Top 5 Heavyweight Champions in the 1950s | A Brief Chronology of the 1950s Heavyweight Championship

A brief chronology of the 1950s world heavyweight boxing championship.
Who were the Top 5 world heavyweight boxing champions during the 1950s?
In this particular case, there were exactly 5 boxers who held the heavyweight championship between January 1st, 1950 and December 31st, 1959, and those men were Ezzard Charles, Jersey Joe Walcott, Rocky Marciano, Floyd Patterson, and Ingemar Johansson. For the purposes of this video, we are specifically comparing championship reigns and championship bouts during this period.
So who were the Top 5 heavyweight champions during the 1950s?
This video documentary will attempt to answer that question.
www.boxingnews24.com/
This episode of Rummy's Corner was written, narrated, and produced by Geoffrey Ciani (aka - Rummy).
Ranking the Top 5 Heavyweight Boxing Champions in the 1950s | A Brief Chronology of the 1950s Heavyweight Championship

[@devonbell6795]

I always enjoy Rummy’s nuanced and thoughtful analysis. Nicely done Fun fact about Jersey Joe. He went on to be elected as the Camden County (NJ) Sheriff. He was the first African-American man elected to the post and served from 1971-1974.

[@LBG-cf8gu]

I'll be damned. Who's going to give him any guff? same-same Tyson in prison. Thanks for the upload.

[@carson21211]

I just love the flashing of the old cameras. Really brings out some of those powerful punches and makes them seem even more devastating. This is tremendous stuff. Please do each decade after this to modern day!!!

[@RummysCorner]

I plan to! Hoping to have the 1960s one done next week.

[@Hawkster52]

I really hope you do this for other decades. I know you'll likely never do another decade in review like the 90's one but I really love videos like this that cover the historical periods of HW champions.

[@RummysCorner]

I do plan to do a video like this for every complete decade going forward.

[@RingIQ]

Still the best yt boxing video ever

[@musicandboxing7370]

Nostalgia is keeping people in the Ali Forman Era. The most stacked heavyweight Era was the 90s

[@jasonellis9777]

That sounds like a great series to look forward to. Can’t wait! Thank you Sir.

[@BusinessOfFear]

@@RummysCorner This is why Rummy is the best in the business!

[@Siscon92]

I hope you never change the Intro 😂. Love this type of content. I became an instant fan with your video about about a chronology of the 90s boxing. That’s also the reason I became more interested in the story of boxing than in current boxing ngl

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you! And rest assured I have no plans of ever changing the intro.

[@rickylozada7994]

It's 9 AM EST and Rummy posted a new video. Today is going to be a good day 😂😂

[@RummysCorner]

Good morning! And thank you, most appreciated!

[@seniordavidmanderson9232]

Rocky was always so nice and humble. He never trash talked his opponents and always praised their fighting abilities before he broke them , he let his fist do the talking.

[@dexocube]

He was brutal in the ring

[@davidcook680]

Before Ali. All boxers were humble and didn't show boat. Ali is one of the greatest. However he changed boxing for the worse.

[@Wallyworld30]

@@davidcook680 Ali's loud mouth sold millions in ticket and PPV sales. It's not as gentlemenly but Boxers after Ali made the crazy money they did because he broke the old mold. Ali made boxing the most popular sport in the world for a while.

[@gavinfox1678]

He was humble but didn't like it when his opponents saw him train and actually had people make sure they got loyal reporters to not give up the location

[@josephshields2922]

You stole my thunder. Yeah, but many stayed sportsmanly at least until the 80's. Ali copied his act from a wrestler, was it Georgous George? Another thing copied from wrestling was the exotic costumes. Right up until Ali's first layoff fighters wore simply Black and White shorts. The first colored shorts i remember was Ali v Frazier where Ali wore the matador red and Frazier had the long green trunks.@@davidcook680

[@tempestvideos9834]

You're a hell of an inspiration, Rumsfeld.

