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Who was the Greatest Heavy Weight Boxer.

adrian_indy

Ali, Frazier, Tyson, Lewis, Marciano, Louis? Any thoughts on who and why?

Replies

TheRoadDog

You're going to get so many diferent view point. I am going to say Muhammad Ali. He helped make boxing legitimate again at a time when it was so corrupt. Sonny Liston was owned by organized crime.

I saw Ali back in the early 80's. My cousin worked for Coors and they promoted fights during the week. L.A. I can't remember the location, but it wasn't the Olympic. I went to watch one evening and there were several celebrities in attendance. Sylvester Stallone, Tony Danza, Ali, a couple other minor celebrities. Anyways, Ali was sitting adjacent to me. He had several bodyguards sitting around him.

I saw several adults, including Stallone, try and get an autograph and get turned away. But Ali allowed every kid that wanted one to come and get one.

BeeElMarvin

I think, by default, Ali. If he had not self destructed, Mike Tyson had the potential to be the best fighter by far, he was simply devastating in his prime.

TheRoadDog

I think, by default, Ali. If he had not self destructed, Mike Tyson had the potential to be the best fighter by far, he was simply devastating in his prime.

I think the term"Greatest" encompasses more than just a person's ability in the ring. Gotta look at records, statistics as well as the less tangible atrributes a fighter may have, like, impact on the sport, humanity, noteriety.

Mike Tyson is an example of everything that can go wrong. He was a great fighter, but between his upbringing, mismanagement and bad judgement, he spiraled downward quickly. Too Bad.

I doubt there will ever be an era again where guys like Frazier, Foreman, Ali and Norton were all contenders at the same time.

adrian_indy

Ali wins for me as well. For both in the ring and out of the ring. The heavyweight division was packed with stars back then, most heavyweight fights a brutal war, and he fought many. Not to mention,he had like 5 years taken from his prime from the GOV for refusing the draft, could you imagine if the guy never went away and got older and ring rust.

TheRoadDog

My father and I never agreed about Ali with me. He felt Ali was a draft dodger and that made up his mind for him. He also never understood how I, as a Marine, could feel differently.

I didn't agree with Ali, but felt that he was sincere in his beliefs, so I admired him for it. He could have gone in the Army and he would never have seen battle. They would have made a poster boy out of him like they did with Joe Louis. So, I feel he gave it all up based on principle.

adrian_indy

My father and I never agreed about Ali with me. He felt Ali was a draft dodger and that made up his mind for him. He also never understood how I, as a Marine, could feel differently.

I didn't agree with Ali, but felt that he was sincere in his beliefs, so I admired him for it. He could have gone in the Army and he would never have seen battle. They would have made a poster boy out of him like they did with Joe Louis. So, I feel he gave it all up based on principle.

Exactly. I admire people who stand up for what they believe in, whether or not I agree. Not to mention, not exactly sure Ali was so far off when he said "No Viet Cong ever called me ******."

TheRoadDog

A little off course, but my favorite boxers of all time, regardless of weight class:

-Muhammad Ali
-Alexis Arguello
-Roberto Duran
-Ken Norton
-Joe Frazier
-Thomas Hearn

I know there are a lot more great boxers out there, but these are my favorites.

My favorite match of all time was Duran vs. Leonard. The first one.

Most interesting match was Ali vs Spinks the rematch. I couldn't believe that Ali lost the first match and when they scheduled the rematch, I was in Italy. Looked all over to find a place to watch it in Rome. Finally found a cook in a restaurant that was watching it in the restaurant kitchen. He let me sit on a stool an watch. It was in Italian. Bonus, didn't have to listen to Howard Cosell.

adrian_indy

For the longest time my favorite was Evander Holyfield. When he finally fought Tyson that first time, me and my friend Paul kept telling everyone Holyfield was going to win. We got the PPV and had a full house. We were the only two that thought Evander was going to whip Tyson's *kitten*, and when he KO'd him , I was estatic.

I_give_it_2_u_str8

During his reign, I think Tyson.

NPetrakis

In terms of raw boxing talent, Mike Tyson, no contest. Were it not for his mental issues the man would have been one of the greatest boxers in all of history. At least now he's found some peace in his life.