My top 7 heavyweights (from Dempsey on)

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008.


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  1. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    1 Joe Louis
    2 Muhammad Ali
    3 Larry Holmes
    4 George Foreman
    5 Joe Frazier
    6 Rocky Marciano
    7 Jack Dempsey

    (I dont bother trying to rate Jack Johnson and all those real old-timers, for various reasons, so I start with Dempsey)

    This top 7 isn't set in stone but I'm reasonably happy with it. Which three heavyweights most deserve to make up the top 10 ?

    My leading candidates are probably : Holyfield, Liston, Lewis, Tyson, Walcott, Charles, Schmeling.
    And I can think of a few others who arguably deserve in.
     
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    #1
  2. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    I like the list, few minor disagreements but you got the major names on their! i like the inclusion of walcott,charles, schmeling rounding out in your top 15. i do think liston should def be in ur top 7
     
    SuzieQ49, Apr 24, 2008
    SuzieQ49, Apr 24, 2008
    #2
  3. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    Thanks.
    I like Liston and feel his resume is often underrated, and I reckon he'd beat some of the men in my top 7, BUT I'm trying to really stick heavily away from factoring in too much head-to-head judgment (where he might well score well).
    His stint at the top was brief and I DO penalize him for the manner in which he lost to Clay.
     
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    #3
  4. yancey

    yancey Active Member Full Member

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    Liston, Lewis, Tyson. Good list, btw.

    Sonny,

    Not to hijack your thread, but do you believe prime Foreman always beats prime Frazier no matter what, even if the pushing is stopped?

    Personally, I can see a decent possibility of Frazier surviving the early rounds and taking Foreman fairly late.
     
    yancey, Apr 24, 2008
    yancey, Apr 24, 2008
    #4
  5. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    I think a prime Frazier has a good chance of beating anyone, including Foreman.
     
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    #5
  6. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    Personally I wouldn't include Lewis and Tyson in my top 10 and leave out Holyfield.
    I thought about having Holyfield in my top 7. I think his accomplishments are underrated.
     
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    #6
  7. sugarkills

    sugarkills Active Member Full Member

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    Rocky Marciano should be #1. He was the besterest of all-time in the history of eternity.
     
    sugarkills, Apr 24, 2008
    sugarkills, Apr 24, 2008
    #7
  8. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Good list, SJ.

    I've never understood some peoples extremely high ratings of Liston and you seem to agree.

    I feel the number 3-5 spots are all interchangeable. As in Frazier could be ahead of Foreman, Foreman could be ahead of Holmes, and so on.

    But the top two are of course locks.
     
    Russell, Apr 24, 2008
    Russell, Apr 24, 2008
    #8
  9. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    You know, I was just thinking that before I read your post !
    I messed up by putting him at #6.
    But I figured he didn't beat the best opposition. But then neither did Louis, or Holmes (Ali arguably did!). But Rocky NEVER LOST, never came in to a fight fat, lazy or clowning, never got knocked out. He beat everyone up and knocked most of 'em out. Yeah, I should have him at #1 !
    :good
     
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    #9
  10. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    Liston could have cemented his greatness by at least putting up a decent fight against Clay/Ali.
    For whatever reason he failed to do so on two seperate chances, and went out in those big fights quite pathetically. It's that simple, IMO.
     
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    #10
  11. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Yup, others on your list either beat or troubled your number 2 heavyweight, Frazier doing so in the most important of the Frazier/Ali trilogy.

    Points for that.
     
    Russell, Apr 24, 2008
    Russell, Apr 24, 2008
    #11
  12. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I dont mind Liston loseing to Ali, its more in the matter how he went out, Had Liston been out box for 15 rounds for Ali in the first fight. Ok, but quiting leaves something in regards to heart.
    The rematch is of couse worse.
     
    Dempsey1238, Apr 24, 2008
    Dempsey1238, Apr 24, 2008
    #12
  13. yancey

    yancey Active Member Full Member

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    Well, I guess that settles it.

    I mean, you certainly come across as objective. ;)
     
    yancey, Apr 24, 2008
    yancey, Apr 24, 2008
    #13
  14. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    Yeah, that's my take as well.
     
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    Sonny's jab, Apr 24, 2008
    #14
  15. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Ali
    Dempsey
    Louis
    Holmes
    Liston
    Foreman
    Lewis
    Marciano
    Frazier
     
    mcvey, Apr 24, 2008
    mcvey, Apr 24, 2008
    #15
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