G.O.A.T.-GREATEST FIGHTERS OF ALL TIME
Charlotte, NC– When you ask any boxing fan who is the greatest of all time in any weight category, or ‘pound for pound,’ almost without fail we can spout names, dates and records for hours. Naming any list of all time is always a highly subjective matter because there is no real way to objectively measure fighters from different eras, or measure intangibles such as heart or courage, and varying lengths of careers. However boxing fans are knowledgeable about their sport, and recognize greatness when they see it, so we take all into account and rate them anyway. The Professor is no different. So, here is my GOAT list for the heavyweight division:
# 17, James J Corbett-Known as “Gentleman Jim,” Corbett fought in a transition period of boxing history as bare-knuckle-boxing was giving way from the London Prize Ring Rules to the gloved Marquess of Queensberry Rules. While his early ring record is vague, as many BKB bouts were still “underground”, Corbett has an “official” International Boxing Hall of Fame record of 19 fights, 11 wins, 4 losses, 3 draws, 1 no-contest, with 7 wins by way of KO.
# 16, Bob Fitzsimmons– “Fitz” won the middleweight, heavyweight, and light heavyweight crowns while never weighing more than 167 pounds. His official record is 115 fights, 74-8-3, 30 no-decisions & 67 KOs.
#15- John L. Sullivan– “The Great John L.” fought mostly in bare-knuckle bouts, and is considered by most to be the first American sports icon. Sullivan won the world heavyweight title by defeating Paddy Ryan in a nine round, 10 minute and 30 second bout on February 7th, 1882. John L. Sullivan has an official record of 38-1-3, 33 KOs.
# 14, Larry Holmes
– “The Easton Assassin” labored in the shadow of the fame of Muhammad Ali. Holmes won the WBC world heavyweight title from “annointed” champion Ken Norton by 15 round decision. Larry was not universally recognised as champion until until he won an 11th round TKO victory over Ali in October of 1980. Holmes lost the heavyweight title to Michael Spinks in a disputeddecision after going 48-0, threatening the 49-0 record of Rocky Marciano. Holmes went 69-6, 44 KOs.
# 13, Maxie Rosenbloom – “Slapsie Maxie” is not on every-one’s list of all time greats, but makes mine as maybe the best defensive fighter of history. He got the moniker “Slapsie Maxie” for his habit of slapping more than punching. Maxie fought from welterweight (147) to heavyweight, and was the only fighter Joe Louis admitted avoiding, not because Louis couldn’t beat Rosenbloom, but because Louis would look bad winning. “Slapsie’s” record stands at 210-38-26, 23 no decisions, 2 no contests, with 19 KOs.
# 12–Evander Holyfield – “The Real Deal” began boxing at eight years of age. Unfortunately he is almost as famous for continuing to fight as he approaches 50, and for being a victim of “The Bite” from a frustrated Mike Tyson. Holyfield was DQ’d himself as an amateur for biting. His amateur record includes a Silver Medal in the 1983 Pan Am Games, 1984 National Golden Gloves winner, and a Bronze Medal in the 84 Olympics. With a record of 44-10-2, 1 no contest, with 29 KOs. Holyfield claims to be the only five time heavyweight champion in history.
# 11 – Joe Frazier, ”Smokin Joe” made a the 1964 US Olympic team as an alternate, won the Gold when he replaced the injured Buster Mathis. He won a portion of the heavyweight title in 1968, won recognition as heavyweight champion in 1969 with a win WBA champ Jimmy Ellis, but was not universally considered as heavyweight champion until he defeated Muhammad Ali in “The Fight of The Century” in 1971. This was the first time two undefeated heavtweight champions ever fought. Joe has a record of 32-4-1, 27KOs.
#10, George Foreman – “Big George” capped his amateur career with an Olympic Gold Medal in 1968. He won his first professional title with a TKO 10 over Geororio Peralta in an NABF heavyweight title scrap. Foreman won recognition when he defeated Joe Frazier in two rounds in January 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica. He lost the title title to Muhammad Ali in “The Rumble in The Jungle” in Kinshasa, Zaire, and retired after a loss to Jimmy Young. George made a comeback ten years later to fund his Youth Center and Program. Big George Capped this “second career” by winning the world championship with a TKO 10 over Michael Moorer< , becoming the oldest heavyweight to win the championship at 45. George went 76-5, 68 wins by KO.
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Professor Chuck Marbry