I don't know if this had been posted before, apologies if it has. Over the last few days there has been alot of debate about the top HW's and how they would compare against HW's of different era's.
So the question is: Rank your top 10 HW of all time and then rank them based on how you think they would do against each other.
On a previous post I said I thought Marciano was a better champion then Lewis but I think Lewis would beat him. Anyway what do you all think? My top 10 has changed alot after the discussions on this forum over the last fw months. I 've learned quite a lot!
Top 10 HW's v Top 10 HW's Head to Head
Top 10s tend to change but in terms of achievement/ability(athletic/technical/mental)/longevity my top HWs looks something like this.
Ali
Johnson
Louis
Holmes
Dempsey
Foreman
Frazier
Holyfield
Marciano
Liston
In head to head terms I favour defence, stamina and a solid chin. I think champs who do well are Ali, Johnson, Holmes and Tunney. Louis's speed, power and accuracy crushes just about all offensive minded fighters. I just feel his footwork/footspeed lets him down against the movers.
I also think Walcott and Charles had the speed, skill and punch to do well in head to heads but they could be KO'd.
The jabs and power of Bowe and Lewis make them tough opponents for anyone. Tyson would undoubtedly blow away a few early and maybe upset some of the top champions but some of the smart boxer/punchers and defensive fighters would frustrate him and unpick him piece by piece.
Jeffries, Dempsey, Marciano and Frazier would wage some epics against the movers but might be susceptible to Foreman and Liston.
Often though, until fighters actually face one another the way the styles make the fights is largely unknown.
Ali
Johnson
Louis
Holmes
Dempsey
Foreman
Frazier
Holyfield
Marciano
Liston
In head to head terms I favour defence, stamina and a solid chin. I think champs who do well are Ali, Johnson, Holmes and Tunney. Louis's speed, power and accuracy crushes just about all offensive minded fighters. I just feel his footwork/footspeed lets him down against the movers.
I also think Walcott and Charles had the speed, skill and punch to do well in head to heads but they could be KO'd.
The jabs and power of Bowe and Lewis make them tough opponents for anyone. Tyson would undoubtedly blow away a few early and maybe upset some of the top champions but some of the smart boxer/punchers and defensive fighters would frustrate him and unpick him piece by piece.
Jeffries, Dempsey, Marciano and Frazier would wage some epics against the movers but might be susceptible to Foreman and Liston.
Often though, until fighters actually face one another the way the styles make the fights is largely unknown.
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bill.lockhart
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 249
- Joined: 01 Nov 2005, 11:40
Head to head
That's a pretty good asessment Ezzard. I don't know if I agree with your rankings to a tee, it's pretty difficult to do. Ali & Johnson would probably stand the best chance of being top of the list. I don't think their is one guy that could beat all the rest. A guy like Tunney might have stood higher for the same reasons that Ali & Johnson do. Louis had everything you need but foot speed & you have Holmes up their too. He took a better rap than Lennox Lewis. All in all, good choices. Rocky's the guy that could really shake things up, here though. I admire his heart so much. I agree he would have trouble with Foreman & Liston. I,m not saying he could win, but never count this man out. No referee ever did.