OT: Boxing's top five heavyweights (in their prime) from Ali till today?
- Thread starter john4psu
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Rocky Balboa
Drederick Tatum
Ivan Drago
Muhammad Ali
Bald Bull
In reality, one of the great hypotheticals is how Tyson at his peak would fare in an era littered with greats (like the 1970s). His combination of punching power and hand speed was tough to match, but he wasn't tested the way an Ali was. Tyson never had to dig deep or come from behind to win the way Ali and other greats did.
Drederick Tatum
Ivan Drago
Muhammad Ali
Bald Bull
In reality, one of the great hypotheticals is how Tyson at his peak would fare in an era littered with greats (like the 1970s). His combination of punching power and hand speed was tough to match, but he wasn't tested the way an Ali was. Tyson never had to dig deep or come from behind to win the way Ali and other greats did.
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Boxers are defined by who they beat, and Larry Holmes was washed up when Tyson beat him, and Michael Spinks literally retired after the Tyson fight.
Tyson really only fought one great fighter -- Holyfield. And even Evander was past his prime when they fought.
Makes for some fun hypotheticals. But his resume is awfully slim.
I'd go with Larry Holmes over Holyfield but that's probably because I've spent some time with Larry and he was a good guy.
My Top Five, in order:
1. Ali (by a mile)
2. Smokin' Joe Frazier
3. Foreman
4. Tyson
5. Jerry Quarry (because he bled so magnificently)
1. Ali (by a mile)
2. Smokin' Joe Frazier
3. Foreman
4. Tyson
5. Jerry Quarry (because he bled so magnificently)
Oscar Bonavena was fun to watch. The guy could take a punch with the best of them.
No, no, no!
1.Frazier-no matter, their match up records. !00% tough, and with a heart of gold.
2.Ali-
3Foreman
4Norton
5.Liston
Not a bad list. Norton certainly deserves some consideration. After all, he broke Ali's jaw. Not so sure about Sonny Liston. He had some success before Ali, but the photo of Ali (then Cassius Clay) standing over Liston keeps coming to the forefront each time I think of Liston.
The middleweights deserve their own thread, Wuz. They flat out owned the early eighties. Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas "Hit Man" Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto "Manos de Piedra" Duran. Those were some GREAT fights. That Hagler-Hearns fight was incredible. And short.
1. Joe Louis
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Larry Holmes
4. Mike Tyson
5. Rocky Marciano, George Foreman. Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Larry Holmes
4. Mike Tyson
5. Rocky Marciano, George Foreman. Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis
If look at entire body of work, I would go with Foreman as #1...easily the most powerful and totally transformed himself during his comeback. And the transformation took him from a mean SOB to one of the nicest, most likable guys you could meet. An American original!
"Every time we talk about boxing, some white guy gotta bring up Rocky Marciano!"
Tyson will always intrigue me. I think he didn’t reach his ceiling because he got rid of the best people in his corner. It appeared that his defensive skills eroded the longer time went on after he dumped his trainers.
The guy punched with incredible leverage. His footwork was something you just don’t see from anybody else. Most of his punches started from his feet and just about every one of them was capable of knocking out most opponents.
His biggest liability in the ring was his limited range against tall opponents.
The guy punched with incredible leverage. His footwork was something you just don’t see from anybody else. Most of his punches started from his feet and just about every one of them was capable of knocking out most opponents.
His biggest liability in the ring was his limited range against tall opponents.
I'll put it this way. If in a real fight-for-your-life type of encounter, there's nobody I'd fear more than Tyson. The sheer viciousness of his combos was something to behold.
Constrained by the rules of the ring, I think he had a ways to go to be considered at the Ali/Frazier/Louis level.
No, lived in Bethlehem for 10 years in 80's and 90's and met Larry many times primarily talked fishing. That guy lives his fishing.
1. Ali
2. Joe Louis
3. George Foreman
4. Lennox Lewis
5. Rocky Marciano
5A Frazier, Holmes, Liston
Ive read from various sources that had Eddie Futch not stopped the fight before the 15th round, Frazier could have won as Ali had nothing left in the tank & it was possible he didnt go out for the final round in Manilla … and each guy would be viewed slightly different in boxing history.
Ali- because scoreboard
Foreman- you just can't put Frazier above him if you saw either of their fights
Frazier- as tough as Ali, but not as good
Lewis- and I think this probably under rates him, I think he could have beaten Frazier and Foreman
Marciano/Liston- pick one
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