Rank these three wins in terms of greatness: Marciano over Louis, Holmes over Ali, Lewis over Tyson.

Lennox Lewis' win over Mike Tyson is number one. It was the biggest fight of the three. It was the largest PPV ever to that point. It was for the World Title. Lewis and Tyson were both past their primes. Tyson was dangerous and still demolishing people. Lewis had recently been KOed by Rahman. They brawled at the press conference. They couldn't weigh in together. There were guards separating them during the ring introductions because of fear that they'd start battling before the bell. It was a monster event and competitive for a handful of rounds.

Marciano-Louis is second. Louis was active but hardly at his peak. Marciano was on the rise and approaching or just starting his prime. It was a non-title bout. The action was good for a time, like Lewis-Tyson. But the stakes weren't nearly as high. And Marciano (at 28) was a lot fresher than Lennox, who was only days short of his 37th birthday when he fought Tyson.

Holmes-Ali is last, simply because Ali hadn't fought in years and had nothing at all and shouldn't have even been licensed.

 

Fine post.

 

Holmes-Ali is a distant third I think. Ali was not just shot, he wasn't even a fringe contender anymore. He lasted too long for his own good. Really sad fight and while Holmes just did what he had to, I'm always gonna dislike him for that fight (even though I don't like Ali).

The other two are rather close. I think Tyson was further gone than Louis at that time. Tyson had his last meaningful fight 5 years before and didn't beat anything but fringe contenders at best in between. Louis on the other hand was still one of the best contenders around. Very mush past it but still good enough to beat anyone but the very best, eg. Charles and Marciano. However, Lewis was also past his best, not near-shot like Tyson but clearly not in his prime anymore. Marciano on the other hand was right in his prime. So, you've got a past-prime great beating a near-shot great or a prime great beating a past prime great. I think Marciano's win edges it for me but the other way around is fine as well.

 

Holmes win over Ali dead last. Can't really separate the other two.

 

I feel Tyson was done for after prison. His killer edge was gone and he'd been reduced to a strong HW with a big punch and good chin. Nothing highlights it as much as Botha basically beating him up for most of their match and actually taunting him during it.