BoxRec

What Heavyweight Champs had the most impact outside of the ring? By this I mean what champions were so socially significent that people who were not even casual fans of the game were concerned either pro or con about them and their careers? I 've come up with these three, although they were easy choices:

1. Jack Johnson. The first Black Champ and the fact that he married white women when that sort of thing just wasn't done, but, man, he did it!! His fight with Jeffries was the Ali-Frazier I of the time. The whole country took interest and the outcome caused race riots.

2. Joe Louis. The whole country rallied behind him for the second Schmelling fight and he still remains a beloved figure.

3. Muhammad Ali. The draft. The name change. The Frazier fights. What more needs to be said.

After listing the heavies that you think make the list feel free to name those of the lighter weights as well.

3, Ali boom-a-yee, not to be forgotten by all people in Africa.

4, Mike Tyson, everytime he went to trial or jail (plus earbiting).

5, Ingemar Johansson, for beeing swedish.

WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT ALI made the most impact outside of the ring and continues to do so.

thats not to decry the impact of Jonhosn and Joe Louis, totally agree they are right up there.


At a lighter weight for me Michael Watson.
blokes a constant inspiration.

With out a doubt Joe Louis.

Tyson biting a guys ear c'mon who does not know about that?

{amateur} wrote:Tyson biting a guys ear c'mon who does not know about that?

not having a go at you amatuer but.......
THATS APPLAUDABLE IS IT?
A REASON TO BE REMEMBER, BEING A FREAKIN CANNIBAL.

Sorry but bloke should NEVER have been allowed back in the ring after that.
Complete shambles.

i'll go with joe louis.

dempsey might belong in here , as he (via tex rickard) was involved in the first million dollar gate. plus, his career coincided with the era of the most flamboyant sports writers...and hyperbolic journalism in general.....which made him a colorful figure in a most colorful era..and considered by many to be the link between the pioneer greats...sullivan..fitzsimmons..etc and the ushering in of the so-called "modern era." a lot of notoriety for being labeled a slacker in wwI so there's the sociological angle. although he was a big draw at the gate he he wasn't really well liked by the public untill after his defeats by tunney.

his new york retaurant was virtually a "must visit" for even the most casual follower of boxing. unlike others who put their name on a restaurant and seldom appear there, dempsey was present most of the time and was the real draw.....greeting customers and signing autographs ( i have one) and being a most congenial and approachable host.

Joe Louis

He is the reason why the Army became desegregated. He was the catalyst for change.

Plus, when Jackie Robinson got in trouble for refusing to give up his seat in a military bus it was Joe Louis who called FDR to get the charges dropped.

With no Joe Louis MANY heroes of the 20th century would not have had a chance!

No question, Louis was (and is) the man.

i didn't list my reasons for picking joe louis.....but zojo has given some excellent ones...and there are many others too. i think maybe one had to be around during his days to fully appreciate how he was such a major figure.