Is Fury the best heavyweight of all time?

[lazboy]

Foreman would knock Fury into next week and I like Fury.

Let's talk best HW when Fury has beat AJ, Usyk, Ruiz, Whyte and Parker. Fury needs to clean out the division before this is discussed.

Foreman is 71 years old - I doubt he could beat Fury via knockout, maybe a close points win only.

[BoxFrancis]

Foreman would knock Fury into next week and I like Fury.

Let's talk best HW when Fury has beat AJ, Usyk, Ruiz, Whyte and Parker. Fury needs to clean out the division before this is discussed.

Don’t think he would Fury would play with George would see his punches coming a mile away George is a small man compared to fury. Foreman could only fight fury one way way too slow to even bother Fury.

[Blodhemn]

• Jack Johnson (6′ 0½″ 185lbs)

Ya, the 'giant' was actually more like LHW sized. Comparitively, Joe Smith and Sully Barrera were 6'1 190 and 6'2 187 respectively for their fight.

Also, take a look at JJ's opponents. He won the world HW title from a guy 5'7 and in the 160s on fight day!! That is like someone beating Danny Garcia for the HW title! JJ had loads of these opponents in the 150s-170s, and in fact he only ever won 1 world title fight over an opponent higher than the low 190s, and that was vs a guy inactive 6 years.

Also consider how much hugging JJ did---there would be a hell of a lot of weight to support vs a guy like Fury, and we saw that JJ failed to hang in there and win vs big guy Jess

Personally I think Johnson is one of the most overrated hws ever, this idea that he must be included high up among da elite of the elite on hw atg lists is , his career was circus stuff

Just imagine the scrutiny someone would get today with such a bloated and practically empty record. Tragic figure/life but massively overhyped from story telling.

[Blodhemn]

I agree that it's tough luck for guys who don't get good eras and that you can't give them bonuses to compensate for it, though people can be very selective with that argument. There's a very inconsistent historical fundamentalist here who says a fighter simply didn't have the opposition to be an ATG, and yet then says that it wasn't Jack Johnson's fault he fought circus fights and thus he absolutely must be ranked as top 5 ever

For sure if Fury beats Wilder again (well he already battered him so not sure it means that much to do it again) AJ, and let's say Usyk/Whyte, then he'd easily be more impressive than 'giant' hugging Jack beating middleweights and guys off 6 years. He'd defo be a heavy worthy of discussing historically even though not the best of all time!

Yeah, that's over the top. How many fighters today have the luxury of picking opponents? Canelo, and...?
Different circumstances, but everyone could benefit from that advantage.

[BoxFrancis]

Foreman would knock Fury into next week and I like Fury.

Let's talk best HW when Fury has beat AJ, Usyk, Ruiz, Whyte and Parker. Fury needs to clean out the division before this is discussed.

You really believe that? Robotic Foreman slow and ponderous see his punches coming from a mile away fury would use his 7 inch reach advantage and box his ears off. Foreman’s a small man compared to Fury.

[BoxFrancis]

Prime versions of:

• Muhammad Ali (6′ 3″ 204¾lbs)
• George Foreman (6′ 3″ 217lbs)
• Larry Holmes (6′ 3″ 207½lbs)
• Evander Holyfield (6′ 2½″ 215lbs)
• Mike Tyson (5′ 10″ 210lbs)
• Joe Frazier (5′ 11½″ 204lbs)
• Rocky Marciano (5′ 10½″ 185lbs)
• Joe Louis (6′ 1½″ 200lbs)
• Jack Dempsey (6′ 1″ 188lbs)
• Jack Johnson (6′ 0½″ 185lbs)

Tyson Fury (6′ 9″ 273lbs)

It seems ridiculous, to the point of being utterly bizarre, to think that Tyson Fury might be capable of beating the names included in the above bullet-pointed list, but size really does matter. He’d definitely be very competitive against these fighters.

Even these guys are relatively small in comparison to Tyson Fury:

• Riddick Bowe (6′ 5″ 235lbs)
• Lennox Lewis (6′ 5″ 245lbs)
• Vitali Klitschko (6′ 7″ 247lbs)
• Wladimir Klitschko (6′ 6″ 240lbs)

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think for a second that Tyson Fury is the greatest heavyweight of all time, but I really can’t help thinking that his sheer size would pose an incredibly stern challenge to some of the very best big men to have ever lived.

After all, it’s not as if Fury lacks skill, power, speed, work-rate or a decent engine. He kind of has it all, even if he isn't considered an all-time-great in one particular aspect.

