Rate Each Heavyweight Title Reign By How Respected the Champion Was At the Time

Yeah, I know... so why ya telling me? lol

Ellis and not even Frazier (at first) was seen as a legit champ for obvious reasons.

 

As for Norton... Yes, for about a minute he was viewed by many as the best HW in the World.

In September of 1976 most people who were not judges in the third Ali vs. Norton fight felt that Norton beat HW World Champ Ali.

In March of 1977 Young beat Foreman and Foreman retired.

In November of 1977 Norton won a split-decision vs. Jimmy Young. Young had lost a questionable decision to Ali in April of 1976.

After the Young fight many considered Norton the best.

Here's why-

1. Foreman had retired

2. Ali was slipping and many felt Norton was 2-1 vs. him anyway

3. He had a win over Young... who had beat Foreman and in the eyes of many beat Ali as well.

The fact that L. Spinks beat Ali in February of 1978 didn't change much. When Spinks ducked Norton to fight Ali again (the rematch was in September of 197eight), Norton was the clear choice as the best HW and was proclaimed the WBC HW Champ.

Holmes beat Norton by split-decision to win the WBC belt in June of 1978 and was quickly viewed as the best HW. It was set in stone when he stopped Ali (who had come out of retirement) after 10 rounds in 1980.

 

I thought we were talking about guys who became clearly the best HW in the World at some point. You can make a case for Norton, but it was short lived and it was partly by default.

Tyson is a great choice. Going into the Douglas fight nobody thought Tyson would be beat anytime soon.

I mentioned Baer because after he beat Carnera everybody looked at him as the man to beat... it was short lived.