Let The Countdown Begin!

10. Sam Langford
History can often change over time; untruths slip into stories and become common belief. One of these is that Jack Johnson was the main sufferer of racial discrimination in boxing. Johnson may not have had it easy, but at least he got a title shot, one black man who never did was Sam Langford. An excellent stylish who despite being a light-heavyweight in size, regularly outboxed and outfoxed bewildered white heavyweights. The Boston Tar Baby was only 5'7 yet still few men could cope with his ferocious hand speed and undeniable slickness. It's not like he couldn't punch either, 130 stoppages from 200 fights is impressive against opposition the same size, but even better when you consider Langford often fought much bigger men. Whether he's the greatest fighter never to hold a title is doubtable, but one thing that isn't is his place on this list.

9. Harry Wills
In Depression era boxing, the infamous colour line meant that most of this black heavyweight's fights came against other African-Americans. It's his astonishing record in these fights which gain him this placing. 6 wins against the above Langford and 3 against Sam McVey are the main reasons which warrant such a high placing, but wins over Willie Meehan can only help his case. A big puncher who amassed an impressive 49 kayo's throughout his excellent career. The one big blot on his record is a DQ loss to former champion Jack Sharkey. Sharkey was never a great champion, but he was clearly winning before Wills got himself disqualified due to building frustration. Another man who never even got a chance to hold sport's premier prize, he was honoured by The Ring magazine by being included in their 100 greatest punchers list.

8. Joe Frazier
Smokin' Joe's career is a bit of an enigma in that the one man who made him, also dropped him a few rungs on the all-time ladder. That man is Muhammad Ali, who Frazier famously beat in the 'Fight of the Century'. That was certainly the jewel in the crown for Frazier, but if you take out his wins are still pretty impressive. Wins over Bob Foster, Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry and George Chuvalo read nicely too. The one big blow to Frazier's claim to be higher on this list is his first loss to George Foreman. That the undefeated Frazier reluctantly relinquished his Championship to Big George is not something to be ashamed of. Instead it's the way he lost which will for ever haunt Joe. He met the canvas 6 times in 2 rounds and was absolutely annihilated by the younger hard-hitting Foreman. Further losses to Ali x2 and one more to Foreman make up his four defeats, it that stat which shows perfectly how 'Frazier lost to the best, but destroyed the rest.' Unfortunately, that's only enough for eighth place on this list.

7. Lennox Lewis
Admit it! You didn't really like Lewis when he was around, too boring, too defensive. Maybe those comments are true, but I know one comment that is certainly correct and that is 'too good'! People whined when Lennox was one top but when he retired a lot of people realised how much they missed him and how important he was. Lewis beat every man he fought, that's more than most men can say, and it's a testament to his heart. Remember when the then unknown Hasim Rahman took Lewis' title, his dignity and his unbeaten which at that point dated back to 1994? Back then most thought he was finished, over the hill and out of the picture. But no, Lennox shown that famous Lion's heart and came back, regained the title via a thunderous knock out and then made 2 more defences before retiring as a champion. Lewis beat every top class heavyweight of the 90's, bar none (he beat Riddick Bowe in the Olympics) and that's no easy feat. Holyfield - check. Tyson - check. Tua -check. Morrison - check. The list could go on. But the main point here is, like him or love him, Lewis slots in at 7 on the count down.

Jake Shaw's Greatest Heavyweights of All Time. Numbers 6-3 will be next week!