JOE LOUIS has been named the greatest heavyweight of all time by George Foreman – with Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson also on the list but no WBC champion Tyson Fury.
Foreman, who in 1994 knocked out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion of all time aged 45, boxed over FOUR decades.
And having faced legendary names such as Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield there is arguably no better man to rank the best of all time in the blue ribbon division.
But it’s a figure Foreman idolised, not faced, who he believes is the No1.
In an exclusive interview with SunSport, Foreman said: “Joe Louis is greatest of all time heavyweight as far as a boxer is concerned.
“My number two heavyweight to leave boxing undefeated Rocky Marciano. Number three is John L Sulivan. Four is Jack Johnson. Number five Muhammad Ali.”
George Foreman named Joe Louis as his greatest heavyweight of all time
Ali is arguably the most popular heavyweight of all time, and Foreman ranks his influence outside the ring as his greatest gift.
He explained: “They never even saw a boxing match in their lives, because he was a great man and the greatest personality and overall, to talk about Muhammad Ali from a pure boxing perspective is a put down.
“He was greater than that. Everybody’s life has been better because of Ali.”
Here is Foreman’s 10 greatest heavyweights, as SunSport details their legendary careers.
10. Jack Dempsey, 68–6–11
Dempsey reigned as champion from 1919 to 1926 and gained recognition for his punching power and aggressive fighting style.
Such was his popularity he was the first boxer to bring in first million-dollar gate from ticket sales.
Dempsey was a major pioneer in boxing hitting mainstream TV channels and can be thanked for his influence in heavyweight headliners going on to become the box office attractions they are today.
Jack Dempsey reigned as champion from 1919 to 1926
9. Evander Holyfield, 44–10–2 (1)
Holyfield was the first fighter to ever hold cruiserweight and heavyweight world titles, with Brit David Haye then becoming the only man to join him.
The ‘Real Deal’ is also the only four-time heavyweight champion, reigning during the late 90s and early 2000s.
Involved in great rivalries with Tyson, Lewis and Riddick Bowe, Holyfield’s explosive speed and power made him a favourite among fans.
Evander Holyfield was the first fighter to ever hold cruiserweight and heavyweight world titles
8. Mike Tyson, 50–6 (2)
Tyson still sits as the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, having battered Tervor Berbick in 1986 when he was just 20.
His devastating punch power and ruthless aggression made his fights a must-see event – but a lack of discipline led to troubles in and out of the ring.
After being upset by Buster Douglas in 1990, Tyson went on to win the title again in 1996, but after losing key fights against Holyfield and Lewis, the passion was gone and he retired in 2005.
Mike Tyson still sits as the youngest heavyweight champion of all time
7. Lennox Lewis, 41–2–1
As a heavyweight Lewis has completed it all with legendary wins over Tyson, Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko.
The Brit star lost just twice, in shock upsets to Olivier McCall and Hasim Rahman, but avenged both – meaning he beat every man he shared the ring with.
He is also the last undisputed heavyweight champion, but an asterisk must be be applied as he did not hold the WBO belt, at the time not recognised as a major world title.
Lennox Lewis was the last undisputed heavyweight champion
6. Floyd Patterson, 55–8–1
Paterson, at 21, was the youngest heavyweight champ of all time until Tyson broke the record, but he also became the first man to lose the belt and then regain it.
He fought but lost to both Ali and Sonny Liston and is celebrated for his softly spoken approach yet heavy hands.
Patterson was nicknamed ‘The Gentleman of Boxing’.
Floyd Patterson was nicknamed ‘The Gentleman of Boxing’
5. Muhammad Ali, 56–5
Widely recognised as the most iconic fighter of all time, Ali transcended the sport and inspired generations with his talent and larger-than-life persona.
He beat the likes of Liston, Patterson, Ken Norton, Frazier and Foreman on his run as a three-time champion that included historic events such as “The Rumble in the Jungle’ and ‘Thrilla in Manilla’
Not only was he a genius on the mic but his footwork and combination punching qualifies him as one of the best pugilists ever to lace up the gloves.
Muhammad Ali is widely recognised as the most iconic fighter of all time
4. Jack Johnson, 70–11–11 (3)
Johnson became the first African American world heavyweight after defeating Tommy Burns in 1908 having been denied a title shot due to his skin colour since turning pro in 1898.
The “Galveston Giant” became a cultural hero having battled racism throughout his career but never got another shot at the belt after losing it to Jess Willard in 1915.
Johnson had just 35 KO’s in 70 wins, instead relying on boxing skill and speed.
Jack Johnson became the first African American world heavyweight after defeating Tommy Burns in 1908
3. John L Sullivan, N/A
Sullivan is both recognised as the first gloved heavyweight champion in history and last in bare-knuckle under the London Prize Ring Rules.
The Irish-American, known commonly as John L, became a star during the late 1800s and went on to become one of the highest paid sportsman during the era.
His career also became a catalyst to newspapers first covering boxing and other sports.
