This seems to be like pulling teeth, but I'll give it one more try. If you had to give this list a grade from A to F, what grade would you give it. No one agrees with all the placements, but is this a reasonable list or a terrible one?
If I had to grade it, I would grade it a C. Marciano was a champ in an era with no superstars ala the 1970's (Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Quarry, Shavers, Holmes etc). Tyson was great, but not great enough to be top 10. Frazier may be too high, Johnson maybe too low.
Marciano Dempsey Louis These three were greatest Tyson Charles Tunney (although his short time as champ can make him lower) Walcott Jeffires Sullivan (would not win against most modern champs, but he bridged gap between bare knuckle era and glove era) Holmes Most overated--Ali
If televison was at it has been since 1970's, the fighters of Marciano's era would be way bigger, much more known. 70's guys were not great bunch, but well promoted. Lyle was slow as molasses, Shavers lost almost every time he fought a top contender, and Norton was awful agianst any hard hitter. Foreman fought worst fight ever of any champ against Ali in Zaire.
This is all personal preference but here is my top 10. 1. Muhammad Ali. 2. Joe Louis. 3. Jack Johnson. 4. Jack Dempsey. 5. Joe Frazier. 6. George Foreman. 7. Larry Holmes. 8. Sonny Liston. 9. Riddick Bowe 10. Evander Holyfield.
I'm still waiting for Old Fogey to reveal that this list was made by a 7 year old girl and laugh at everyone who thought it was reasonable.
Well i said "maybe": a lot of people have it that way. I would rank them about equal. Tyson's reign was indeed a lot more impressive, but Holyfield had a longer succesful run and looked better in defeat. You say head to head Tyson is better vs the field than Holyfield. Maybe, maybe not. But mind you, Holyfield beat Tyson pretty badly, he knocked out Douglas in 3 rounds while Tyson lost just about everyone round (except for the 6th & 8th) to him enroute to being knocked out. Holyfield also performed better against Lewis. I understand this comparison is not entirely fair as Tyson was older against Lewis than Holyfield, but Lewis wasn't impervious to father time either; he retired one fight later. Of course, Tyson blew Stewart out in one round who gave Holyfield some trouble and he would've easily destroyed Moorer who beat Holyfield, so that kind of evens it out.
Here my personal list in comparison: 1. Joe Louis 2. Muhammad Ali 3. George Foreman 4. Rocky Marciano 5. Jack Johnson 6. Joe Frazier 7. Larry Holmes 8. Lennox Lewis 9. Sonny Liston 10. Jack Dempsey
It is interesting to me to who made this, but it certainly won't be laughable. I'm going to do another thread to expand this idea a bit.
.I consider his age in winning the title an incredible feat..almost disturbing..My list dont care if you think its horrible
1 Louis 2 Ali 3 Marciano 4 Johnson 5 Dempsey 6 Holmes 7 Jim Jeffires 8 Lewis 9 Fraizer 10 Foreman perhaps. Mostly base on his comeback as oldest heavyweight champ.