Greatest heavyweight in their prime?
 

There are strong arguments for Ali, Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Liston, Frazier, Klitschko's, Holyfield, Marciano being the greatest of all time due to various achievements, but which boxer was so good in his prime, no matter how short, that nobody past or present could ever wish to beat him?

Many claim Tyson was unstoppable under Rooney, many claim he never fought anyone dangerous in that period. You also have your Galota and McCall's, fighters who were a match for anyone when their head was right.

Fighters with good records such as Riddick Bowe who "avoided" tricky opponents. 43 wins and only 1 defeat, on points to Holyfield.

What about modern champions? Wilder and Fury embrace wild styles but look far from beatable.

What about a wildcard? Paul Sykes of Wakefield. 31 years old when he turned professional, he earned a shot at the British and Commonwealth title after just 8 fights, 2 of his opponents were seriously hurt, one put in a coma. Not bad for an alcoholic and smoker to boot who had lived on scant prison food for the previous 14 years. Many claimed Sykes was the hardest man in Britain in the 80's but he was refused a boxing license in physical peak.

Ali - no argument

Your mum. :)

Tyson.

But like comparing f1 champs.

Different eras.
Different equipment
Hard to compare.

It'd be interesting to see Ali v the likes of Tyson or Valuev, fighters who weren't tested in their physical peak.

I sometime think Ali would go the way of Berbick against Mike, trying to fight toe to toe in some futile machismo gesture.

The ultimate brain-twister for me is 35yo Lewis v 21yo Tyson. Many a night I've laid in bed trying to visualize what would happen. Tyson bobbing and weaving at knee height whilst holding gloves in that familiar peekaboo style, Lewis uppercutting with enough fury to knock a Rhino out.

I read of an African fighter once who was virtually unbeatable but he lost to mental illness. Can't for the life of me recall his name.

I think lifestyle might give some of the older eras an advantage. I remember Tyson once putting lifestyle down to making the fighter but I'm not sure if he was referring to a gritty upbringing and make do training facilities or luxury!

I used to think Brazil of the late 60's would take a 3-0 lead against a 21st century Brazilian side into half time on the back of superior skill, natural talent, motivation and flair, but the newer side would gradually draw level due to conditioning, proven tactics and fitness. Not sure how this would equate to boxing though. Could a jabber like Wlad Klitschko wear down the likes of Ali when he can't actually hit him?

Joe frazier for me

Walker smith Jr. Was the greatest of all time if you don't know who that is you don't know **** about boxing

I'm not sure of his Heavyweight record but he stood at 128-1 in his Prime, I think Charlie Zelenoff is the only fighter to rival that with 142-0, but his idea of boxing isn't too dissimilar to my idea of racing.

Tyson...The end.

Tyson is the greatest myth in heavyweight boxing . He beat bums n cabbies , every time he stepped up in class he was brutally beaten up exposed and knock the **** out

Sounds a little gay

:rolleyes:

Ok his era wasn't the strongest in the heavy weight division but a champion at 20, 9 successful defences and knocked 7 of them out....A fcuking animal and I loved him!

Beat spinks a blown up light heavyweight and a 37 year old Larry homes who was retired for two years. Beat no one else of signifance. He avoided Tua bowe mercer Morrison foreman and Briggs all would of beaten him aswell

Vitali/Lewis

Tyson for pure strength ,in his prime I dont think any boxer ever could tame him

Even Ali and iv watched them all since

in my opinion ;)

Yup, and the only fighter to knock Holmes out irrelevant of age......Tyson never really reached his full potential but 40+ knockouts speaks for itself.

Vitali has no legacy his career defining fight was against Lennox Lewis he lost

My top 5

Lewis
Ali
Foreman
Joe Lewis
Jack Johnson

Thoughts on who'd win out of AJ v Wilder?

Aj in 3

Aj vs fury - fury on points

Haye? If he ever stops fighting bums...

Haye destroys them all

The same Lewis who struggled against Bruno? A good fighter was Lewis but not top 5.

Bruno rocked Tyson to his boots
Big frank won the wbc heavyweight championship of the world
You point is invalid
Lewis avenged his two defeats
Beat ruddock Tua mercer Holyfield Briggs mercer Morrison vitail McCall . His record is incredible

Tyson Bruno grant

lewis got knocked out by oliver mc call and rahman. surprised no one has mentioned jack dempsey. gene tunney had only one defeat and worth a mention as well.

My point is invalid?

Says the person who makes out Tyson was a myth, Lewis is the greatest H.W and Fury would beat A.J....:lol1: A.J would make light work of Fury. Fury is the biggest joke in H.W history!

One more pay day for the Pikey before he goes back to stripping lead from Church roofs!

oh and not forgeting Marciano.......

Fury went to Germany and beat a super champion 11 years unbeaten . He is agile and awkward for suck a big man. Tyson was a hype job.

Ali full stop. Tyson would have been but went awol once his mentor Cus Damarto passed away. Rooney although a very good trainer couldnt control him they way Cus did. Probably in my life time the best heavyweights were around in the 70's & 80's. Norton, frazier,shavers,foreman etc etc. Its my honest opinion that you should only judge who you think is the greatest if you've seen them fight and not go by record books.