Top 5 H2H Heavyweights BEFORE 1950?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Nov 3, 2025.

  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    Who are the five most formidable H2H heavys between the 1880s and 1950?
     
  2. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Tunney
    Louis
    Dempsey
    Johnson
    Wills
     
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2025
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  3. GlaukosTheHammer

    GlaukosTheHammer Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Louis
    Jeffries
    Johnson
    Fitz
    Burns
     
  4. Noel857

    Noel857 I Am Duran

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    I have the same 5 just in a different order
    1 Louis
    2 Johnson
    3 Dempsey
    4 Tunney
    5 Wills
     
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  5. White Bomber

    White Bomber Boxing Addict Full Member

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    1. Dempsey
    2. Louis
    3. Johnson
    4. Schmelling
    5. Tunney
     
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  6. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I didn't put mine in order mate just random but if I was doing it in order it would look similar to yours.
     
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  7. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Louis
    Dempsey
    Sullivan
    Johnson
    Charles
     
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  8. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 OFFICIAL THREAD DIDDLER banned Full Member

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    Why not Wills may i ask?
     
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  9. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Good question. I'll think it over.
     
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  10. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I'm giving a top 16 because after Dempsey its kind of a group of candidates for 5th.



    Louis
    Tunney
    Wills
    Dempsey
    Miske
    Fulton
    Langford
    Loughran
    John Henry Lewis
    Braddock
    Max Baer
    Buddy Baer
    Godfrey
    Carnera
    Schmeling
    Gibbons

    Remember its H2H not resume. Charles, Johnson, Bivins and Burns aren't as imposing H2H matchups for ATG HWs. Burns had power but hes the least proven of those 4. He won the belt coming off a MW title loss and Schreck and Twin Sullivan were better HWs then he was beating. As the champion I don't think he ever proved he was a top 2-3 HW. The 19th era champs would all get embarassed. Fitz is a much smaller Wilder with less of all the things that give Wilder a chance to win against the greats.
     
  11. mhudson

    mhudson Active Member Full Member

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    I think any question involving Jeffries H2H has to consider the rule set. While I'm not suggesting he automatically outlasts Dempsey or Louis over a 25 round fight with more prolonged clinching, it's a different variable to consider.

    Going by traditional championship format of 15 rounds, my top 5 would be (in no particular order):

    Louis
    Dempsey
    Tunney
    Johnson
    Wills

    I think Wills over Jeffries is the contentious one, but over 15 rounds, prime against prime, I would favour Wills to outpoint him.
     
  12. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Revised.

    Louis
    Dempsey
    Sullivan
    Charles
    Wills
     
  13. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    I like this list, though there's a good chance John L. could be above Dempsey due to his stockier heavier frame which could likely take more punishment against heavies than Jack's skinnier frame, while also maintaining speed comparable to Dempsey.