Would This Be An Acceptable Order For Top 3?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by GRIFFIN, Aug 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM.


Is this an acceptable ranking?

  1. Yes

    5 vote(s)
    19.2%
  2. No

    21 vote(s)
    80.8%
  1. GRIFFIN

    GRIFFIN "Speak softly and carry a big punch" Full Member

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    1. Joe Louis
    2. Oleksandr Usyk
    3. Muhammad Ali

    Most consider Ali the GOAT with many saying the same of Usyk and Louis, but what if someone put Ali at #3?

    (Not my ranking, just a hypothetical)
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2025 at 1:18 PM
  2. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Many saying the same of Usyk ? Okay then.
     
    imjustasking!! likes this.
  3. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 Philippians 2:10-11 Full Member

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  4. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Could you name the gentlemen's five biggest wins so our fellow posters can have some criteria? Thank you in advance.
     
  5. quintonjacksonfan

    quintonjacksonfan Active Member Full Member

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    Ali beat 3 all-time top ten heavyweights. No heavyweight has as big 3 wins as Liston,Frazier & Foreman
    He also beat 9 of the top ten in the ring magazine top 10 heavyweights ranked in 1963 except for Machen who he never fought
    Then 10 years later he beat all of the top 10 heavyweights ranked in Ring magazines top ten of 1973

    Sonny Liston, Champion

    1. Cassius Clay
    2. Doug Jones
    3. Ernie Terrell
    4. Cleveland Williams
    5. Zora Folley
    6. Eddie Machen
    7. Floyd Patterson
    8. Karl Mildenberger
    9. George Chuvalo
    10. Brian London
    George Foreman, Champion

    1. Muhammad Ali
    2. Joe Frazier
    3. Ken Norton
    4. Jerry Quarry
    5. Ron Lyle
    6. Earnie Shavers
    7. Oscar Bonavena
    8. Joe Bugner
    9. Jimmy Ellis
    10. Chuck Wepner
     
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  6. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Don't know why so many are putting Usyk in among the likes of Ali,Louis, Lewis etc.
    Yes he's a brilliant fighter but he's beaten a crap AJ and an ageing Fury .
     
  7. Dorrian_Grey

    Dorrian_Grey It came to me in a dream Full Member

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    It's all much of a muchness in all honesty. The only people these lists really matter to are those who make them, if you think Usyk is the second greatest HW ever, then keep him there if it makes you happy.
     
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  8. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    It's either:

    Ali
    Louis
    Holmes

    or

    Ali
    Louis
    Lewis
     
  9. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    • Would this be an acceptable order for NBA greats?
    • 1) Allen Iverson
    • 2) LeBron James
    • 3) Michael Jordan.

    • Would this be an acceptable order for MLB greats?
    • 1) Reggie Jackson
    • 2) Willie Mays
    • 3) Babe Ruth.

    • Would this be an acceptable order for NFL greats?
    • 1) Emmit Smith
    • 2) Jim Brown
    • 3) Tom Brady.
    :)
     
  10. Jakub79

    Jakub79 Active Member Full Member

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    Joe Louis's place might be okay, Ali's 3rd place is hardly acceptable, Usyk's 2nd place is highly exaggerated but... it's your list
     
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  11. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Because he is super overrated.
     
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  12. GlaukosTheHammer

    GlaukosTheHammer Well-Known Member Full Member

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    :lol:

    Given the right prompt folks complain about the American belief in American exceptionalism.

    On the other hand don't you dare claim any era is greater than eras of American exclusivity.
     
    themaster458 likes this.
  13. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I will gladly say Lennox Lewis is top three and would be at worst even money against any boxer who ever lived.
     
  14. GlaukosTheHammer

    GlaukosTheHammer Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Lennox Lewis who won his titles in America, has a resume of Americans+Vitali, and whose trainer was American?

    I think you're making my point stronger bud.
     
  15. themaster458

    themaster458 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Remember boxing is at its best when the US dominated and when it doesn't boxing is dead and would never be able to compete with the old times when the US was the only boxing country in the world ;)