Rank the heavyweights, 1955-65

Okay Matt. First thing is I am picking only on what they did between 1955 and 1965. That point isn't clear to me.

1-----Liston
2-----Patterson
3-----Johansson
4-----Machen
5-----Folley
6-----Cooper
7-----Williams
8-----Valdes
9-----Jones
10----Harris

Not making the cut
Baker & Jackson--didn't do enough during this era, which I interpret as beginning on Jan 1, 1956 and ending Dec 31, 1965.
Moore & Johnson--had big wins after 1956, but best work at heavyweight earlier.
Ernie Terrell--was not a factor for most of these years until he won a close decision over Williams in 1963. Followed with his best effort against Folley, but then beat only Foster, never much at heavy, until he won paper recognition as champion by beating an over the hill Machen, followed by Chuvalo. Seems to have impressed many by developing the big man's run, stab, and grab octopus style, but I wouldn't be as inclined to support this style as they are. Most he beat, Folley, Machen, and later Jones, were losing to others and on the way down. Exposed by Spencer and Ramos.
Cleroux--actually a bit better than Chuvalo whom he beat two out of three. More consistent.
London--a gatekeeper type who had some good wins.
Mildenberger--second best Euro continental fighter after Ingo.
Pastrano--better at light-heavy
Peralta--hadn't fought as a heavyweight at all yet through 1965.

 

Liston
Patterson
Moore
Ingo
Harold Johnson
Ernie
Folley
Machen
Williams
Valdez/Baker tie

 

1- Liston
2- Patterson
3- Ingo
4- Terrell
5- Machen
6- Folley
7- Mildenberger
8- Valdes
9- C. Williams
10-Cleroux
11-Chuvalo
12-A. Moore
13-Cooper
14-B. Daniels
15-Pastrano
16-DeJohn
17-D. Jones
18-Harris
19- Miteff
20- Rischer

 

1. Liston
2. A. Moore
3. Patterson
4. C. Williams
5. Machen
6. Johanssen
7. Terrell
8. Cooper
9.Mildenberger
10. Chuvalo

 

Over the 10-year period from 1955 to 1965, other than Ali and Marciano, I think the top heavyweights were probably:

1. Sonny Liston
2. Floyd Patterson
3. Ingemar Johansson
4. Eddie Machen
5. Zora Folley
6. Ernie Terrell
7. Cleveland Williams

And the final three could go to any number of fighters. I'll go:

8. Harold Johnson (nearly unbeaten during that 10-year run)
9. Archie Moore (truthfully was more of a gatekeeper after losing to Patterson)
10. Nino Valdes (managed to string together several name wins - C0ckell, Erskine, Richardson, London, DeJohn twice and McMurtry.)

Hell, Nino Valdes beat so many British heavyweight contenders during that period if he'd become a British citizen he may have won a Lonsdale belt. (kidding)

Also considered Willie Pastrano, Hurricane Jackson, Pat McMurtry, Mike DeJohn, George Chuvalo.

 

I can see knocking Cooper out on the basis of his lack of durability and especially tendency to cut.

But if I did, Terrell is not going to fill the vacancy. I would go with Harold Johnson.

I am just not into Cephalopoda boxers.

 

Between those timelines Sonny Liston beat
DeJohn
Valdes
Patterson x2
Folley
Machen
Harris
Williams x2
Besmanoff
5 of those are on your list yet he is not.
Liston would also be favourite to beat the others .
Cokkell had 3 fights during that timeline and lost all three by stoppage yet you place him at number 3! He went unranked in that decade that should be a big clue!
Likewise Bonavena did nothing during that period to justify him being ranked.
Mathews had 4 fights his only scalp of any consequence was a washed up Charles.
Cooper,[11 LOSSES IN THAT TIME ]over Terrell?NFW!
MARTIN? MARTIN WHO?
You must be," hearing the voices," again!