Top 5, or top 10 heavyweights post-Ali era

Good list. Though I'd be inclined to squeeze Mike Weaver in there somewhere. I think he might belong in there more so than guys like Mercer or Ruddock

 

True and another good call.

 

I think Mac just about nailed it. My only gut reaction as far as changing anything would be to swap Mike & Evander, despite their h2h. I know opinions vary widely on that and there are legit cases to be made in either direction, so not too fussed about it. Otherwise, very, very solid ordering all the way down.

 

I'm a big advocate of Herc, but can't see him any higher than just barely knocking at the door of 15 like you've said and even that seems iffy, not sure he really should be in over Donovan or the Atomic Bull. :think

edit: yeah, just saw Mac's update, somewhere 16-20 works for sure. :good

 

1 - Tyson
2 - Larry Holmes
3 - Evander Holyfield
4 - Lennox Lewis
5 - Wladimir Klitschko

 

I think he rates higher than Mercer, and while he doesn't have a win over Lennox Lewis, his list of scalps runs much deeper than McCall's or Ruddock's. Weaver's record doesn't look pretty on paper. But most of his defeats came either early in his career when he was being used as a build up guy for prospects, late in his career when he was past it, or against the elite of the division in mostly gallant losing efforts.. Among his wins, we have prime versions of John Tate, Gerrie Coetzee, James Tillis, Carl Williams, Johnny Duplooy, Bert Cooper and Bernardo Mercado. He was also arguably robbed against Michael Dokes in their 1983 rematch. He gave fits to a peak Holmes as well. Of all the alphabet champions of the 80's, Weaver was the only member of the lost generation to hold a title for any length of time and defend it successfully. Controversial circumstances is what took it from him. If nothing else, he certainly should rate higher than Ray Mercer and Razor Ruddock. The rest are debatable.