What was the best tournament to determine the new heavyweight champion?

After Rocky Marciano retired in 1956, a five-man tournament was held to determine the new heavyweight champion. This tournament was recognized by both NBA as well as NYSAC and was blessed by the IBC. The results were as follows:

* Bob Baker defeated John Holman by unanimous decision.
* Floyd Patterson defeated Tommy 'Hurricane' Jackson by split decision.
* Floyd Patterson defeated Archie Moore by 5th round KO.

Baker was screwed out of the tournament after winning his first fight. Therefore, in essence, this was a three-man, two fight tournament, while Archie Moore the 'no.1 contender' had to fight just one fight. Patterson, who barely fought at heavyweight until his manager - the ultimate opportunist Cus D'Amato - decided to insert him into this tournament after Marciano was sure to not come back, became the youngest heavyweight champion.

When Muhammad Ali's boxing license was taken away in 1967, the WBA - which had already stripped Ali of his title - organized an eight-man tournament of their own. Joe Frazier - who was the #1 contender, refused to take part in the tournament and would fight for (and win) the NYSAC title instead in the following yar. The results were as follows:

* Jimmy Ellis beat Leotis Martin by 8th round TKO.
* Thad Spencer beat Ernie Terrell by UD.
* Oscar Bonavena beat Karl Mildenberger by UD.
* Jerry Quarry beat Floyd Patterson by MD.
* Jimmy Ellis beat Oscar Bonavena by UD.
* Jerry Quarry beat Thad Spencer by 12th round TKO.
* Jimmy Ellis beat Jerry Quarry by 15th round MD.

This time around, only one title was on the line. But there was an even number of matches with all fights carrying significance and no fighter gaining a starter's advantage. The tournament gained little reputation however, as Frazier was viewed as the true champion.

In 1979, another WBA tournament was to determine the champion for the title soon to be vacated by Muhammad Ali. Don King had some real race-related motivations behind this tournament. The final was held in apartheid South Africa which was viewed by both white and black South Africans (a rarity for the time). The results were as follows:

* John Tate defeated Kallie Knoetze by 12th round TKO.
* Gerrie Coetzee defeated Leon Spinks by 1st round KO.
* John Tate beat Gerrie Coetzee by UD.

The reception for this tournament was cold pretty much like the previous WBA tournament, except for the final. Perhaps because most knew that the real champion was Larry Holmes.

So, which tournament was better?

 

I know of no such tournament. Could you enlighten me more, please?

 

I am not sure if this was a tournament. The fights were arranged for sure, but Tunney's title was won in a single fight between Schmeling and Sharkey.