My Top 10 Heavyweights on a head-to-head basis

Since a lot of the lists you see for top fighters are based on their overall resumes and career accomplishments within their respective eras, I have always wanted to try to come up with a list of the best boxers on a head-to-head basis. So this list is simply my opinion of who was better head-to-head at their absolute peak. Some of these guys had much longer primes than others, but that is irrelevant for the purpose of these rankings. I figured I might as well start with heavyweights. I’m interested in getting people’s opinions of this. I must say this was much harder than I thought it would be. For example, once I really thought it all through, Tyson ended up quite a bit higher than I originally thought he would. And like I said before, that is primarily because I’m evaluating him at his peak, rather than his overall career and resume. Also, I should mention that I’m assuming these fights take place under modern rules with 10 ounce gloves, 12 rounds, etc. Anyway, here it goes:

1. Lennox Lewis
2. Muhammad Ali
3. George Foreman
4. Mike Tyson
5. Wladimir Klitschko
6. Anthony Joshua
7. Joe Louis
8. Sonny Liston
9. Larry Holmes
10. Evander Holyfield

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): Tyson Fury, Riddick Bowe, Vitali Klitschko, Deontay Wilder, Joe Frazier

 

I thought we all accepted Deontay Wilder was the best ever heavyweight? He said it himself really loudly so it must be true.

 

Head to head Vitali certainly tops my list, and should definitely be above his brother

 

Replace Wlad with Vitali. Wlad has zero dog in him. Joshua too high and Mike Tyson I think would have brutalized Foreman. Holmes should be higher. List on geta ****ed up by a number of guys hes ratedbhigher than. Good lost though, I appreciate the time, thought, and effort you put into this. I think prime Tyson maybe #2 ahead of Ali, and thats no disrespect to Ali, behind Hagler hes my favorite fighter all time. Thanks for this brother.

 

Why is Joshua there? He went life and death with ancient shot Wlad.

 

Would have Vitali and Bowe comfortably over AJ

 

D`Amato showed Foreman destroying Frazier and told him it was suicide a fighter with short arms coming forwards vs Foreman, he throws constant punches and would land before Tyson could get past his much longer arms, plus he had a chin that took Lyle`s best shots in a clasic brawl.

 

Bowe was too easy to hit.

 

AJ beat a washed up Wlad and washed upPovetkin. Yeah that must mean he is great . Tyson Fury beat a washed up Wlad by running. Wilder beat up old men and bums. Who did Wlad beat? Great fighters don't get knocked out 3 times by tomato can fighters. Joe Louis fought more bumd than Wilder and most of the fighters Louis foght were 180 or pounds. Vitali fought worse fighters than Wlad. Sonny Liston's best win came against 180 pound Floyd Patterson.

 

Numbers wise George Foreman #1 maybe Lennox #2 Deontay #3

 

Joshua, Wilder and Fury should be nowhere near this list. Tyson is too high and Holmes is too low.
Vitali has to be in the top 10 if Wlad is there.

I do agree that Lennox is the greatest HW h2h though

 

Different weightclasses. Why not add 220 pounds Usyk aswell then?

 

What Bowe that put his belt in the trash can please no.

 

Yeah I admit that AJ was probably the selection I had the least confidence in. This is because he’s the only one I have on my top 10 who is currently an active fighter. My thought process here is that AJ is just now really entering his prime and still has more upside. Also, his height, physical strength, and just overall size make him a very tough match up for a lot of really good heavyweights. But I totally understand your point too.

 

I respect your opinions. You care to take a crack at making your own top 10 H2H list? I would be interested since it sounds like it would be quite a bit different than mine.