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

Janitor made no mention of Max Baer or anyone else. Regardless Louis was also a substantial 2-1 favorite over Max.

I've only pointed out that Ali had been in with someone better at the exact fight stage Janitor said he wouldn't be in with someone like Schmeling. Ali was CHAMP at this stage. Now i am hearing reasons why this isn't somehow logical.

Length of time is only one variable. Bouts are more important to me. If Ali was fighting more frequently he would have improved more quickly.

No-one said Joe didn't fight tougher guys at some earlier stages than Ali.

I'm sure if Ali was raced along at Joe's rate he would have been a different fighter at these stages.

So you are saying Ali wasn't Superman and it would take Superman to achieve this yet Joe Louis did.

Both guys were super talents. Joe has that insane longevty and Ali has an insane record vs top 10 opponents including noticably better top end victories than Joe.

You can argue strongly for either, both H2H and status wise. I take Ali overall but have no problem with the other viewpoint.

 

Ali's later era was certainly superior. It's also pure speculation that Ali would not have handled Joe's opposition at Joe's rate.

 

I would suggest that only three men stand as clear all-time number ones in their respective divisions: Wilde at Fly, Robinson at Welter, and I would propose Ali at Heavy.

 

Joe Louis never fought Ingo or Patterson. Ali wouldn't have been put in with someone like Schmeling prior to winning the title. That's what we're referring to, pre-title bouts. Louis' resume in that respect blows Ali's out of the water and it's highly likely based upon Ali's performances prior to Liston that he wouldn't have been able to maintain his 0 if he fought the type of guys that Louis did before winning the title.

I feel like there's either a miscommunication or misunderstanding about what exactly I'm saying.

 

Brown Bomber

 

Rocky Marciano

 

That is both an excellent and a very thought-provoking post.

 

Going to sit this one out, I think I've done this one a few times too many already...

 

Bear in mind that we are discussing who was superior relative to their era, not who was better factoring in the differences between their eras.

We both think that Ali's era was superior, but if it turned out that it wasn't, then that would hand the edge decisively to Louis!

 

Joe Louis for me is the greatest all around fighter. He was the hardest punching combination puncher ever & beat all types, rematched tough fights & always improved & fought all sizes,shapes & shades. He had longevity, defenses & dominated

 

Ali's era was certainly better tho Joe's isn't as bad an many seem to think.

I may have lost my way but when i discuss the best heavyweight ever i definitely include the quality of opposition.

Again one can pick either and be in a fine place.

 

Tyson Fury: Talents and skills combined.

Height. Reach. Weight. Strength. Power. Speed. Chin. Toughness. Coordination. Reactions. Technique. IQ.

He has it all.

 

I now apologise for previously bumping this thread as the quality of the content is becoming watered down.

 

Secretly you're bursting with joy inside

 

LoL