The Ipswich Express Top 50 Heavyweights of All Time List

31. Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams

78-13-1 (58 )

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Best Wins: W10 x 2 Frankie Daniels, KO10 Curley Lee, W10 Wayne Bethea, TKO5 Alex Miteff, TKO7 Ernie Terrell, KO1 Alonzo Johnson, W10 x 2 Billy Daniels, KO6 Sonny Banks, W12 Terry Daniels.

Best Losses: D10 Eddie Machen, L10 Ernie Terrell, L10 George Chuvalo.

Noted by many historians as one of the finest Heavyweights to never win the title, "Big Cat" possessed a savage knock out punch. He was overmatched early in his career and was stopped twice by Sonny Liston. In 1965 he was shot by a Police Officer during a traffic stop, resulting in Williams losing 10 feet of small intestine. He was lucky to survive the shooting and was never the same inside the ring.

He was blasted out in 3 rounds when fighting Muhammad Ali for the world title. Many believe that this was the finest performance Ali ever put on. Ranked 49th by The Ring on their all time punchers list.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8J82HQnwVU[/ame]

 

Hope you guys are enjoying it mate! It's all a bit of fun and a trip down memory lane. I think Vitali just sneaks onto my all time European list . When you go through these old timers records, it makes today's champions look pretty thin...

 

30. Vitali "Dr Ironfist" Klitschko

41-2 (38 )

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Best Wins: KO2 Herbie Hide, TKO10 Larry Donald, TKO8 Corrie Sanders, TKO8 Sam Peter, TKO 10 Chris Arreola.

Best Losses: TKO by 6 Lennox Lewis.

Vitali Klitschko is one half of the "Klitschko Brothers" that has dominated the Heavyweight standings over the course of the last decade. Shot to prominence while putting up a brave effort against Lennox Lewis, during which he was ahead by 2 points on all cards before being stopped by a huge cut.

Klitschko won the vacant WBC title by avenging his brothers defeat to Corrie Sanders, stopping the South African in 8 rounds in Los Angeles. He retired for the best part of 4 years due to knee injury, but has reclaimed his throne and has an upcoming defence against Cuban Odlanier Solis. While his level of competition does not stack up to fighters from years gone by, Klitschko has been dominant for an extended period of time.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdC0v8y4axw[/ame]

 

29. Jack Sharkey "The Boston Gob"

38-14-3 (13)

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Best Wins: WDQ13 Harry Wills, TKO12 Mike McTigue, TKO5 Jim Maloney, KO1 Jack Delaney, W10 Young Stribling, TKO3 Tommy Loughran, W15 Primo Carnera, W15 Max Schmeling.

Best Losses: KO by 7 Jack Dempsey, D12 Tom Heeney, L15 Tommy Loughran.

Born Joseph Paul Zukauskas, he took the name of fellow Hall of Famer, Sailor Tom Sharkey. Sharkey rose to prominence by defeating Harry Wills on a foul. At the time Wills was the most avoided Heavyweight on the planet. Following this with a victory over Mike McTigue lead the "Boston Gob" to an elimination showdown with the legendary Jack Dempsey.

In a vicious two way battle Sharkey was dropped by one of Dempsey's famous left hooks. Dempsey followed up with a rip to the midsection that Sharkey claimed was low. The referee counted Sharkey out. It was Sharkey himself who was then disqualified when he met Max Schmeling for the vacant title, the only time the championship has been won on a foul.

Sharkey would have his revenge though, as he beat Schmeling for the title by way of 15 round split decision. He lost it in his first defence to Primo Carnera, a man he had previously beaten.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcxYoN6-roA[/ame]

 

I agree L Train. I've probably overrated him, but I've boosted him up due to him
being dominant for some time. Is his record actually better than the likes of Lyle, Shavers, Young etc? Well I'll leave that for others to decide.

 

Disagree with his high ranking?