1978-2008 who are the best?

Question

who are the 5 best heavyweights from 1978-2008. I think it is lewis,holyfield,tyson,bowe,klitcko

Answer 1

Lewis,Tyson,Holyfield,Kitschko brothers,

Answer 2

I must point something out. In 1978 Larry Holmes fought Ken Norton in one of the best title fights ever and won a narrow split decision. This started his 7 year run as heavyweight champion. I guess it's "debatable" in as much as if Holmes was in his prime at this point in his career.  Having said that  he is one of the best 5 heavies of the last 30 years.

My list:

1) Larry Holmes

2) Evander Holyfield

3) Lennox Lewis - Lewis could be #2.

4) Mike Tyson

5) George Foreman - On this list for being the only man to win the heavyweight title at age 45. regardless of who he beat.

Answer 3

Come on, dude.  You forgot Larry Holmes and Kenny Norton.  Big Lar would have cruised against all but Tyson.  And would have defeated Tyson as well.

Maybe I am wrong in thinking that Larry was getting the respect after his career that he deserved during his career.

LARRY WON THE TITLE IN 79 and held it through 85.

Answer 4

Good question.  I agree with Woody!

Answer 5

Well, since you don't include Larry Holmes because his career started before 1978, then my list is like this:

1.  Evander Holyfield

2.  Lennox Lewis

3.  Riddick Bowe

4.  Mike Tyson

5.  Michael Moorer

Explanation of #'s 1 and 2:  I know that Holyfield lost to both Bowe and Lewis, but he did beat Bowe in their second fight, and in the third fight he most likely would have won if he did not get hepatitis because Bowe was looking like c**p in that fight too.  Bowe did what he was supposed to do and took advantage of a drained Holyfield and stopped him.  The first fight with Lewis was a robbery and Lewis should have won, the second fight was close and could have gone either way, but the judges awarded the decision to Lewis to make up for the bad decision in the first fight.  Regardless, Holyfield was past his prime at that point while Lewis was at his peak during those fights.  Holyfield and Lewis beat all of the top fighters of their eras, but I think that Holyfield's era was tougher, and I think if it was the Holyfield that beat Tyson, he wouldn't have lost against Lewis.  Thats why I have Holyfield above everyone else and Lewis right behind him.

Explanation of # 3:  Bowe cannot be overlooked, but he could have been so much more than he was if he stayed disciplined and focused.  He got way out of shape and got his a$$ beat so badly in both of the Andrew Golota fights, but he won because of his heart- Golota couldn't take Bowe getting back up after each knockdown.  His only loss was in the rematch to Holyfield and that fight could have gone either way.  I think that if the Bowe that beat Holyfield the first time fought Lennox Lewis, he would have won, but instead Bowe let himself go and made himself look scared to fight Lewis by throwing his title in the trash and telling Lewis to come get it- that was a tasteless move.  He did not accomplish enough at his peak for me to put him over Lewis or Holyfield.  

Explanation of # 4:  Whether you like Tyson or hate him, he deserves credit for bringing the spotlight back to the heavyweights.  He does have some wins over quality contenders and champions such as Michael Spinks, Larry Homes (even though he was far past his prime), Trevor Berbick, but his lack of heart and his lack of focus after Cus D'amato died is what keeps him at number 4 on my list.  He is in a similar position to Bowe- he could have been so much more than what he was.  

Explanation of # 5:  Micheal Moorer is really underrated because he is most remembered for being knocked out by George Foreman.  He was an excellent boxer who had good power that transitioned from his days as a light heavyweight.  His win over Holyfield in their first fight was a great performance by him, and he did have some other good quality wins prior to that, such as his entertaining scrap against Bert Cooper.  And he WAS dominating Foreman before getting caught, but hey that comes with the territory.  He was also the first ever southpaw heavyweight champion.  He deserves more credit than he gets.

Honorable mention: George Foreman- became the oldest heavyweight champion of all time by knocking out Moorer.

Answer 6

So basically the best five heavyweights over the last 30 years, huh? Well, here's my list........

1. Lennox Lewis

2. Evander Holyfield

3. Mike Tyson

4. Riddick Bowe

5. Michael Moorer

Answer 7

Mine looks like this

1. Larry Holmes

2. Lennox Lewis

3. Mike Tyson

4. Evander Holyfield

5. Wladimir Klitschko or Ridick Bowe (Bowe might win head 2 head, but Wlad is more accomplished)

HMs:

Micheal Spinks (extremely brief and came to a violent end)

Vitali Klitschko (if only he could have stayed healthy)

Tim Witherspoon (EXTREMELY underated, but its his fault because he is an underachiever)

Tony Tubbs (also underated due to his era)

Ike Beabuchi (Prison robbed us of what might have been)

Chris Byrd (too small and light on power)

Gerrie Coatzee

Frank Bruno

Answer 8

You're right about Ali but definitely you're WRONG about Holmes.  Holmes became WBC heavyweight champion in June 1978 by beating Ken Norton and went on to defend the title 20 times in a reign that lasted for 7 years.  He suffered his first professional lost in 1985 to Michael Spinks thereby losing his IBF title.  In short, Holmes was at his peak beginning the year 1978.  Definitely, he should be No. 1 on this list.  Hence, my list goes:  

1.  Larry Holmes

2.  Mike Tyson

3.  Evander Holyfield

4.  Lennox Lewis

5.  Riddick Bowe