Who are (was) the three greatest heavy weight boxers in the world, and why?

Answer 1

Joe Louis, Cassius Clay [aka Ali] and Gene Forman. Because they knocked out the incumbent champion.

Answer 2

1. Muhammad Ali- He was not only a great promoter for the sport as a whole, but his quickness is unsurpassed for a heavyweight. Look at the guys who fought in his era. Many of these guys would be heavyweight champions in other era. Ken Norton, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Oscar Bonavena, Jerry Quarry, George Chuvalo, and others who fought in the same era makes him the ideal candidate. His trilogy with Joe Frazier is probably the greatest boxing series of alltime. The man beat the man who many thought who couldn't be beat in the Rumble in the Jumble. George Foreman, at the time, was thought to be unstoppable. He easily beat Joe Frazier, who was a very good heavyweight boxer in his own right He got cheated out 3.5 years of a heavyweight title because of the racist US government. Blacks are almost always put on the frontlines. The Vietnam War proved to be a lost cause, and Ali was proved to be right by not going. He took a stand against the Vietnam War, and beat Sonny Liston, not once, but twice, crushing him the second time.
2. Joe Louis. The Brown Bomber held the title a long time, but his competition wasn't quite as stiff as Ali's. He will be remembered as the World War 2 era champion, who beat guys
like Max Schmeling. His record is impiressive, and I don't think
his impact on the heavyweight division and boxing in general, is
as great as Ali's.
3.Larry Holmes. He held the title about seven years, and he had arguably the best jab of alltime among heavyweights. He was a great workmanlike competitor, but not as great as Louis
or Ali in terms of impact on the sport of boxing.

Answer 3

I'd say Ali, Joe Louis, and Rocky Marciano in no particular order I think it's pretty clear cut. Ali for his great balance of skills: speed, power, boxing skill, ability to take a punch. Joe Louis for his incredible record 25 title defenses, and nearly 11 years as heavy weight champ. Marciano for being the only heavy weight ever to retire undefeated.

Other honorable mentions would include Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Larry Holmes. I suppose you could include Tyson, but I question him due to weak level of competition. He destroyed a lot of fighters, but most of them were tomato cans.

Answer 4

Muhammad Ali: many qualities made him a great champion. Early in his career his unmatched hand and foot speed. After his comeback an indomitable will and cast iron chin. The word quit wasn't in his vocabulary.
Joe Louis: 25 straight title defenses, and a break in between because of WW II. One of the most loved champions of all time.
"He is a credit to his race. The human race."
Rocky Marciano: Many question his competition. Yeah he fought an over the hill Archie Moore. He fought Ezzard Charles, whom was unknowingly, probably in the initial stages of his losing battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Jersey Joe Walcott another fighter considered over the hill. But you've got to give Marciano his due, he retired undefeated and was smart enough to save his money and stay retired. The man was relentless and had terrific punching power. By the way one of George Foreman's favorite Heavyweights.

Answer 5

Ali - speed, relentless, record speaks for itself

Louis - power, destroyed almost everyone he faced

Too many choices for third. Ali & Louis clearly stand above the rest.

Tyson is way overrated. He never had any competition. He would have lost to Ali, Louis, Foreman, Frazier, and quite a few others out of boxings distant past.

Answer 6

Ali, Rocky Marciano & Julis Cesar Chavez were Great in their day but the Greatest pound for pound boxers are Rocky M., Ali and Frazier hands down.

Answer 7

The greatest were Mohamed Ali and Mike Tyson

Answer 8

Tyson, Ali and Joe Louis. In that order. Tyson, because he was just the best combination of talent, rage and physical specimen that ever stepped into the ring. Ali, because he was probably the fastest and smartest heavyweight who ever fought, and found ways to beat his opponent even when he was physically outmatched. And Joe Louis...well, just because he was Joe Louis.

Answer 9

Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano,Cassius Clay. Rocky never lost a fight.

Answer 10

dempsy tyson and ali, the uniqueness of the fighters