Top 50 Heavyweights all time from The Ring 1998 Holiday issue.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bonecrusher, May 4, 2018.


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  1. Bonecrusher

    Bonecrusher Lineal Champion Full Member

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    So this is another old nugget I pulled out of my collection the 1998 Holiday issue of the ring with The Top 50 Heavyweights. Keep in mind this list was made in 1998.

    1. Muhammad Ali
    2. Joe Louis
    3. Evander Holyfield
    4. George Foreman
    5. Larry Holmes
    6. Rocky Marciano
    7. Sonny Liston
    8. Joe Frazier
    9. Jack Johnson
    10. Jack Dempsey
    11. Ezzard Charles
    12. James J Jeffries
    13. Jersey Joe Walcott
    14. Mike Tyson
    15. Gene Tunney
    16. Harry Wills
    17. Sam Langford
    18. John L Sullivan
    19. Max Schmeling
    20. Max Baer
    21. Floyd Patterson
    22. Ken Norton
    23. Riddick Bowe
    24. Bob Fitzsimmons
    25. Joe Jeannette
    26. Jimmy Bivins
    27. Jerry Quarry
    28. Jack Sharkey
    29. Archie Moore
    30. Sam McVey
    31. Cleveland Williams
    32. Lennox Lewis
    33. Earnie Shavers
    34. Jim Corbett
    35. Ernie Terrell
    36. Michael Spinks
    37. Jimmy Young
    38. Zora Foley
    39. Ingemar Johansson
    40. Ron Lyle
    41. Tim Witherspoon
    42. Jimmy Ellis
    43. Mike Weaver
    44. Michael Moorer
    45. Jim Braddock
    46. Tommy Farr
    47. Tommy Burns
    48. Tommy Gibbons
    49. Pinklon Thomas
    50. Michael Dokes

    If anyone wants any more info on each selection each fighter has a pretty extensive right up. Each features
    Career Capsule and then the
    “Why he’s rated where he’s rated”


    Again this is not my list but Ring Magazines from 1998...
     
    Bonecrusher, May 4, 2018
    Bonecrusher, May 4, 2018
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  2. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Can't believe they have Dokes ahead of Page.
     
    JohnThomas1, May 4, 2018
    JohnThomas1, May 4, 2018
    #2
  3. Big Ukrainian

    Big Ukrainian Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Can't believe they have Cleveland Williams ahead of Lennox
     
    Big Ukrainian, May 4, 2018
    Big Ukrainian, May 4, 2018
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  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Cleveland Williams is the real WTF? for me there, yeah. But I don't think it's too bad?
     
    McGrain, May 4, 2018
    McGrain, May 4, 2018
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  5. LD Boxer-Puncher

    LD Boxer-Puncher Well-Known Member Full Member

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    It's pretty bad, in certain areas....

    I mean you'd forgive them taking different era's into account etc, but Riddick Bowe above Lennox Lewis too?

    The mind boggles
     
    LD Boxer-Puncher, May 4, 2018
    LD Boxer-Puncher, May 4, 2018
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  6. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    I love Evander and he was coming off back to back wins over Tyson and partially unifying against Moorer that year... but no. 3 all time?
     
    Jel, May 4, 2018
    Jel, May 4, 2018
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  7. LD Boxer-Puncher

    LD Boxer-Puncher Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I agree with their top 3
     
    LD Boxer-Puncher, May 4, 2018
    LD Boxer-Puncher, May 4, 2018
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  8. Big Ukrainian

    Big Ukrainian Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Well don't forget that it's 98 and at THAT time Lennox yet had his best wins to come (Holy, Vitali, Tua, Rahman 2, Tyson) as well as unifying the belts while Bowe's career was basically over so it's understandable.

    But Cleveland Williams certainly didn't have deep enough resume to rate over Lennox circa 98 (with Mercer, Golota, Ruddock wins among others).

    And not only C Williams.
     
    Big Ukrainian, May 4, 2018
    Big Ukrainian, May 4, 2018
    #8
  9. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Liston has no business over Tyson. He must have had backlash from the "bite fight."
     
    NoNeck, May 4, 2018
    NoNeck, May 4, 2018
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  10. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Lewis was still well and truly in the game which would explain his bad rating. Tyson at 14 is interesting. chok will have an aneurysm over Williams bwahahaha
     
    JohnThomas1, May 4, 2018
    JohnThomas1, May 4, 2018
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  11. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Chokelab will have a heart attack when he sees that :roflmao:

    He rates Brian London above Williams
     
    SuzieQ49, May 4, 2018
    SuzieQ49, May 4, 2018
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  12. LD Boxer-Puncher

    LD Boxer-Puncher Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Of course, that explains it... Completely forgot it was from 98.

    My mistake
     
    LD Boxer-Puncher, May 4, 2018
    LD Boxer-Puncher, May 4, 2018
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  13. Bonecrusher

    Bonecrusher Lineal Champion Full Member

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    Well it seems Cleveland Williams is winning the :duh:risas3::meparto: award so lets see what The Ring has to say.

    Here we go directly from the pages of the Ring

    Career Capsule:
    Won 27 straight to start career, 23 via knockout.. Knocked out by Bob Satterfield in 1954, took a year off then came back to win 12 in a row before losing to Sonny Liston (KO by 3) in '59.. Lost to Liston again (KO by 2) the following year.. Rebounded by winning 16 of his next 20 bouts, including victories over contenders Wayne Bethea (W10) Ernie Terrell (KO7) and Alex Miteff (KO5).. Also fought to a 10-round Draw with highly rated Eddie Machen in '62... Inactive throughout '65 after suffering gunshot wounds... Was never the same again after shooting incident, but reputation and 4 bout winning streak led to title shot against Muhammad Ali (KO by 3) in '66... Other top fighters he beat: Sonny Banks, Dick Richardson, Roger Rischer, Billy Daniels.

    Why He's rated where he's rated:
    In his prime, vicious punching power was enough to beat anybody except future Hall of Famer Liston....
    Take no prisoners style made him open for counters, but extremely popular with fans... Unlucky to be at his best when reigning champion Patterson was ducking leading challengers... Pretty much washed up by the time he fought Ali...


    Well there you have it from The Ring..

    I'm not sold :confundio1::confundio1::confundio1::confundio1::confundio1::crazylick::crazylick::crazylick::crazylick:
     
    Bonecrusher, May 4, 2018
    Bonecrusher, May 4, 2018
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  14. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    That Cleveland Williams rating is abysmal he wouldn’t crack my top 50. Jersey Joe at 13 seems high and no way should be over Tyson at all.
     
    The Long Count, May 4, 2018
    The Long Count, May 4, 2018
    #14
  15. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Holyfield at #3 is okay by me but not when they have Bowe down at #23.

    Personally I'd probably have Holyfield aout 5 places lower and Bowe about 5 places higher.
     
    Unforgiven, May 5, 2018
    Unforgiven, May 5, 2018
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