Teddy Atlas' top ten heavyweights of all time, do you agree? If not, what is your list??

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mike_b, Sep 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM.


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  1. Mike_b

    Mike_b Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I just watched Teddy's top ten heavyweight list of all time.

    Does anyone agree with this?:

    10 Lennox Lewis
    9 Larry Holmes
    8 Jack Dempsey
    7 gene tunney
    6 usyk
    5 George Foreman
    4 rocky Marciano
    3 Jack Johnson
    2 Muhammad Ali
    1 Joe Louis

    My thoughts are having Evander Holyfield not appear on the list is a little bit disagreeable, unless we break it down some more: a blown up cruiserweight, questionable ped performance, some big losses too... And also not having Mike Tyson on the list was very much expected knowing the way Teddy thinks/ feels about iron Mike. ... Lastly I can't say I would, but where would most old timers add Joe Frazier to the list since he was a major player in the history of hw boxing: nice left hook. Overcame injuries, lots of heart. The list goes on etc etc.

    Also mind you usyk coming in at 6 was kind of a half truth as he Teddy left it open for possibly usyk, so yeah it kinda is true lol.

    What are your thoughts??
     
    Mike_b, Sep 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
    Mike_b, Sep 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
    #1
  2. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Rocky and Jack are way too... high.
     
    ThatOne, Sep 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
    ThatOne, Sep 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
    #2
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  3. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I actually don’t mind the Usyk pick…Tunney was a little short on big fights there. Mine goes something like this
    1) Ali
    2) Louis
    3) Lewis
    4) Marciano
    5) Foreman
    6)Frazier
    7) Tyson
    8) Usyk
    9)Wlad
    10) Holmes

    I see he still hasn’t let the Tyson beef go. I don’t mind the Dempsey and Johnson picks as well I just don’t put pre 30s fighters in. Was almost a different sport
     
    Gazelle Punch, Sep 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
    Gazelle Punch, Sep 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
    #3
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  4. Glass City Cobra

    Glass City Cobra H2H Burger King

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    Johnson is way too high. Nowadays he's lucky to make fringe 15-20. Dempsey is also really pushing it, but you can maybe make a case for 11-15. Either way, Lennox certainly did more than enough to be above Dempsey.

    Tunney doesn't belong anywhere near the top 20, his resume was far too thin at HW to be considered.
     
    Glass City Cobra, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
    Glass City Cobra, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
    #4
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  5. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    One of the worst lists I've ever seen.
     
    Reinhardt, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
    Reinhardt, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
    #5
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  6. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    How much film do we have of Jack Johnson? That's my problem in ranking him.
     
    ThatOne, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
    ThatOne, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
    #6
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  7. OddR

    OddR Well-Known Member Full Member

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    These lists are subjective to a large degree so not going to barrage it but I think Wladimir Kiltschko is a omission.
     
    OddR, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
    OddR, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
    #7
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  8. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hi Mike/
    My thoughts are, Johnson way to high, Marciano also high, Tunney shouldn't be there, Uysk is very good, but not top ten, Lewis is way to low, as is Holmes, Atlas is steeped in boxing, trainer, coach, historian, writer, pundit, so puzzled by his choices and rankings !!.
    stay safe, chat soon buddy.
    Mike.
     
    Mike Cannon, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
    Mike Cannon, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:18 PM
    #8
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  9. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree. Also Usyk.
     
    HistoryZero26, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:50 PM
    HistoryZero26, Sep 10, 2025 at 3:50 PM
    #9
  10. slash

    slash Boxing Addict Full Member

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    shite..

    I won't forget this one.
     
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
    slash, Sep 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
    slash, Sep 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
    #10
  11. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Agree
     
    robert ungurean, Sep 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
    robert ungurean, Sep 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
    #11
  12. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    JohnThomas1, Sep 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
    JohnThomas1, Sep 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
    #12
  13. Steve Fero

    Steve Fero Member Full Member

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    Wow I’m disappointed. He’s supposed to be an expert but apparently doesn’t understand the difference in eras. Joe Louis beating Ali Dempsey beating L Lewis???? This guy may know boxing technique but has no ability to understand the evolution of the sport. Jersey Joe Walcott who refereed Ali vs Liston and fought both Louis and Marciano said no contest Ali could beat any fighter that came before him. He was way better. If there is a person we should listen to would be him who was so close to seeing all of them fight. Also watch Ali Liston 1 Joe Louis was tv color man and said on the broadcast Liston was on the way to being the greatest of all time. Meaning he could have beaten him plus all the others.
     
    Steve Fero, Sep 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
    Steve Fero, Sep 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
    #13
  14. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

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    The Usual Suspects with a Ukrainian slipping into the lineup.
     
    FrankinDallas, Sep 11, 2025 at 6:25 PM
    FrankinDallas, Sep 11, 2025 at 6:25 PM
    #14
  15. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Anyone who includes Tunney in their top ten either needs a lobotomy or just had one. One of the worst, most ill-informed lists I have ever seen.
     
    Seamus, Sep 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
    Seamus, Sep 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
    #15
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