Ring's Top 10 Heavyweights since 1922.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by JohnThomas1, Feb 25, 2016.


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  1. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Ring published an article, 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years in 2002. Cherry picking between the lines their top 10 Heavyweights are -

    1. Muhammad Ali
    2. Joe Louis
    3. Rocky Marciano
    4. Jack Dempsey
    5. George Foreman
    6. Larry Holmes
    7. Joe Frazier
    8. Lennox Lewis
    9. Sonny Liston
    10. Mike Tyson

    Important to note that i left out Holyfield as his achievements at Cruiserweight add to his rating and therefore clouds his position. P4P he came in between Dempsey and Foreman but he would move a little lower counting Heavyweight feats alone.

    Quite an interesting list and not overly woeful at first view.
     
    JohnThomas1, Feb 25, 2016
    JohnThomas1, Feb 25, 2016
    #1
  2. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    I feel that Marciano (and probably Dempsey) ranks higher in a pound for pound sense than as a heavyweight proper.

    I will say it again. If basing on actual ring performances against quality opponents, it is impossible to rank Dempsey over Tyson unless one is absolutely delusional.
     
    Seamus, Feb 25, 2016
    Seamus, Feb 25, 2016
    #2
  3. gregluland

    gregluland Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Not sure Tyson beat any ATG's except for old old Larry
     
    gregluland, Feb 25, 2016
    gregluland, Feb 25, 2016
    #3
  4. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I don't have a huge problem with most of the characters on this list. Dempsey being ranked as high as #4 is not terribly well justified in my eyes however.
     
    mr. magoo, Feb 25, 2016
    mr. magoo, Feb 25, 2016
    #4
  5. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Which ATG did Jack beat?

    Do you think an old Willard would have had a chance against Tony Tucker or Mike Spinks?
     
    Seamus, Feb 25, 2016
    Seamus, Feb 25, 2016
    #5
  6. Pugilist_Spec

    Pugilist_Spec Hands Of Stone Full Member

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    That version of Holmes would still batter pretty much everyone Dempsey fought, aside from Tunney.
     
    Pugilist_Spec, Feb 25, 2016
    Pugilist_Spec, Feb 25, 2016
    #6
  7. ribtickler68

    ribtickler68 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Spinks, yes.
     
    ribtickler68, Feb 25, 2016
    ribtickler68, Feb 25, 2016
    #7
  8. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Agreed. Looking at the way a 42 year old Holmes humiliated Ray Mercer, I can't see most of those 1920's contenders doing any better. And Mercer was a gold Medalist, undefeated, well managed, well trained, and coming off of some great wins. He was certainly head over heels better than Luis Firpo, Billy Miske or the woeful version of Jess Willard who spent three years retired and working in a rodeo during his time off.
     
    mr. magoo, Feb 25, 2016
    mr. magoo, Feb 25, 2016
    #8
  9. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    It's actually a pretty great list.
     
    reznick, Feb 25, 2016
    reznick, Feb 25, 2016
    #9
  10. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    How do you rate Willards heart and chin?

    His punching style is difficult to decipher, but I would consider his chin special.
     
    reznick, Feb 25, 2016
    reznick, Feb 25, 2016
    #10
  11. BillB

    BillB Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I don't have any problem with the list other than Frazier.
    I don't think Frazier belongs on a top 10 list. I realize I'm outnumbered on this.
     
    BillB, Feb 25, 2016
    BillB, Feb 25, 2016
    #11
  12. fists of fury

    fists of fury Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Is this in a legacy (overall) sense or just a 'who beats who' list?
    In either sense, having Lewis and Tyson so low seems wrong to me.
     
    fists of fury, Feb 25, 2016
    fists of fury, Feb 25, 2016
    #12
  13. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Neither of them ever beat a quality opponent, so surely they'd rate equal by that criteria.
     
    Unforgiven, Feb 25, 2016
    Unforgiven, Feb 25, 2016
    #13
  14. Vanboxingfan

    Vanboxingfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    In Lewis' case, this list was completed before the end of his career. I'm not sure if it included the Tyson victory but it most certainly never included the Vitali victory. I'd be curious to know how much that would have influenced his rankings.
     
    Vanboxingfan, Feb 25, 2016
    Vanboxingfan, Feb 25, 2016
    #14
  15. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Against a 1919 Willard, I see a ****ey-like finish.
     
    Seamus, Feb 25, 2016
    Seamus, Feb 25, 2016
    #15
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