My best pick of Top-20 "Heavy" champs from 1887-2011. WORD!

However, by the same logic, those old wags had never seen a prime Ali, Foreman, Tyson, Holyfield or Lewis. Meanwhile, we good films of every champion from Johnson onward. I think a lot of those writers were reacting to developments in the sport (and its immense societal impact) as much as they were the actual talent they beheld. Dempsey's record and performances against what must be considered lackluster Heavyweight talent just doesn't hold up well under modern scrutiny. However, he and his style ushered in a fantastic era of sporting that infiltrated all strata of society, magnifying his actual abilities... or so I believe.

 

I am not talking about rating the fighters after 1962 below the writers report in 1962. Just accepting the placement of the historic heavies before 1962 we should use the opinon at the time in 1962.

 

I still think time gives a certain perspective to those rankings.

Ranking Dempsey ahead of Louis is a real stretch by any standard.

 

Dempsey is ranked high on the "head-to-head, at his peak, and on his very best day" standard.
Reasonably.

 

By that context, perhaps. By quality of opposition, quality of title reign, quality of title performances, longevity... not.

 

Cool list

I love the top 4 minus Holmes, but a great solid list.

 

why are Lewis & Vitali so high? great fighters but they are should not be over Holyfield/Tyson/Frazier

I'm a Bowe fan but I don't think he is top 15

 

Johnson did nothing to rate that high, let alone the top 6. A very weak title reign with inconsistent results.

You can't pick a year and a fighter like "Bowe 92" without allowing "Ali 66" or Dempsey 19", that is just faulty, inconsistent logic.

Bowe wasn't that good. He had an entertaining series against Holy but struggled against Tubbs, Coetzer and Golota. And ducked Lewis like a yellow dog.

I like VK, but #7? Really? His bro's resume is much deeper.

This seems a list more driven by sentiment than logic.