Who’s was the physically strongest out of these three heavyweights?

Strongest in what way ? you mean physical strength ? probably Wladimir Klitschko.

 

Yeah, better precise it in the first post. So in that aspect it's Wlad.

 

Wladmir is obviously the strongest in terms of who can lift more in a strongman type of competition. He has hardly any fat and often manages to outwrestle and manhandle 230+ men in the clinches. Probably does some serious weight lifting to maintain that physique well into his 40's.

Shavers would win if we're comparing functional strength. By this I mean full range of motion doing manual labor that requires muscles the gym can't always develop. Shavers used to do farm work doing things like digging, lifting bales of hay, chopping trees, etc. He also did manual labor in factories/warehouses as an amateur and a pro before he starting making good money. It's a different kind of strength that can make your entire body as tough as an old boot and also develops endurance through constant repetitive motions for hours. Mechanics, painters, and builders also develop this kind of strength. I suspect Shavers grip strength and ability to scrap/wrestle was insane.

Wilder is last in both categories, he has a lanky basketball build and according to his former trainer Mark Breland said Wilder is hard headed and difficult to train. He often slacks off thinking punching power is all that matters and will sometimes skip sparring, jumping rope, hitting the heavy bag, or practice in general. Skipping out on hitting the heavy bag or any kind of strength training will make a boxer weaker overall, not just their punching power. Wilder does have some wiry strength and isn't a weak man by any means, but he also isn't as strong as he should be.

 

In terms of overpowering another fighter in a clinch it's Klitschko and it's not close.

In terms of lifting weights, I've no idea, but I'd bet on Klitschko there too.

 

Best Athelete Earnie Shavers.

 

Wilder really could've been an ATG if he'd gotten into the game earlier and didn't slack off in the gym.

 

These types of questions require strict criteria and definitions.

If we're talking sheer physical strength, then that strength would have to be "as demonstrated" in the ring. Some fighters would be incredibly strong but don't necessarily incorporate sheer strength into their game.

It's often said how strong Liston was. I don't doubt that Sonny was strong, and that strength was demonstrated in some measure in the ring but compare Liston to, say, Foreman. George expressly used his sheer physical strength in the ring - my observations of Liston suggest he didn't use his own sheer physical strength anywhere near as pointedly as Foreman did.

That fact (or more accurately, my opinion) might be upheld to reflect a correlation to Liston's greater possession and utilization of pure boxing skills - as compared to Foreman. If Liston was similarly disposed as Foreman, I would guess that he could shove, maul etc.at least as effectively as Foreman did - but it really wasn't so much a part of Sonny's game.

Even in Miami, while Liston didn't do same, it was Ali who shoved Sonny away on at least a few occasions. Ali was strong but of course it didn't necessarily mean he was stronger than Sonny in all potential.

It's not so difficult to shove someone off who isn't trying to be as physical in kind.

That's why, IMO, Liston is such a great fighter to watch. He kept it very pure, actually boxing his opponent, throwing punches only rather than resorting to any improper holding, shoving or wrestling.

Sonny's true strengths lay in his power and chin which primarily allowed to keep moving forward on his opposition.