2. George Foreman

An Olympic gold medallist, Foreman took three years to become the mandatory challenger for the world heavyweight championship after turning professional in 1969. In that time he amassed a record of 32-0 (29), having torn through the ranks.

He was granted his shot against WBC and WBA champion Joe Frazier in 1973, originally installed as a 3-1 betting underdog. He savaged Frazier in two rounds, dropping him six times to decisively announce himself as the leader of the banner division.

He took just as many rounds to dispatch Ken Norton who, like Frazier, held a win over Muhammad Ali, before then facing ‘The Greatest’ himself.

It was at this point that Foreman was at his most fearsome and there were not many who expected an ageing Ali to upset the champion. He did just that though, stupendously knocking him out in eight rounds.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6