CC - Top heavyweights

In your response to your question regarding my top heavyweight picks. It’s tricky because, as with the Bradman debate, one struggles to judge fighters through eras. Picking based on time as champ one would have to go with Joe Louis and Wladimir Klitschko. In terms of sheer power, nobody gets past Mike Tyson. Really, the baddest man on the planet. I’m not sure i’ve seen another boxer with that aura and who would back back it up like he did. As much as i dislike the guy, Wilder has to be mentioned - a shit boxer but damn he had power. How far he got, in the professional era, while barely being able to box, tells you how much power he possessed. The two Tysons are probably my favourites with Ali being a close 2nd. Then i’d have to go with the very boring but rock solid Wladimir. I don’t care how boring he was, the man was supremely dominant and a special human. When he lost his belts, it really was the end of an era. And he was always a consummate champ and a great example to young fighters. The way boxing fans treated him wasn’t right. Then Lennox Lewis. It was during his time that i got into boxing and maybe he wasn’t the fastest or the strongest but watching his fights is what got me hooked. In terms of favourite boxers in any division i’d probably go…Mike Tyson, Canelo, Loma, Crawford, Pacman. …with Canelo being in 1st place. He takes the toughest fights available and has to move to levels ridiculously above his natural weight to find challenges. Special mention to Loma though. He personifies the sweet science.

Loma has lost two fights but for me he’s the most satisfying boxer to watch. I generally watch the fight again at 1/2 speed, with some parts at 1/4 speed. His traps and set-ups are a combination of genius and execution that is virtually unparalleled as far as i’m concerned. Must say though, the lad the beat Canelo, Bivol, is also one to watch. More textbook in how he goes about things but damn slick in every aspect.