Who was it ? In my opinion,it was Larry Holmes. Mike Tyson,Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield all had a foot in the door of greatness,but never quite made it in there. Holyfield was too inconsistant,and losing two out of three against Riddick Bowe goes against him. Lennox's two knockout defeats to two,at best,moderate fighters penalises him. Even though he avenged both losses in style. Tyson was well on the road,but blew up too early in his career. What are your thoughts guys ?
Well had champions had a flaw in there rein for the most part. I think Lewis's problem was the media, he did not have the press backing of a Tyson. I think Wlad could be the "Last" great heavyweight right now perhaps. Though I pretty sure some one will replace him down the line and be great also.
Well, Wlad, if he continues winning, unifies after his brother retires, and retired at say, 2015, would be considered "great" by any conceivable standard except ATG opposition. Nine years on top would be a hard argument to refute, no matter the opposition. How about Vitali? I don't think he's a great, in a sense, because he hasn't had the length of time as top heavyweight as his brother and other great heavyweights. Lewis, Tyson, Holyfield are all considered "greats", btw.
Why goods?? People rag on Lewis's getting ko 2 times, but didnt Louis get ko 2 times also? 1 time, he took a bad beating before going out in the 12th in his prime. Not to mention being drop countless of times. Ali had flaws, Norton and Fraizer pretty much gave Ali nightmares. Marciano though retire unbeating and clean out his era, was drop by lightheavyweight Archie Moore and did have his problems with boxers like Walcott and Charles the first go around. Dempsey sat on his title and didnt defend against the number 1 contender for 7 years in a row.
Lewis was the last one. That Klitschko win is brilliant. Coming back from the dead to take out a hungry lion, who was bigger, stronger, in his prime etc.
No doubt I'll agree with you 5 you 5 years down the line. I've always liked Lennox. I was leaping round my front room when he knocked Donovan Ruddock out.