Greatest Boxer of All-Time?

[Lucky Colts Fan]

It's been a year since the passing of Muhammad Ali, so let's discuss his legacy vs. the field.

[Lucky Colts Fan]

When I was a kid, I grew up with Iron-Mike, so I thought he was the toughest dude alive.

 

But as I grew up and learned about the boxers before my time, it became apparent that Ali was exactly what he said he was:

 

The Greatest.

[Luck 4 president]

Mcgregor

[2006Coltsbestever]

29 minutes ago, Lucky Colts Fan said:

When I was a kid, I grew up with Iron-Mike, so I thought he was the toughest dude alive.

 

But as I grew up and learned about the boxers before my time, it became apparent that Ali was exactly what he said he was:

 

The Greatest.

It really depends on if longevity is a huge factor when ranking fighters. IMO Mike Tyson from 1985-1989 would've beat any fighter before him or after. He started to lose focus when the 90's rolled around. Had tons of money, bad trainers + Don King = YUCK, he didn't train right, had Robin Givens problems, and then the beauty pageant incident which sent him to prison. Having said that for a 5 year period Tyson was the best Heavy WT I have ever seen with his hand speed combo's and power. I don't think Holyfield would've beat 1988 Mike Tyson. Ali is arguably the greatest no doubt when you factor in longevity + his 2 wins over Frazier and win over Foreman were real impressive. Middle WT wise, Sugar Ray Leonard was the best IMO. He beat Duran, Hearns, and Hagler. So he beat the Big 3. He beat Hagler coming out of retirement with a bad eye LOL. Hagler was unbeatable back then. I also give Roy Jones huge praise, when he was in his prime he toy'd with other boxers. Mayweather is great as well and still undefeated but his power is a bit iffy, his Defense is perfect though.

[PrincetonTiger]

Never been a big fan of boxing but it is kind of hard to compare boxers of different eras

[PrincetonTiger]

DYK Muhammad Ali was a proud native of Louisville, Kentucky 

[Lucky Colts Fan]

6 minutes ago, PrincetonTiger said:

DYK Muhammad Ali was a proud native of Louisville, Kentucky 

 

I do.  My dad lives in Louisville, and my soon-to-be stepmom has an awesome story about how Cassius Clay saved her from getting beat up by some other girls in Louisville.  She didn't find out until much later that Mr. Muhammad Ali was the guy that saved her behind that day!

 

My dad and his fiance were at the ceremony last year.  Next time I am down there, I plan on visiting his grave.

[PrincetonTiger]

6 minutes ago, Lucky Colts Fan said:

 

I do.  My dad lives in Louisville, and my soon-to-be stepmom has an awesome story about how Cassius Clay saved her from getting beat up by some other girls in Louisville.  She didn't find out until much later that Mr. Muhammad Ali was the guy that saved her behind that day!

 

My dad and his fiance were at the ceremony last year.  Next time I am down there, I plan on visiting his grave.

I only live a few hours from Louisville

 My parents were in Louisville last weekend and we were in Crawford County today

[crazycolt1]

32 minutes ago, PrincetonTiger said:

Never been a big fan of boxing but it is kind of hard to compare boxers of different eras

I have been a fan of boxing since I was a kid.

That being said calling the GOAT boxer is like calling the GOAT QB in football. Impossible.

Long, long history of great boxers in so many eras and weight classes that goes all the way back to bare knuckle fights where the longest went 77 rounds and over 5 hours. (Queensbury rules)

[PrincetonTiger]

Just now, crazycolt1 said:

I have been a fan of boxing since I was a kid.

That being said calling the GOAT boxer is like calling the GOAT QB in football. Impossible.

Long, long history of great boxers in so many eras and weight classes that goes all the way back to bare knuckle fights where the longest went 77 rounds and over 5 hours. (Queensbury rules)

Agreed

[Lucky Colts Fan]

4 hours ago, crazycolt1 said:

Long, long history of great boxers in so many eras and weight classes that goes all the way back to bare knuckle fights where the longest went 77 rounds and over 5 hours. (Queensbury rules)

 

Good Lord... is there anyone left alive in Queensbury?

[PrincetonTiger]

I must say one thing Boxing had some great names and nicknames like Jem "The Gypsy" Mace

[2006Coltsbestever]

8 minutes ago, crazycolt1 said:

I have been a fan of boxing since I was a kid.

That being said calling the GOAT boxer is like calling the GOAT QB in football. Impossible.

Long, long history of great boxers in so many eras and weight classes that goes all the way back to bare knuckle fights where the longest went 77 rounds and over 5 hours. (Queensbury rules)

77 Rounds? That is crazy  

[PrincetonTiger]

Here is another great name Ezzard "The Cincinnati Cobra" Charles

[PrincetonTiger]

Here is mine Dick Tiger

[PrincetonTiger]

Love the nickname of the German Great Max Schmeling-Black Uhlan of the Rhine

[Lucky Colts Fan]

2 hours ago, PrincetonTiger said:

Here is mine Dick Tiger

 

Well if title belts were won with votes for "best name" instead of punches to the face, you would be the every-weight champion of all-time!

