Who were the Top 5 world heavyweight boxing champions during the 1980s?
In the 1980s there were 15 men who held claim to at least a portion of the heavyweight championship between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1989. For the purposes of this video, we are specifically comparing championship reigns and championship bouts during this period, as we explore a brief chronology of the 1980s heavyweight championship landscape.
The video will also provide an opinion of the Top 5 heavyweight champions in the 1980s, from all 15 champions, including: Larry Holmes, John Tate, Mike Weaver, Muhammad Ali, Michael Dokes, Gerrie Coetzee, Greg Page, Tony Tubbs, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, James Smith, Michael Spinks, Trevor Berbick, Tony Tucker, and Iron Mike Tyson.
So who were the Top 5 heavyweight champions during the 1980s?
This video documentary will attempt to answer that question.
https://www.boxingnews24.com/
This episode of Rummy’s Corner was written, narrated, and produced by Geoffrey Ciani (aka – Rummy).
Ranking the Top 5 Heavyweight Champions in the 1980s
#Boxing #1980sBoxing #MikeTyson #LarryHolmes
37 Comments
Great fun video Rummy. I agree on all counts. Really, really hard to separate The Eastern Assassin and Iron Mike; what if Larry had got the decision he deserved in the rematch vs Spinks? But even discounting the incredible spectacle and phenomenon of Iron Mike's rise, I think Mike still clinches it. I can't remember a greater sense of excitement in any sport compared to those fights when Mike climbed into the ring glowering around like the baddest man on the planet and then gave endearing toothy lisping interviews afterwards claiming to just be a kid having fun, while being the youngest Heavyweight Champion ever. Truly legendary.
It's close. But, I have Larry at number 1. Yes, Tyson had 8 out of 10 title fights against champions and former champs. However, Holmes beat the better versions of his title opposition. Larry more frequently faced guys who were primarily undefeated, uninjured, and fit, save for Ali, as in L. Spinks, Berbick, Weaver, and Witherspoon. Tyson's opposition included non-effort Smith, drug-ravaged Thomas, injured-early Tucker, ancient Holmes, obese Tubbs, showed-up-for-a-payday terrified M. Spinks, and Frank Bruno who 9 times out 10, always found a way to lose when it mattered most (Smith, Witherspoon, Lewis). I understand how you would have M. Spinks as your #3. However, I seriously doubt he could beat the other four on your list at their best.
In all seriousness there are only the top 3. The rest were a round robin of wins & losses to each other.
As to the #1? Holmes lost his title on points & Tyson to a KO.
I call it a technical draw.
I would have gone with Weaver over Thomas myself. Also, the top three is pretty clear and I'm with you on your argument for Mike over Larry.
Great job
1. Holmes 2. Tyson 3. everybody else
spinks should not be in there
Great video
If TYSON never left KEVIN ROONEY, took his training serious, and didnt do 3 Years In Prison with No BOXING TRAINING,
he wouldve never lost, & wouldve DOMINATED the 1990's ERA as well
@ 12:39 …….. What the hell the guy mean "TYSON HAD A FAR MORE FEASABLE PATH FOR BECOMING UNDISPUTED CHAMPION" !!!!!! ?????
GTFOH !!!!!
TYSON beat TREVOR BERBICK for the WBC TITLE ,
then beat BONECRUSHER for the WBA TITLE
Defended the TITLES against PINKLON THOMAS.
Then he beat TONY TUCKER for the IBF TITLE to become UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION .
And BERBICK, BONECRUSHER, THOMAS & TUCKER werent no damn "FEASABLE OPPONENTS" !!!, those were some tough ass HEAVYWEIGHTS at that time.
So i HATE when people claim TYSON beat "WEAK HEAVYWEIGHTS" !!!
Nope, TYSON just made a large % of Tough Top Contenders & Heavyweight Champions LOOK WEAK, thats all
Always excellence with Rummy’s videos. Well reasoned arguments here too.
Rummy tends to hold a special place in his heart for the Easton Assassin, so the fact that Holmes didn't take first shows he's really being disciplined in this decade by decade process.
Tyson was just unbelievable when he played peekaboo
I watch this channel a lot and this is one of the times where I totally disagree. For one thing, Tim Whitherspoon was not only bigger, stronger, better and a true heavyweight as opposed to Michael Spinks, he would have cleaned Spink's clock as well and let's not forget that Holmes got ROBBED against Spinks in their rematch. Whitherspoon was a 2x heavyweight champ whereas Spinks was lucky to be rated in any way, shape or form in the heavyweight division. Secondly, Holmes reigned throughout 6 years of the 80's as opposed to Tyson's 4 and had more title defenses. Not only that, he beat a lot more undefeated fighters and better opposition overall. He defeated Ernie Shavers in one of his early title defenses who was much more dangerous than any fighter Tyson ever faced, he beat an undefeated Jerry Cooney who was blowing through the heavyweight division at the time, he beat a 2x champion in Tim Witherspoon when he was undefeated and everyone knows he beat an undefeated Michael Spinks in their rematch. Mike Tyson on the other hand basically beat NO ONE. Yes, he KO'd a 38-39 year old Larry Holmes which is something all of the Tyson fans like to point out but they forget that Holmes was retired for over 2 years, had no tune up fights and his time was cut short to prepare coming into that fight. NO ONE would have won under those conditions. Even Holmes himself knew that he would lose but he took the fight anyway because of the money. Other than that, Tyson beat a bunch of mediocre one hit wonder champions and fighters that Holmes had already defeated. Just look at how they both won their heavyweight titles to begin with. Holmes had to beat Norton who was an animal, and many believe beat Ali twice including Ali himself. Tyson defeated Trevor Burbick who was average at best and had 4 losses on his record with one draw. That in itself should tell you everything you need to know when comparing these two. In my opinion, the best fighter Tyson faced in his prime was Tony Tucker who was good but never really amounted to anything and Tyson had nothing but problems with him. Tucker easily went the distance and made the fight competitive. Homes on the other hand, fought much better fighters than Tucker. Tyson also beat Spinks who had a build that was Tailor made to crumble over a Tyson punch. In short, Larry Holmes fought everyone in his era. Tyson on the other hand, was carefully managed and only fought those that his management team knew he could beat. That's why you never saw a prime Tyson fight Lewis, Holyfield, foreman, etc. End Of story.
