That is the million dollar question. The top two are very easy to separate from the rest on paper. Sure you can make a case for a third man in the top two, but you would be betting against the numbers big time. Now as for the third spot, you can make a credible case for many fighters. Jeffries, Johnson, Dempsey, Marciano, Liston, Foreman, Holmes, Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis, and even Klitschko all have their advocates.
My Grandfather had Evander Holyfield at #3. I usually have Lennox Lewis there, but then I hear my late Grandfather's argument, in my head, in the quiet time of the night... The 3rd spot is a tough one for me. I have been known to flip flop at times.
And lately, Oleksandr Usyk. A few years ago I was even seeing Tyson Fury being discussed as a possible #3. At times I have heard Mike Tyson, also. I think whoever finally takes over after Usyk will be the next one.
Larry Holmes, without a shadow of a doubt, Larry might very well be the best heavyweight ever Head-2-Head.
That's just a bizarre list. Dempsey and Tunney especially have no place on any Top Ten list. Marciano should only squeak into a Top Ten by historical impact not by any other measure.
https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/3-atg-hw-survey.684006/ There is always a (global, not individual) fight for third place between Lewis and Holmes. It will be the same here - you'll see.
This is overall, in combines historical significance, H2H, and amount of defenses plus intangibles. 1. Ali - Best career , transcended the sport. 2 .Marciano- Undefeated, amount of HOF fighter he defeated, set the bar for everyone after to try and reach. 3 .Wlad - Amount of Defenses and dominance even at an advanced age, his physicality is tough to match. Very scientific. 4 Louis - Amount of defenses, best combination puncher. He may be high at this rank though as he lost to other great fighters of the era. 5 Dempsey - The man who made boxing explode in popularity, his style and explosiveness was legendary, a real rags to riches story as well. matches well with everyone because he is so unpredictable. 6 Foreman - Fantastic amount of HOF fighters on his ledger, Man fought everyone. Oldest champion of all time, regained the title after 21 years away. The most powerful puncher the division has seen. 7 Holyfield - Absolute fearless warrior who would have beaten Lewis in his prime, regularly fought bigger men and won, has HOF fighters all over his ledger including all styles. Ended the Tyson era. 8. Lewis - His overall blend of Athleticism/size/power makes him a nightmare for everyone, he did lose when he should not have and went out badly under a cloud of cowardice. That said he was dominant during his reign for the most part 9 . Tyson - Will go down as the most exciting fighter in Heavyweight history, youngest champion of all time, his tear through the division was unbelievable, and at his peak was nearly unbeatable. Is was short, but the stuff of legends 10. Tunney - Retired undefeated, began the era of Scientific boxing, tough as nails and was also the Light Heavy Champion. He brought the division forward into the modern era. 11 , 12. 13, 14 is Holmes , Frazier, VK and Liston. 15. 16 probaby Jeffries and Johnson.