John L Sullivan is recognised as the first gloved heavyweight champion in history
2. Rocky Marciano, 49-0
Marciano remains the only heavyweight champion to have retired undefeated.
He made six title defences and was renowned for his come-forward style, power and durable chin, proving too relentless for challengers to come, including an ageing Louis.
But a lack of high-profile and legendary opponents unfortunately leaves Marciano usually falling short of credit his record and talent deserves.
Rocky Marciano remains the only heavyweight champion to have retired undefeated
1. Joe Louis, 371-14
Louis was heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949 – a period in which he defended his title 25 times in the illustrious 13-year run.
More than that, he is widely regarded as one of the first black athletes to achieve the status of national hero in the US.
With 334 KOs in a reported 385 fights, he is regarded as one of the most destructive and hard-hitting punchers of all time.
Joe Louis reigned as heavyweight champion for 13 consecutive years
Frequently Asked Questions
How to defend yourself:
When you’re being attacked, you must always protect your head. The goal is to avoid getting punched. To do this, you will need to learn how to prevent an incoming punch. Here’s how to do it:
- Keep your shoulders square and tall.
- Keep your elbows near your sides.
- Block the incoming punch using your forearm.
- Counterattack immediately.
- Keep blocking until the attacker flees.
- Don’t give up on your defense.
Where should I buy boxing equipment?
There are many different places online where you can buy boxing equipment. Amazon, eBay. Walmart. Target. and Sports Authority are just a few of the many places you can buy boxing equipment online. If you’re looking for cheap boxing gear, then you might want to check out discount stores like Ross or TJ Maxx.
Look into reputable brands like Warrior and Golden Glove if you are looking to buy quality boxing gear.
What are the main types of boxing glove?
There are three main types of boxing gloves: mitts, fingerless mitts, and full-fingered gloves. Mitten gloves have padding around the knuckles. Fingerless mitts don’t have any padding around your knuckles but still cover your fingers. Full-fingered gloves have padding on the entire hand.
Mittens are useful for striking the fist or punching. Fingerless mitt gloves are used for punching or striking with the knuckle of the index finger. Boxing gloves that are full-fingered can be used to punch with your whole fist.
What are the potential benefits of learning to Box?
These are the reasons you need to learn how box.
- It builds confidence. You will be able to confront bullies and other bullies by learning to box.
- It improves your health. Boxing builds muscle mass. Muscle mass can make you stronger.
- It teaches you self defense skills. When you learn how to fight, you learn how to protect yourself.
- It increases your mental toughness. Mental toughness is important when you’re facing challenges.
- It can give you a feeling of accomplishment. Once you’ve mastered a certain technique, you’ll feel like a real boxer.
- It’s fun! Nothing is more fun than being punched in a stomach.
- It’s cheap. All you need are a pair of punching bags and boxing gloves.
- It doesn’t require much space
Statistics
- You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
- This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
External Links
amazon.com
- Amazon.com: Ringside Diablo Wrestling Boxing Shoes : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
- Amazon.com – Sanabul Boxing Elastic Handwraps 180in Red : Sports & Outdoors
expertboxing.com
How To
How do I set up a boxing gym at my house?
People who are looking to start their own business often ask how to set up a boxing club. Many people are curious about how much equipment they should purchase, what type of space they need, and how many employees they will require. The cost of starting a business can be affected by many factors. Some of them include location, type of business, number of employees, marketing budget, competition etc. However, most people neglect the importance of quality equipment. You can’t start if you don’t have the right equipment. Here are some helpful tips if you want to open a boxing studio in your own home.
- You need to have somewhere you can train. Anyplace you can train is fine, whether it’s in your garage, basement, spare or living area. Only one requirement: There must be enough space for the equipment to be set up.
- You need a punching bag (or two). This is very important because without a punching bag you won’t be able to practice punches. You can use anything, from a plastic bag to a heavy-duty leather bag. It should be big enough that you can comfortably carry it. You will also want it to last for many years.
- You will need a mat. Matting protects floors and walls from kicks. It is usually made out of foam rubber. They can be bought online or offline stores.
- You will need a bench. The bench can be used to support the body during pushups. They can be ordered online or in local stores. However, make sure that you choose the right size for you.
- A speedbag is required. Speedbags allow you to make quick hand movements. These bags can be bought online or offline. Be sure to buy quality products that last.
- You will need a headgear. For sparring, you will need to use a headgear. You can buy it from either online shops or offline stores. It is important to choose the right size and protection for your face.
- Gloves are required. Gloves can be used to protect your hands while sparring. These gloves can be bought online or in stores. Find the right pair for you.
- A mouthpiece is essential. Mouthpieces can be used to protect your smile during sparring sessions. These can be purchased online or in-store. Choose the right pair for you.
- You will need a ring. Rings can be used to simulate real fights. You can purchase them either online or offline. It should have padding on both sides, so you don’t get hurt during sparring.
- A towel is essential. To wipe away sweat after each session, towels are necessary. These towels can be bought at your local sporting goods store, or online. Make sure that they’re soft and absorbent.
