Who do you consider the best heavyweight of all-time?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008.


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  1. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    Just curious. I limited it to these two names, as I'm presupposing that most have these as #1 & #2, one way or another.
     
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    #1
  2. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    They're too close to seperate in my opinion, but i like Louis' style slightly better so i have him at #1, but Ali has just as much claim to that spot. Both incredible warriors.


    By the way, Rumsfeld, what do you think about Ali not going to Vietnam?
     
    ChrisPontius, Jul 21, 2008
    ChrisPontius, Jul 21, 2008
    #2
  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    It's Ali, by distance, from Louis. It is my opinion that people who have Louis at #1 have made a mistake - i don't think it is that close. Ali is the more skilled on film. Ali has the better wins. They both have losses, they both went on to long. They both dominated the field.

    Ali is ahead in ALL departments apart from longetivty.

    I say this as one of the biggest Louis fans on the site, who isn't a fan of Ali, really.
     
    McGrain, Jul 21, 2008
    McGrain, Jul 21, 2008
    #3
  4. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    As a boxing fan, I try to separate Ali the boxer from Ali the man, though, oftentimes, that is a rather daunting task, given the high-profile figure he was.

    Let us just say that when compared to the service Joe Louis provided for his country, I prefer Louis the person over Ali the person.
     
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    #4
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  5. TommyV

    TommyV Loyal Member banned

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    Muhammad Ali. Not by a huge distance, but clearly enough. I would have him ahead based on ability, although of course Louis' was a big puncher and a very good boxer aswell, on resume, again Louis' resume is very good though, and H2H, again I would rate Louis highly H2H aswell.

    So as you can see, clearly enough but not by a great margin.
     
    TommyV, Jul 21, 2008
    TommyV, Jul 21, 2008
    #5
  6. ChrisPontius

    ChrisPontius March 8th, 1971 Full Member

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    That's the most politically correct post i've ever seen you made. :lol: But i get it.
     
    ChrisPontius, Jul 21, 2008
    ChrisPontius, Jul 21, 2008
    #6
  7. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    :rofl:rofl:rofl
     
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    #7
  8. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    I have recently altered my number 1 from Louis to Ali, and in hindsight, i think i should have done it a while ago. Ali imo
     
    teeto, Jul 21, 2008
    teeto, Jul 21, 2008
    #8
  9. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I pick Louis personaly but I dont think there is a lot in it.

    You could call them 1A and 1B for all practical purpouses.

    Ali defeated better opposition but his record has the scars to show it.
     
    janitor, Jul 21, 2008
    janitor, Jul 21, 2008
    #9
  10. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    I don't disagree with this.
     
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    #10
  11. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    Incidentally, I just made the reverse alteration on my list.
     
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    #11
  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Well 1A has every concievable advantage in terms of legacy over 1B aside from number of defences. This is arguably due, in part, to a political witch-hunt.
     
    McGrain, Jul 21, 2008
    McGrain, Jul 21, 2008
    #12
  13. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    What promoted the change?
     
    McGrain, Jul 21, 2008
    McGrain, Jul 21, 2008
    #13
  14. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    A combination of things, which mostly stem from me getting more recent exposure to Joe Louis.

    But let it be known, my knowledge of heavyweight history pre-1960 is hardly on par with the experts (of whom I believe we have several right here in the Classic Forum) and my overall knowledge pre-1985 has a lot to be desired.

    To be sure, I know quite a bit about heavyweight history, and I know a decent amount about many historical non-heavyweights, but I still do not consider myself an expert by any means, even if I do have opinions on anything and everything. I can concede my own limitations on such matters without regret (especially given I am trying to remedy such).

    I do wish Tomato Can posted here, on an entirely unrelated note. That man knew his ****!
     
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    Rumsfeld, Jul 21, 2008
    #14
  15. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Really? How things are balanced out in this universe aye? Ha!
     
    teeto, Jul 21, 2008
    teeto, Jul 21, 2008
    #15
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