 

 

I ran out of likes for the day, so as soon as I am able, I will come back and like that!

[crazycolt1]

2 hours ago, PrincetonTiger said:

Here is mine Dick Tiger

Sounds more like a dudes name from a porno flick.

[Lucky Colts Fan]

1 hour ago, crazycolt1 said:

Sounds more like a dudes name from a porno flick.

 

I was about to say "don't derail this thread", but then I thought...

 

"You know, I bet boxer nicknames are almost interchangeable with porno names."

 

Now that we have female boxers and MMA fighters... Oh, God...   

[BOTT]

4 hours ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

It really depends on if longevity is a huge factor when ranking fighters. IMO Mike Tyson from 1985-1989 would've beat any fighter before him or after. He started to lose focus when the 90's rolled around. Had tons of money, bad trainers + Don King = YUCK, he didn't train right, had Robin Givens problems, and then the beauty pageant incident which sent him to prison. Having said that for a 5 year period Tyson was the best Heavy WT I have ever seen with his hand speed combo's and power. I don't think Holyfield would've beat 1988 Mike Tyson. Ali is arguably the greatest no doubt when you factor in longevity + his 2 wins over Frazier and win over Foreman were real impressive. Middle WT wise, Sugar Ray Leonard was the best IMO. He beat Duran, Hearns, and Hagler. So he beat the Big 3. He beat Hagler coming out of retirement with a bad eye LOL. Hagler was unbeatable back then. I also give Roy Jones huge praise, when he was in his prime he toy'd with other boxers. Mayweather is great as well and still undefeated but his power is a bit iffy, his Defense is perfect though.

Leonard came out of retirement to fight Haglar when he saw Haglar's skills had diminished.  He wanted no piece of Haglar in his prime.  Plus, I don't think he threw a punch with bad intentions that entire fight.  He won that fight, but it was kinda of a joke.

[BOTT]

Ali claims the real "Sugar Ray" was the greatest ever.

[pacolts56]

Without linking the barber shop scene from the Eddie Murphy movie "Coming to America"....

 

..... I'll throw a vote in for "Rocky Marciano!!...Rocky Marciano!!"

[crazycolt1]

5 hours ago, BOTT said:

Leonard came out of retirement to fight Haglar when he saw Haglar's skills had diminished.  He wanted no piece of Haglar in his prime.  Plus, I don't think he threw a punch with bad intentions that entire fight.  He won that fight, but it was kinda of a joke.

I remember that fight well. You are correct in saying that fight was a joke. Sad really if you think about it.

[HOZER]

Julio César Chávez....With Ali a close second.

 

A little bit on Chávez, who has been extremely underrated.......

 

Chávez finally retired in his 25th year as a professional boxer with a record of 107 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws, with 86 knockouts and is considered one of the greatest fighters of all times. He holds records for most successful consecutive defenses of world titles (27), most title fights (37), most title-fight victories (31) and he is after Joe Louis (with 23) for most title defenses won by knockout (21). Chávez also has the longest undefeated streak in boxing history, 13 years. His record was 89-0-1 going into his first loss to Frankie Randall and had an 87 fight win streak until his draw with Whitaker.

 

Chávez was my dads favorite fighter and who I modeled my boxing technique after when I was in the ring.

[horseshoecrabs]

one thing that was not mentioned of the Tyson era was that heavy weight boxing in general was a joke

 

It was at an all time low. The boxers just before Tyson came on the seen would be fat and out of shape

it was a joke to watch . I remember that I could not believe these fighters fighting for the heavyweight

championship title and be so out of shape!  What Tyson did at the time and what he should be known

for is unifying the title. and setting back the standard of what it was like before.

[oldunclemark]

On ‎6‎/‎4‎/‎2017 at 9:05 AM, GOZER said:

Julio César Chávez....With Ali a close second.

 

A little bit on Chávez, who has been extremely underrated.......

 

Chávez finally retired in his 25th year as a professional boxer with a record of 107 wins, 6 losses and 2 draws, with 86 knockouts and is considered one of the greatest fighters of all times. He holds records for most successful consecutive defenses of world titles (27), most title fights (37), most title-fight victories (31) and he is after Joe Louis (with 23) for most title defenses won by knockout (21). Chávez also has the longest undefeated streak in boxing history, 13 years. His record was 89-0-1 going into his first loss to Frankie Randall and had an 87 fight win streak until his draw with Whitaker.

 

Chávez was my dads favorite fighter and who I modeled my boxing technique after when I was in the ring.

Chavez was one of my favorites, too..

I think hes the Ali of Mexico

 

What I try not to do is judge a fighter by his last few fights when he's taking on much younger men.

I didn't see Marciano or Joe Louis obviously and its hard to judge across weight classes...

Ali was boxing's biggest star ever...and he might have been the Greatst except for the years he lost.

Chavez carried his country into every fight...He wasnt just a hero. He was the atheltic face of his nation like few others

 

 

[jimmy g]

Billy Joel!  He got tired of being punched, so he gave up boxing, and became a singer/songwriter!!!

[2006Coltsbestever]

McGregor . I would love to see him beat Mayweather but it will never happen.

[Jay Kirk]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Marciano