I love your videos Rummy but there’s no way, Tyson could be above Holmes. You brought up his level of opposition compared to Holmes but Holmes resume is significantly better
Cooney is a much better win than anyone Tyson beat. And his win over Cobb was more dominant than any of Tyson’s.
You also mentioned how Holmes’ level of opposition softened towards the end of his reign but towards the end of his reign he started fighting and beating the men who Tyson would go on to face for title fights.
Out of Holmes final 4 title defences, 3 of them would go on to face Tyson.
He also beat the man who Tyson won the title off of (Trevor Berbick) when Berbick was in his prime, while when Berbick fought Tyson his career was coming to its twilight.
And the last thing was you said how Tyson beat every challenger there was. But Tim Witherspoon went unbeaten from 1987-1992 against the same men who Tyson was beating yet never got a fight with him. Holyfield was also fighting at heavyweight for half of Tyson’s reign and was the number 2 ranked heavyweight during 3 of the 5 years Tyson was champion. And when Tyson was asked about a potential fight with Old George Foreman he responded “I’m not fightin’ that f*ng animal. If you love the motherfer so much, you fight him”.
Tyson was definitely great but I really can’t see how you could put him above Holmes in the 80s, Holmes dominated for longer, defended against more opponents, defended against a higher quality of opponents and beat most of the men that Tyson would go on to beat (the only big win Tyson has over Holmes is Tony Tucker).
Great and informative video anyway I just highly disagree with your placement of Holmes.
Tyson transcended boxing much in the same way Ali did. Few outside the circle of boxing fans can name champions other than Ali and Tyson. Decades after their prime, they were still the most exciting heavyweights in the world in public opinion. That counts for something, Tyson is #1 in the 80's. Holmes is arguably one of the most underrated champions ever.
* Tyson vs Ruddock in Canada was scheduled for Nov 89 just 2 months before Tokyo Douglas happenedand was canceled, curious to see how you felt that fight would have went?
The 16 defenses is hard to beat imo, I would edge the number 1 spot to Holmes.
Mike was good but Tucker rocked him. Not only that but so did Bruno.
Tyson was the best
Can't disagree with Tyson being the No.1.
He beat the best, won every title, and was the undisputed Heavyweight Champion.
Watching his rise to the the top was a pleasure to behold, i'm glad i got to see it.
Williams beat Holmes on points I think. Very underrated fighter.
Definitely a close comparison but I agree Tyson unified the titles and destroyed the competition put in from of him in outstanding fashion.
Rummy-this is pretty kick ass. Can you do a 1980s chronology like the 1990s one you did ? THANKS!!!
Larry Holmes is no 1
Great video Rummy thank you for recognising the absolute brilliance of the Eastern Assassin inside the ring he was unparalleled in his prime and he fought Tyson arguably out of his prime he Is sometimes forgotten because of the way Iron Mike came up through the HW absolutely destroying opponents boxing fans were mouth wide open at Tyson.
Tyson was the guy…the question is whether Holmes or Spinks is #2
yeeeeah when it comes to 80's there's really no debate
80s was all about Tyson, all you could hear was Tyson this Tyson that and watching his fights was a nail-biting experience ,as is he going to kill the dude,or just knock him out!
Larry was #1 In the 80s , Argue with yo mama
Another good call. Difficult to dispute the raw data from Jan 1 1980 to Dec 31st 1989. A period of great confusion for the Heavyweights until Tyson cleaned it all up! 💪🏻 Great Work
So many people like to say Tyson fought a bunch of bums and that he wasn't a great fighter. Look at the stats here. Just in the 80's alone. In his career he fought 15 people that were either past, current, or future champions and he only lost to 2 of them. (Holyfield and Lewis) Yet somehow people manage to always say that every top fighter he went up against he lost to. I don't get their thinking. Tyson is without a doubt in the top 10 heavyweights of all time.
80s definitely belong to iron mike . those fight lead to undisputed were devastating
Pinklon Thomas was underrated. Great jab. Great fighter in the early 80s
It has to be Tyson because he took all the belts and never lost…
Larry the very clear no.2 imo.
Think of all these fighters, some hall of fame fighters that lost bouts, and it wasn't the end of their career. Fans, Promoters, and Fighters need to realize staying active (fighting 3 times a year), not pricing themselves out (not everyone is a PPV draw), and promoters doing their job (every fighter doesn't need an 0) lead to a healthy sport. Frank Bruno & Buster Douglas would have never got a chance to grow in today's boxing.