Who is the biggest name in boxing ever?

Good call on Louis, who certainly deserves a mention.

In my mind there are 4 legit, sport transcending heavyweights that fought over the past 100 years and had monstrous popularity as a result - Dempsey, Louis, Ali, and Tyson. I always wind up ranking Tyson 4th on that list, but I think he serves as a great reminder for current fans who couldn't see just how popular the other 3 were in their own time. From what I've read and seen, as big as Iron Mike is today, the other 3 were bigger.

That's saying something.

 

Purely a function of time and many people from Dempsey's era and the one immediately following dying out. When you draw 100,00+ to your fights and have 10,000 fans standing in Times Square just to receive news updates of what's happening during them, that's huge. He was the king when, in this country, boxing was king.

People outside of 20th century historians may not be as well-versed in who Dempsey is today- but I guarantee you their parents or grandparents, regardless of sporting knowledge, know exactly who he was.

And since the question said "biggest name ever", than yes, Dempsey's name applies. Not biggest name today- but ever. The most popular fighter at a time when boxing was at its most popular makes him an easy call.

 

but he won't be 10 or 15 years from now, that's my point. Without the constant hype machine, MJ is very good but hardly legendary. Pretty much everything he put out after 'Off the Wall' isn't anything you would listen to just for the sake of the music.

 

How do you explain that mj was an inspiration to the many millions if not billions of kids around the world? Everyone from the 80s and 90s who i know wanted to copy him sing and dance.

 

I change my mind in "boxing" the first names that come to mind would be: Rocky-Ali-Tyson-Don King.

 

Ali is that far ahead of the pack it's a non-event.

 

Easy.

1. Ali
2. Tyson
3. Leonard

All the others don't have anything compared to these 3.

 

You must have been living under a rock since 1985.

Michael Jackson hasn't put out a new album since 2001 and has still managed to sell 750 million records.

Michael Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records.

The only musicians who have sold more than him are The Beatles (1 Billion sales) and Elvis Presley (1 Billion sales). Jackson is 3rd with 750 Million, followed by Madonna, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Queen and ABBA (300 Million).

The guy had to move to a desert and wear a mask to escape from the public because he wasn't safe anywhere.

Still, I think he's a weirdo and a pedophile, but he's certainly one of the most famous entertainers of all time. Easily more popular that any boxer including Ali or Tyson.

Show any kid or old lady in the world a picture of those 3 guys (Jackson, Ali & Tyson) and I bet all of them recognize Jackson first.

 

World Wide those three by FAR.