Greatest Heavyweight Of All Time At Their Peak

A valid line of question.

I have personaly championed the coloured champions, and even have a sticky with my name on it.

Even so, I think that the colured heavyweight division was a wasteland in the year that Jeffries won the title. In Jeffries first year as champion he beat Fitz, Sharkey and Corbett, and they were probably the three beast available challengers on the planet. That was a good start to his title reign.

I have championed the case of Denver Ed Martin. He was seen as the heir aparent in some circles before Johnson beat him.

Even so I have to say that if Jeffries had defended his title against Jack Johnson after Jack Munroe, then many would have given Johnson as much chance as Munroe.

 

Martin was hyped in the press.

If Johnson had not beat him, then he might almost have been a Harry Wills figure. He would at least have been on a par with Gus Ruhlin or Tom Sharkey as a challenger.

 

To answer the question of the thread, I voted Ali (schocker). But there are several plausible candidates IMO. It all depends on where you set the limit for "peak". For example:

If Tyson's peak for some reason is set after the Spinks fight, then he looks really good. Same thing if Liston's peak is set after the second Patterson fight (which may just be a tad more plausible). And if Louis' peak is said to have commenced sometime after the first Schmeling fight (which certainly is plausible) then he looks very good as well. Dempsey actually has a good shout as well, as has Johnson. Marciano and Jeffries had very strong peaks as well, but perhaps lacked that crushing superiorty. More had to rely on outlasting their opponents.

Lewis, I'm not so sure of. He was starched at least once at his peak. That will hurt you.

 

When was McVey at his best, and how good was he would you say?

 

FOTC Frazier could be considered more... maybe the Holmes that fought Cooney too.

 

Jeffries was the Mike Tyson before Mike Tyson, in regards to how awesome he was thought to be.

 

Gotta be Tyson...

 

If it's H2H I'd probably pick Lewis, although Tyson and Ali, could be in the mix.

 

He was starched at least once in his prime, not his peak. By definition he would have to have won the fight for it to be peak. That would likely mean either the Ruddock or Golota fight, or the rematch against Rahman.

 

I think his peak was 2000: Undisputed champ, squashing Grant, Botha AND Tua, then the Rahman fight seemed like a step backwards. Lennox proved in the rematch what he should've done in the first fight. So yeah, I say he was at his zenith.

 

Always loved Marciano for his work ethic...and his "kill or be killed" attitude...
..he was a fighter...pure and simple...he wasn't in there to do anything else...

 

I cannot vote until I know the criteria for "greatest".

 

Let's keep it simple, shall we: Who do you feel was the most impressive heavyweight at their peak?

 

Ali legacy, Tyson h2h.