How anyone can have any of them small heavyweights From your first list beating Fury is beyond me. Like you said size matters Furys a super heavyweight. What sets fury apart from all these fighters is his mentality we won’t see anything like it ever again. If Wladimir Klitsckho or Deontay Wilder couldn’t knock out fury there’s not a chance of any of them ‘heavyweights’ you listed are knocking him out.

[DrDuke]

If Fury beats Joshua and then a bunch of top-contenders and do it the same convincingly like he has been doing things up to the date, he'll be the best HW ever. Now he has this potential.

[BoxFrancis]

He’s already there. Does any heavyweight have a better win on there resume than Furys win over Klitschko? Even the wilder TKO was an ATG win

[candyslim]

People have Ali as the goat because of the things he did outside the ring but fury can’t be considered undefeated name a fighter who would beat him past or present?

People have Ali as the GOAT because he fought the best fighters around without ducking anyone and this despite being deprived of his peak years by Uncle Sam. Those best fighters around deserving of their place on the all-time list in their own right.

Until he beats Joshua the jury is out on whether Fury is the best heavyweight active today.

I will concede though that his size - not just his size but his knowledge and ability to use that size to it's greatest effect - allied to his incongruous mobility, make him a mountain to climb for even the best champions of eras gone.

[Loki]

Prime versions of:

• Muhammad Ali (6′ 3″ 204¾lbs)
• George Foreman (6′ 3″ 217lbs)
• Larry Holmes (6′ 3″ 207½lbs)
• Evander Holyfield (6′ 2½″ 215lbs)
• Mike Tyson (5′ 10″ 210lbs)
• Joe Frazier (5′ 11½″ 204lbs)
• Rocky Marciano (5′ 10½″ 185lbs)
• Joe Louis (6′ 1½″ 200lbs)
• Jack Dempsey (6′ 1″ 188lbs)
• Jack Johnson (6′ 0½″ 185lbs)

Tyson Fury (6′ 9″ 273lbs)

It seems ridiculous, to the point of being utterly bizarre, to think that Tyson Fury might be capable of beating the names included in the above bullet-pointed list, but size really does matter. He’d definitely be very competitive against these fighters.

Even these guys are relatively small in comparison to Tyson Fury:

• Riddick Bowe (6′ 5″ 235lbs)
• Lennox Lewis (6′ 5″ 245lbs)
• Vitali Klitschko (6′ 7″ 247lbs)
• Wladimir Klitschko (6′ 6″ 240lbs)

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think for a second that Tyson Fury is the greatest heavyweight of all time, but I really can’t help thinking that his sheer size would pose an incredibly stern challenge to some of the very best big men to have ever lived.

After all, it’s not as if Fury lacks skill, power, speed, work-rate or a decent engine. He kind of has it all, even if he isn't considered an all-time-great in one particular aspect.

You can’t compare fighters from different eras. It’s foolish.

I will also add, Fury is not 6’9. He’s 6’7. Check out the photos next to Wilder and Price. He’s a fraction taller than Wilder and considerably shorter than Price.

[ewenhay]

I agree that it's tough luck for guys who don't get good eras and that you can't give them bonuses to compensate for it, though people can be very selective with that argument. There's a very inconsistent historical fundamentalist here who says a fighter simply didn't have the opposition to be an ATG, and yet then says that it wasn't Jack Johnson's fault he fought circus fights and thus he absolutely must be ranked as top 5 ever

For sure if Fury beats Wilder again (well he already battered him so not sure it means that much to do it again) AJ, and let's say Usyk/Whyte, then he'd easily be more impressive than 'giant' hugging Jack beating middleweights and guys off 6 years. He'd defo be a heavy worthy of discussing historically even though not the best of all time!

Yeah, that's over the top. How many fighters today have the luxury of picking opponents? Canelo, and...?
Different circumstances, but everyone could benefit from that advantage.

Every single Joshua opponent has been handpicked

[PUGLET]

Interesting thread..... I consider myself a fan of Tyson Fury, but prime Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield, Tyson all get inside/mid-range and tear him up, prolly knock him out. Just a question of speed/strength/athleticism vs Fury’s size advantage. Vitali K. prolly does the same.

Just my two cents. Would all be intriguing fights. All that being said..... regardless of what Fury does from here on out.
NO WAY I’d CONSIDER HIM in the top 15 of ATG Heavyweights.

And I’m a huge fan of his. I think he’s great for the sport and beats Joshua easily.

