Well, this is my first thread. Throughout heavyweight history, there are some times when there is a single fighter who defined that era and was seen (even if not necessarily is the case) as the best. Well, I'm not sure if I got it right, but correct me if I'm wrong. There are some gaps here and I feel that no single fighter dominated that era. But in some eras, I don't have enough knowledge to make the list. This do not necessarily correspond to lineal champions. For example, Wlad only became that in 2009 but was recognized as the best as early as 2006. HEAVYWEIGHT ERAS 1. Before 1892, Sullivan 2. 1892-1897, Corbett 3. 1899-1905, Jeffries 4. Johnson, 1908-1915 5. Wills, 1916-1918 6. Dempsey, 1919-1923 7. Louis, 1938-1949 (after the Schmeling fight) 8. Marciano, 1951-1956 9. Patterson, 1956-1962 10. Liston, 1962-1964 11. Ali, 1964-1967 12. Frazier, 1968-1973 13. Foreman, 1973-1974 14. Ali, 1974-1978 15. Holmes, 1978-1985 16. Tyson, 1986-1990 17. Holyfield, 1990-1992, 1996-1999 18. Lewis, 1999-2004 19. V. Klitschko, 2004-2005 20. W. Klitschko, 2006-Present As you can see, there are gaps, as I felt there were no one dominant heavyweights during those times. Well, does anyone agree with my list and their corresponding dates?
Lewis was the best since he beat Ruddock. He had two career losses, Holyfield has two losses to Bowe alone, who was crapped on by Lewis in the Olympics. Lewis dominated some good or at least dangerous fighters, Holy had to go life and death against elite opposition, rarely KO'd opponents in shape.
As for Holyfield, yeah, I think so. I'll fix it. As for Lewis, well, he announced his retirement in 2004 not 2003, just like Marciano, I ended his dominance in '56, when he announced his retirement, not his last fight, which was 1955. Same with Vitali. He lost his titles after he announced his retirement in 2005, even if his last fight was in 2004.
Fair enough, I just think Lennox Lewis had no intention of defending his titles again after Vitali, he was just waiting till the last minute when he was threatened with being stripped of his belts and promptly retired while still holding them.
I think this is debatable. Dempsey did not fight the two best heavyweights of the early part of this time period(Greb and Wills), and lost badly too the best heavyweight of the later part of the heavyweight period(Tunney)..He also did not fight from 1923-1926. I think Harry Wills should be mentioned alongside.
Whatever you think of Dempsey not fighting Greb or Wills he was considered the dominant champion by most people which this thread is about. I think Liston was considered number one earlier and Riddick Bowe, while only between Holy 1 and 2, was seen as dominant.
Liston 1960-1964. Although I think by 1958, no heavyweight in the world stood a chance against Liston.
Then should we change it to 1919-1923? Dempsey didn't even fight from 1923-1926..why should he get credit for 3 years off?
I disagree. Willard didn't even fight for 3 years during this time. Harry Wills, was beating hall of famer after hall of famer, fighters who would have trashed willard had they been given the chance. Wills belongs in the top spot here.
Well, he didn't fight in 1917, and 1918, but it was the time of the US participation in World War I. Did he enlist? Was he drafted? If not, then I agree with you. During those same years Wills was very active. What years should I give Wills? As for Dempsey, well, he didn't fight for three years, so I think I'll end it on 1923. Fair enough? As for Liston, didn't he become undisputably dominant only after beating Patterson in 1962? Thanks anyway for the comments.
You did a great job putting it together... I would say Wills from 1916-1918 Yes. But in 1960 he cleaned out all the major contenders in the heavyweight division like Eddie Machen, Zora Folley, Cleveland Williams, and Roy Harris. Plus in 1959 he beat Nino Valdes and Mike DeJohn. 1960 was a big year for Liston.
Thread starter; "Throughout heavyweight history, there are some times when there is a single fighter who defined that era and was seen (even if not necessarily is the case) as the best." Quote: Whatever you think of Dempsey not fighting Greb or Wills he was considered the dominant champion by most people which this thread is about. Mattdonnellon Then should we change it to 1919-1923? Dempsey didn't even fight from 1923-1926..why should he get credit for 3 years off? Why he should is a different topic, he did, that's the point.
