6. Jack Dempsey (66-6-11)
“The Manassa Mauler” was not only a great fighter, but he was incredibly popular during his day with the public. Dempsey’s aggressive style won over fans and critics, and his ability to knock opponents out with either hand would make him dangerous to anyone else on this list Dempsey held the heavyweight title from 1919-1926, and set numerous box office records during his illustrious career. If you’ve never seen his fight with the giant Jess Willard, then make sure you check it out at the other site. Dempsey is probably the most aggressive champion to make this list.
7. Joe Frazier (32-4-1)
Frazier’s greatness is easy to see, and it’s hard to believe he isn’t more renowned and respected by popular media culture. Think about it, Muhammad Ali is basically a walking national treasure, why isn’t Joe?. In my mind, the same awe-stricken respect should be reserved for Smokin’ Joe. Frazier was tough, and his high pressure attack made most fights more than aesthetically appeasing. Joe Frazier only lost to 2 men in his career, both great fighters in their own right: Ali and George Foreman.
8. George Foreman (76-5)
Foreman was the scariest man on the planet until that fateful night in Zaire when he was “rope-a-doped” by Muhammad Ali. People seem to forget, but pre-Rumble in the Jungle, Foremen made Tyson look like a stuffed Teddy Bear. Foreman was a scary dude alright, but an encounter with the Lord led Foreman to a new lifestyle, and he became the oldest fighter ever to win the heavyweight crown when he knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994.
9. Gene Tunney (81-1-3)
Tunney was a brilliant boxer, maybe the first heavyweight to be so. His greatest win was his first fight against Jack Dempsey, when he dazzled the Manassas Mauler his superior skill. The second fight wasn’t quite as great. Tunney was knocked cold, but a famous long count gave him a chance to get up and steal the victory. That wasn’t so good for him with the fans of the era, but his greatness shouldn’t really be tied to a poor job done by a referee. Besides, he out-boxed Dempsey for the rest of the fight, and had a brilliant career overall only losing once in his 85 fight career.
10. Larry Holmes (69-6-0)
Larry Holmes didn’t get a lot of love after he beat up an old and out of gas Muhammed Ali, but he still defended the heavyweight crown 20 straight times. Holmes fought all the best fighters of his age, and even stuck around to fight a few of the next. Holmes had a killer jab, and he’d fare well with any heavyweight you could pit him against, even is he wasn’t as flashy or brilliant as others on this list.
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See highlight videos of all of the above fighters at The Boxing Stop.
**BONUS**
11. Mike Tyson (44-6-0)
I often say Mike Tyson is the most overrated heavyweight champion of all time, but that’s mostly because a lot of people rank him as the best ever.. That isn’t quite true, but what is true is that Tyson in his prime was very talented, very sound and very scary. He was the youngest fighter ever to win the heavyweight crown, and most people thought he’d never lose it. Tyson lost quite a bit of his form after famed fight trainer Cuss D’Amato passed away and he was sent to jail, and that led to his ultimate downfall. Still, prime Tyson has to be considered one of the greatest heavyweights ever.
Just missed the cut: Lennox Lewis,
Sonny Liston, Floyd Patterson, and Ezzard Charles.
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Original Story:
http://mccarson.3steps.com/13176
