you lump marciano and frazier together all the time and attempt to separate Dempsey. Even in terms of finishing ability, it usually took hundreds of punches and MANY knockdowns for dempsey to finish off his foes, while marciano once he had his man hurt usually finished him right off. Also Dempsey was able to stand over his opponent and hit them, just imagine if sonny liston rocky marciano or joe louis got to do that! Dempsey would not look as ruthless a finisher had he had the neutral corner rule his whole career IMO. No doubt Jack Dempsey was a talented ferocious finisher, but he is not above these two IMO. I would rate jack as a puncher over frazier perhaps because he had the two fisted kayo power.

I think Tyson and Louis were clear above Dempsey as punchers just like they are clear above everyone else.

 

I think that you are selling Dempsey verry far short on his finishing abilities here.

Fred Fulton was the No1 contender and he lasted a grand total of 23 seconds and one combination against Dempsey. People who bring up the number of times Fulton was knocked out fail to observe that most of those knockouts were either verry early or verry late in his career. You have a period of several years and 50+ fights where his only knockout losses were against Jack Dempsey and Harry Wills.

Even if Fulton was chinny can you find any historical paralel for a No1 contender getting anihilkated like that?

Willard might have been knocked down multiple times but he was basicaly out on his feet after that first left hook which is why he was unable to react to Dempseys subsequent assults. This is a fighter who some people rank among the more durable heavyweight champions being rendered defenceless by a single left hook that didnt even hit his chin.

A 40+ retired Jack Dempsey knocked out Tony Gallento with a single left hook. Ray Arcel said that it was the most incredible thing he had ever seen.

Dempsey was the kind of fighter who could put you on ***** street with a single opening. In this respect he is verry distinct from Frazier and Marciano regardless of who is the better package overall.

 

In all honesty, it has to be Ali. He has the right blend of size, athleticism, mental and physical toughness and ring intelligence to go up against most anyone and be the favourite.
He's not unbeatable, but he's the most consistent at not getting beaten, if you know what I mean.

 

Ali for me.

Speed and a great chin together is the best combo', plus he has the size.