Ultimate All-Time HW Tournament

Let's say we have a time machine and the absolute 16 best prime heavyweights ever enter a single-elimination tournament, where the fighters are matched this way : #1 vs #16, #2 vs #15, #3 vs #14, #4 vs #13, etc.

In the subsequent rounds, the highest ranked take on the last ranked, using the same method until one man remains standing !

Here's my initial ranking, followed by the matchups and my conclusions about the outcome of the tournament. All fights are scheduled for 15 rounds with no three knockdown rule.

Feel free to comment or do your own tournament


1. Muhammad Ali
2. Joe Louis
3. Larry Holmes
4. George Foreman
5. Lennox Lewis
6. Sonny Liston
7. Jack Dempsey
8. Jack Johnson
9. MIke Tyson
10. Rocky Marciano
11. Joe Frazier
12. James Jeffries
13. Evander Holyfield
14. Riddick Bowe
15. Gene Tunney
16. Ezzard Charles


ROUND 1


1. Muhammad Ali
16. Ezzard Charles


Ali UD 15

In a rather scientific jabbing and light boxing contest, Ali wins a confortable UD, knocking down Charles with a right cross in the middle rounds. The faster, bigger, rangier and more resistant fighter wins here. Charles exceptionnal boxing IQ isn't enough here, far from his 175 lbs days.


2. Joe Louis
15. Gene Tunney


Tunney Dec 15

The upset of the tournament. Tunney moves well and boxes his way to a close verdict, finalizing the Conn exploit to the very end. Louis never really finds his rythm and sometimes appears slow footed against the savvy Fighting Marine.


3. Larry Holmes
14.Riddick Bowe


Holmes KO 12

Very interesting matchup in which Bowe size, reach, power and boxing skills (for a big man) represent a threat to Holmes early. Holmes trails in the scorecards before Bowe slows down in the later rounds. Holmes finally boxes on the outside and finds the target almost at will from the 9th round until the end. Speed, heart, toughness and stamina prevails.


4. George Foreman
13. Evander Holyfield


Foreman KO 5


Unfortunately for him, Holyfield cannot resist slugging it out with the absolute beast prime\young Foreman was. Too much size and power to handle here.
In a memorable war, Foreman prevails not without seeing a lot of leather in his face.


5. Lennox Lewis
12. James Jeffries


Lewis Dec 15

In a pretty lopsided boxing lesson, Lewis wins a careful and calculated duel ala David Tua's fight. The jab and the reach are two majors weapons to overcome. Jeffries has difficulty getting inside and is more prudent than expected after having tasted Lewis powerful right hand in the first rounds.


6. Sonny Liston
11. Joe Frazier


Liston KO 3

Very bad matchup for Frazier as Liston is big, strong and fights well from the inside and the outside. The reach difference is just insane here. Liston's heavy jab, murderous hooks and uppercuts makes it for a short night. Frazier's chin is solid but not bulletproof against top punchers. I like Frazier's chances if the fight goes beyond the 6th round but I don't expect it.


7. Jack Dempsey
10. Rocky Marciano


Dempsey TKO 8 (ref stoppage on cuts)

A real tossup.. Logic says Marciano with edge in chin and punching power. However, the sum of Dempsey skills\attributes can beat that. Mobility and natural quickness gives advantage to Dempsey in that classic slugfest. The longer the fight goes, the better are Marciano's chances to catch Dempsey.


8. Jack Johnson
9. Mike Tyson


Mike Tyson KO 3


Another headscratcher here and both guys winning by KO is a possible outcome. Let's say that Tyson is very explosive, is a fast starter and that Johnson seems to have enough of the qualities required to beat Tyson.. range, boxing skills, crisp right hand, physical and mental strenght, ability to handle him in-close.. but Johnson may lack the rock solid chin and the natural agressiveness to do the trick. The Galveston Giant may be too passive in the early going and Tyson decks him for the upset.



ROUND 2


1. Muhammad Ali
14. Gene Tunney

Ali SD 15

In a hotly contested fight, Ali rallies from a deficit on the scorecards to win a narrow decision. Tunney defensive mastery and ability to time Ali's jab make him a threat each and every time. Tunney can't hurt Ali and gets outpunched.


3. Larry Holmes
9. Mike Tyson


Holmes KO 11


Holmes legendary heart gives him the nod here, after two trips to the canvas in the first 5 rounds. Tyson can floor him but can he finish a prime Larry Holmes ? Holmes surviving tactics (backpedalling, grabbing, pushing, jabbing) and of course his versatile right hand takes over from the 6th until the stoppage.


4. George Foreman
7. Jack Dempsey


Foreman KO 4

As good as Dempsey may be.. speed, agility, chin, power, stamina, ferociousness, I can't see him KO the mighty Foreman. The size difference tells the story here. Dempsey pummels Foreman at moments but end up inconscious in the 4th, running into a formidable uppercut.


5. Lennox Lewis
6. Sonny Liston


Liston KO 8

Liston's reach, jab and power spell trouble for the fragile chin of Lennox Lewis. Lewis can't hold Liston off him and cannot avoid the hammer jab. Lewis usually beats punchers, plodders but Sonny is another kind of animal.




SEMI FINALS


1. Muhammad Ali
6. Sonny Liston


Ali TKO 11

Liston can't change history here. Ali foot speed, strenght, movement will always trouble Sonny. After a few early scares, the logic outcome happens as the great Ali confuses gradually his opponent into submission.



3. Larry Holmes
4. George Foreman


Holmes KO 11


The Easton Assassin understands he's gotta run the first 4-5 rounds in order to survive the onslaught. Foreman floors Holmes but Larry shows amazing heart to bring Foreman in deep waters. A prime Foreman is nearly unbeatable but the cagey Holmes can pull it off. Another classic fight.



FINALS


1. Muhammad Ali
3. Larry Holmes


Holmes SD 15

Ali beat Charles and Tunney early in the tournament but this time, the test is tougher. The fastest HW jab ever (Ali) vs the best HW jab ever (Holmes). In a pretty strategic affair, Ali's speed and footwork advantage are neglected by Holmes capacity to exploit Ali's low hands. Holmes can also trouble Ali with his jab and throw the occasional body punch. A real tossup but I feel Holmes can win 6 out of 10.


THE AFTERMATH

This kind of tournament is very subjective and many matchups are too close to call. Holmes could've been knocked out by a few opponents and Ali could've won it all. I feel the best head-to-head attributes to win this kind of tournament are: jab, defense, speed, heart, toughness, stamina, chin. All other things being equal, those qualities are hard to beat.

 

I tend to agree that Ali is the better fighter but I think Holmes has the exact tools to trouble him and make it a close fight. The split decision isn't for nothing..

 

Tyson could beat Holmes.. but not Bowe, sorry. Holmes would never slug it out like Holyfield did in the 1st fight.