The Ipswich Express Top 50 Heavyweights of All Time List

He might have been, but he put a lot of **** up his nose, like so many others from the Heavyweight ranks of the 80s. He had a lot of talent, that's for sure.

 

43. Ingemar Johansson

26-2 (17)

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Best Wins: KO5 Henry Cooper, TKO13 Joe Erskine, KO1 Eddie Machen, TKO3 Floyd Patterson, W12 Brian London.

Best Losses: KO by 6 Floyd Patterson.

The Pride of Gothenberg, Sweden, Johansson lifted the title from Floyd Patterson, crushing him inside of 3 rounds. Johansson dropped Patterson a total of 7 times in that round. Inge owned a devastating right hand, known as "Ingo's Bingo".

Johansson had a reputation as a lazy trainer and entered the first Patterson bout as a 5-1 underdog. Patterson knocked him cold in the return, setting up a thrilling rubber match. Johansson dropped Patterson twice in the first round, before being sat down himself. He then received the full count in the 6th round. He managed to earn himself one last top shelf win, beating Brian London in 1963 before finally hanging up the gloves.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOs896uunsM[/ame]

 

42. Michael Moorer "Double M"

52-4-1 (40)

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Best Wins: TKO4 Alex Stewart, TKO5 Bert Cooper, W10 Bonecrusher Smith, W12 Evander Holyfield, W12 Axel Schulz, TKO12 Frans Botha.

Best Losses: KO by 10 George Foreman.

Michael Moorer was the first southpaw boxer to hold the world Heavyweight championship. Began his career as a Light Heavyweight before stepping up to Heavyweight. His brawl with Bert Cooper is one of the best fights of the 1990s with both men touching the canvas.

Moorer beat Evander Holyfield by a close decision after hitting the canvas in the second round. He was easily outboxing George Foreman in his first defence before running into a crushing right hand, resulting in him being counted out.

Moorer recaptured the IBF portion of the title by defeating Schulz in Germany, making a couple of successful defenses. Was eventually relieved of his title by a rejuvenated Holyfield and could never again recapture his past form.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdRXFNHNqlE[/ame]

 

41. Jimmy Ellis

40-12-1 (24)

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Best Wins: KO1 Johnny Persol, TKO9 Leotis Martin, W12 Oscar Bonavena, W15 Jerry Quarry, W15 Floyd Patterson, W10 George Chuvalo.

Best Losses: TKO by 12 Muhammad Ali, L12 Ron Lyle, L10 Joe Bugner, TKO by 9 Joe Frazier.

Began an amateur career after watching his friend lose to a fighter named Cassius Clay. Ellis began his career as a Middleweight, fighting the likes of Hurricane Carter and George Benton, before stepping up to Heavyweight, under the tutelage of Angelo Dundee. Ellis had previously written a letter to Dundee, asking him to train him. Served as a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali and won the WBA portion of the title by outpointing Jerry Quarry for the title.

Made a successful first defence against Floyd Patterson before being rolled by Smokin Joe Frazier in the 5th round. Ellis fought in the greatest era the division has ever seen and had good success, despite being the smaller man in nearly every one of his fights.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1uBdw2cEJg[/ame]

 

Moorer was interesting. He went from being a wrecking ball who wanted to tear people's heads off, to a safety first boxer, who often appeared uninterested in fighting. He was a bizarre case to say the least.

 

40. Michael "Jinx" Spinks

31-1 (21)

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Best Wins: W15 x 2 Larry Holmes, TKO4 Steffan Tangstad, TKO5 Gerry Cooney.

Spinks was the first reigning Light Heavyweight champion to win the world Heavyweight title, which he did by defeating Larry Holmes over 15 rounds. Trained by the legendary Eddie Futch, Spinks stopped Holmes from equaling Rocky Marciano's 49-0 record. The rematch was a much closer fight, with Spinks winning a split decision many thought should have gone the other way.

He defended his IBF version against Steffan Tangstad, blowing him out in 4 rounds and was then stripped of his title. He then smashed Gerry Cooney in 5 rounds before facing Tyson for the undisputed title. Although Mike owned the 3 belts, it was Spinks who was viewed as the linear champion. Tyson blasted Spinks out inside of a round, and he never boxed again. Michael and his brother Leon were the first brothers to win the Heavyweight title.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-3sWpOAAgk[/ame]