Ranking HW's based on H2H in a no rules cagefight.

Less serious post, I thought it might be interesting to try and rate HW's on who would win in a cage fight with no rules apart from no nut shots or weapons (basically a street fight but with no option to run away) This can be bare-knuckle or gloved,
In this scenario, I think a prime George Foreman ends up on top, besides his size and power, his fine grappling background, great reflexes, chin, and long guard techniques are perfect for a fight of this nature.

I think a lot of guys from the earlier days would fare well due to the importance of grappling in the sport as well as the smaller glove sizes and fighters overall being far more active than those now. Jack Johnson, Jim Jeffries, Tom Sharkey, and Sam Langford are among those I favor. Maybe Fitz?

Jack Dempsey had a good understanding of different BJJ-Esque grappling and wrestling techniques as shown in his US Military hand-to-hand combat book. Assuming this knowledge was not learned after his Boxing career, I believe this helps him greatly.

Along with previously mentioned names, I think guys like Sonny Liston, Mike Tyson, Rocky Marciano, David Tua, Cleavland Williams, Lennox Lewis and perhaps Joe Louis and Deontay Wilder all do quite well. I bet Tony Galento does surprisingly well too.

I think guys like Jim Corbett, Gene Tunney, Max Schmeling, Ezzard Charles, Floyd Patterson, Muhammed Ali, Ken Norton, Spinks, and Evander Holyfield, don't do so well in this fight environment. Max Baer has the power and chin, but in such a brutal fight I think he lacks the willpower. Fred Fulton has the power, but a questionable chin. Tyson Fury is a question mark, though I think he ends up too hittable in the small cage, Guys like Sharkey (Jack), Jersey Joe, Ron Lyle, Shavers, Holmes, Ruddock, and Klitchkos are all question marks for me

 

Basically what I think, though I think Foreman ends up on top in this environment. His skills are underrated and his grappling and longguard techniques play well into this type of fight (and his chin).