[man]

before the wilder fight i really would
have thought this is a silly question ...

[bigjack]

[BoxFrancis]

Interesting thread..... I consider myself a fan of Tyson Fury, but prime Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield, Tyson all get inside/mid-range and tear him up, prolly knock him out. Just a question of speed/strength/athleticism vs Fury’s size advantage. Vitali K. prolly does the same.

Just my two cents. Would all be intriguing fights. All that being said..... regardless of what Fury does from here on out.
NO WAY I’d CONSIDER HIM in the top 15 of ATG Heavyweights.

And I’m a huge fan of his. I think he’s great for the sport and beats Joshua easily.

How can you not have him in the top 15? Furys two best wins are arguably the two best in hw history. As for Lewis,Bowe,Holyfield and Tyson - Lewis was way to hesitant for me after being knocked out he couldn’t get rid of Holyfield what makes you think he would knock out Fury? Holyfield didn’t punch anywhere hard enough to ‘tear him up. He would of outboxed Bowe using his range and imposing his physicality at times he’s a much bigger man. Of course the Tyson fight would of been class but I’d put my last pound on fury to come through. And for my money if Wladimir couldn’t do anything with Fury then Vitali wouldn’t. Subjective, all good fights.

[BoxFrancis]

before the wilder fight i really would
have thought this is a silly question ...

I wouldn’t of said he was the best previously but I did recognise he arguably had the best win in the history of the division (Wladimir). But the manner of the win vs Wilder and the mentality he went in with after being knocked senseless in the first fight was impressive.

[margaret thatcher]

Interesting thread..... I consider myself a fan of Tyson Fury, but prime Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield, Tyson all get inside/mid-range and tear him up, prolly knock him out. Just a question of speed/strength/athleticism vs Fury’s size advantage. Vitali K. prolly does the same.

Just my two cents. Would all be intriguing fights. All that being said..... regardless of what Fury does from here on out.
NO WAY I’d CONSIDER HIM in the top 15 of ATG Heavyweights.

And I’m a huge fan of his. I think he’s great for the sport and beats Joshua easily.

What is your top 15 bruh?

[BoxFrancis]

Jokes on you if you just completely dismiss it who’s your best? Ali?

[oogiebe]

Jokes on you if you just completely dismiss it who’s your best? Ali?

C'mon, bruh...you're like 12 years old yes?

[Duran1970]

before the wilder fight i really would
have thought this is a silly question ...

I wouldn’t of said he was the best previously but I did recognise he arguably had the best win in the history of the division (Wladimir). But the manner of the win vs Wilder and the mentality he went in with after being knocked senseless in the first fight was impressive.

Best win in the history of the division???
Cmon man, that's ridiculous..maybe the worst heavyweight title fight in history and Klitschko was finished and fight proved nothing but a cure for insomnia..
How can fury be considered the goat when he barely beat a washed up modern day Primo Carnera and beat a guy who doesn't know how to box..
The best today? Perhaps.
The best ever? Not even close

[BoxFrancis]

He ended the longest reign in heavyweight history Wladimir held the titles and was unbeaten for 9 years. Furys the biggest and the best I can’t rate these 6’3 240lbs heavyweights above fury because I know they couldn’t beat him. Just my opinion. Before the rematch wilder was the most devestating hitter in history and know after Furys stepped to him and beat him up he’s a bum who couldn’t box. Near enough every previous hw champion was picking Wilder to win the fight. He ain’t no bum he just came unstuck against an elite level fighter.

[BoxFrancis]

Jokes on you if you just completely dismiss it who’s your best? Ali?

C'mon, bruh...you're like 12 years old yes?

What’s your point?

[oogiebe]

C'mon, bruh...you're like 12 years old yes?

What’s your point?

Just can't take your posts seriously mate. That's all! Cheers!

[oogiebe]

He ended the longest reign in heavyweight history Wladimir held the titles and was unbeaten for 9 years. Furys the biggest and the best I can’t rate these 6’3 240lbs heavyweights above fury because I know they couldn’t beat him. Just my opinion. Before the rematch wilder was the most devestating hitter in history and know after Furys stepped to him and beat him up he’s a bum who couldn’t box. Near enough every previous hw champion was picking Wilder to win the fight. He ain’t no bum he just came unstuck against an elite level fighter.

Ok, being silly is one thing, but being factually incorrect is another. Wlad didn't have the longest reign in HW history.

[BoxFrancis]

Klitschko held the titles for 4,382 days it’s the longest reign in heavyweight history mate.