Who was the best heavyweight boxer ever?

[Mr.G]

On his best nights I think Vitali Klitschko was better than the younger Klitschko and also Tyson Fury. And prime Vitali was going life and death with an aging Lennox Lewis..

Anyway, these are super heavyweights that we are talking about, (Fury's height is largely considered exaggerated, I believe he is really 6'7 or 6'7.5) regardless he is still enormous, talented, tough, with tons of heart.

One thing is sure, the smaller heavyweights of the past; Marciano, Frazier, Tyson, Holyfield, etc. would be at a distinct size disadvantage. Lewis, the Klitschko's and also Fury understand how to control distance and know how to fight 'big'.

Sorry, I did not answer the OP question yet - it's a tough question I need to sleep on it

[Daco Celtic]

On his best nights I think Vitali Klitschko was better than the younger Klitschko and also Tyson Fury. And prime Vitali was going life and death with an aging Lennox Lewis..

Anyway, these are super heavyweights that we are talking about, (Fury's height is largely considered exaggerated I believe he is 6'7 or 6'7.5) regardless he is still enormous, talented, tough, with tons of heart.

One thing is sure, the smaller heavyweights of the past; Marciano, Frazier, Tyson, Holyfield, etc. would be at a distinct size disadvantage. Lewis, the Klitschko's and also Fury understands how to control distance and know how to fight 'big'.

Sorry, I did not answer the OP question yet - it's a tough question I need to sleep on it

Looking at past heavyweights, I think Foreman, Holmes, and Lennox Lewis would do ok due to their size.

[Daco Celtic]

To me this bout solidified Ali as the greatest heavyweight. Ali was past his prime and beat a much bigger, stronger, younger fighter.

[Mr.G]

To me this bout solidified Ali as the greatest heavyweight. Ali was past his prime and beat a much bigger, stronger fighter.

So much heart and will, so much skill. I don't believe any heavyweight in history could absorb punishment better than Ali. Also tremendously charisma, personality, humor.

All these modern big guys we are talking about are outside fighters, but so was Ali. Now Ali was shorter than them, but in his prime, faster than them too.

So I think I like Ali in the number one spot. If I had a knock on him it was that he didn't really fight on the inside, personally I love inside fighters.

[Mr.G]

Looking at past heavyweights, I think Foreman, Holmes, and Lennox Lewis would do ok due to their size.

Yes, those guys are true big men.

[Daco Celtic]

So much heart and will, so much skill. I don't believe any heavyweight in history could absorb punishment better than Ali. Also tremendously charisma, personality, humor.

All these modern big guys we are talking about are outside fighters, but so was Ali. Now Ali was shorter than them, but in his prime, faster than them too.

So I think I like Ali in the number one spot. If I had a knock on him it was that he didn't really fight on the inside, personally I love inside fighters.

To be honest, someone like Foreman would probably do better in the modern day because of his size but I consider Ali the best based on dominance in his time, longevity, hand speed, chin, elusiveness, will, and overall skill.

[PaleoEuropean]

John L Sullivan could take him. Sullivan was bare-knuckles

Yea I would put heavy weight bare-knuckle boxers in a higher bracket, hitting people fucking hurts more than getting hit.

[PaleoEuropean]

To me this bout solidified Ali as the greatest heavyweight. Ali was past his prime and beat a much bigger, stronger, younger fighter.

I wouldn't put him as number one though just because his lack of power, he wasn't weak but he wasn't dropping first round haymakers all day either. He could take a punch like a champ though and knew how to get into peoples heads. Jon Jones kinda reminds me of him but Jon Jones is like the drug addict MMA form, but Jon Jones is kinda of a loser in his personal life which pretty much ended his MMA career.

[PaleoEuropean]

Yea I would put heavy weight bare-knuckle boxers in a higher bracket, hitting people fucking hurts more than getting hit.

had to correct myself there.

[Daco Celtic]

I wouldn't put him as number one though just because his lack of power, he wasn't weak but he wasn't dropping first round haymakers all day either. He could take a punch like a champ though and knew how to get into peoples heads. Jon Jones kinda reminds me of him but in MMA form, but Jon Jones is kinda of a loser in his personal life which pretty much ended his MMA career.

Yeah, Jon Jones is like the the retarded version of Ali. I'm sucker a for stylistic, quick boxers like Ali vs a Klitschko type boxer who is utilitarian and dependent of reach, size, and power.