please don’t take this the wrong way. My favourite all time heavyweight is Holyfield. I’m just interested what everyone thinks. I think tyson fury, Wladimir and Vitali are 100% the top3 but what about after that? Jerry quarry Rocky Marciano Jack Dempsey Gene Tunney my favourite old boxer Tommy Morrison Let’s rank them and add your own fighters that I’ve missed off.
From a purely historical perspective, Marciano, and no one else is close. Unlike Dempsey, Marciano fought the best talent available. He was undefeated at retirement (Yes the competition wasn't great but the fact is he did. ) Do I think he defeats the Kleickoes brothers? Probably not. (An extreme size disadvantage, he wasn't defensively sound) But on a pure talent perspective, Jerry Quarry was probably the most talented white fighter, but lack of focus, and fighting in the most talented era in heavy weight history was his issues.
Dempsey for me!I think a prime version of him beats everyone else on your list and inside the distance!
Tyson Fury top 3? Farking What!? Have you only been watching boxing for the past 3 years or something?
Wlad. Most title fights. 3rd most consecutive wins in title fights, fought the best competition, ducked no one. And from the moment his brother tore his knee up in 04 until he lost to Fury he was unquestionably the best fighter in his division. That’s 11 straight years. Before Wlad nobody is in the running until we get to Marciano. His record speaks for itself and his title defenses were good. He wasn’t ducking anyone. Tunney could of laid claim but he retired with a short body of work at heavy while he was peaking. Dempsey was the most exciting and arguably the most talented. But his title reign was subpar. Too many long layoffs including one for 3 years. And not fighting Wills (who I think Dempsey would of defeated) hurts. Then it’s Jeffries - really great resume and like Dempsey had he fought just Johnson in 1905 and won, he’d be right in the top 3 mix of all time. He crossed the color line and made quality defenses. That one loss destroyed his legacy. Head to head different story as someone line Vitali would have to be considered and even someone like Povetkin would move up significantly if you count the wba regular belt.