I don't think you can make a case for one fighter to objectively be the best of all time. Different eras, different circumstances. Joe Louis and Larry Holmes had remarkable longevity. Ali had the great career defining fights and wins against the odds. Lennox Lewis was a very complete boxer - puncher - athlete and very dominant. On the other hand, Joe Louis lost to Schmeling and beat limited opposition, most would be small cruisers today. Holmes struggles mightily against some limited fighters as well. Ali is now remembered for his increidble skills and speed in his prime, but he needed some luck to get by Jones and Cooper and lost to the limited Norton. Lennox didn't look too good against Mercer, was KO'd twice and finished his career on a lucky note against Vitali. So you can make a case for or against anyone on that list, depending what your priorities are. H2H, on their best nights, Lennox Lewis is the best and beats the other three.
Bet your parents live in the basement of a triplex and your uncle Beppe told you ''Meekia, Pauley, I tell you Marciano is more better than Ali''.
Tyson's chin was questionable? :rofl Razor Ruddock would dissagree. :hey And I dont dont think Holmes has a good enough resume for him to be included in the poll and the likes of Marciano not. Holyfield has a better record then Holmes.
Just a bit of information on the two front runners. here is a resume breakdown of any opponent they faced who had ever sat in the top 10 of the division: Muhammed Ali 43-5-0 (26) Johnson, Miteff, Besmanoff, Logan, Daniels, Avorante, Powell, Moore, Jones, Cooper (x2), Liston (x2), Patterson (x2), Chuvalo (x2), London, Mildenberger, Williams, Terrell, Folley, Quarry (x2), Bonavena, Frazier(x3), Mathis, Blin, Lewis Ellis, Foster, Bugner (x2), Norton (x3), Foreman, Wepner, Lyle, Young, Evangelista, Shavers, Spinks (x2), Holmes, Berbick (37 different opponents who would at one time be ranked in the top 10) Joe Louis 50-3-0 (38.) Everett, Sykes, Toles, Barry, Pareda, Massare, McCoy, Roper, Ramage (x2), Perroni, Brown (x2), Reztlaff, Carnera, Levinski, Baer, Uzcudun, Schmelling (x2), Sharkey, Attore, Pastor (x2), Braddock, Farr, Mann, Galento, Paycheck, Godoy (x2), Burman, Dorazio, Simon (x2), Musto, Baer (x2), Conn (x2), Nova, Mauriello, Walcott (x2), Charles, Brion (x2), Beshore, Agoramante (x2), Savold, Bivins, Marciano (42 different opponents who would at one time be ranked in the top 10)