[@ZBOXINGTALK]

Watched it before it got deleted, great video Rummy, and Ezzard Charles was an incredible fighter and champion, both at Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight.

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you very much. Glad you enjoyed it. And apologies for reuploading... as soon as it went up I noticed something in the video cut I didn't like, and figured it was worth fixing. Cheers!

[@ZBOXINGTALK]

@@RummysCorner That’s fine man, these videos really got me interested in the old school boxing history.

[@datapro007]

Another interesting and insightful video about the history of boxing. Thank you sir.

[@blackbaron0]

Completely agree. Had to be the Rock at the top and Inger at the bottom. Charles beating Joe Louis was what tipped him into second for me too.

[@taxavation]

Walcott should have beaten Louis in the first fight. Just a awful decision

[@michalsaridshwartz2015]

I agree with your order Romi. But for me it will always be Jersey Joe.

[@ministryoftruth8523]

I definitely agree with Rummy's assessment. But as a non related side note: Walcott's knockout of Charles is, in my humble opinion, the greatest, best timed knockout I've, personally, ever seen. Great video.

[@surrealistidealist]

In my opinion, there is such an under-appreciated world of difference between Walcott, Charles & Marciano vs Patterson & Ingo.

[@kakonis]

Marciano was the Wilder of his era, mocked by purists for his bad footwork, already at a disadvantage after a late start in boxing, and yet possessed of a will that allowed him to destroy much more talented fighters. When you remember how small Marciano was, and his limited reach, his feats as a heavyweight only become that much more remarkable. Saying he beat up only "old" fighters is nonsense. The "old" Archie he beat was a rejuvenated man, in some ways more dangerous than in his prime.

[@somah1470]

For me Jersey Joe Walcott is one of the greatest ever. He was an absolute innovator, no one had ever moved in the ring with the ease of Jersey Joe Walcott. The art of boxing... He was very unlucky, he got robbed in the first fight against Joe Louis. The second time was a gaffe. He also outclassed Marciano until that knockout. He was at his peak at 38-39.

[@shanechristian2253]

The rematch against Louis was Louis finally caught him like he did everybody. It wasn't a mistake. Jersey Joe outboxed the older champ until he got knocked out similar to his 1st match against Rocky.

[@sorshiaemms5959]

@@shanechristian2253 the better champions are always better second time around

[@diaz-juan-cablo-paolo-loui1460]

Yeah true Marciano got outclassed But Marciano had more determination more stamina and Superior punching power

[@jamesalandixon]

People trash Marciano but he must be one of the toughest men ever to step foot in a prize ring.

[@elwin38]

Plus he fought ALL the top light heavy/heavyweights and beat them all.

[@wheelchairmanjon]

Great video as always in my opinion, you are one of the best video makers for the history of boxing perspective. Keep educating people.

[@RummysCorner]

I appreciate that. Thank you very much!

[@stevephilbrick7912]

I’m a big fan of Floyd Patterson and I reflexively put him at number 2, but I agree with you. Nice vid Rummy 👍🏻

[@josephshields2922]

After your explanation I reluctantly agree. Had Patterrson's comeback against Ingemar been considered however I would have placed him over Charles.He also beat Ingo a 2nd time and had a much better post championship Career beating Chuvao, Machen, Cooper, and Bonavena. Many folks think he beat Ellis which should have given him a 3rd title. I would love to have seen a Marciano patterson fight,

[@Dazlingmagic]

Excellent! Thank you. I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Floyd Patterson, if he had won the Light-Heavy title first and then moved up to Heavyweight we might all be talking about him as an all-time great! But it is hard to argue with you rankings!

[@bobabrams6759]

Brilliantly done

[@Hugh_Morris]

Jersey Joe's KO of Charles is my favourite KO ever

[@josephphoenix1376]

Excellent Episode 👍 Complete Agreement!

[@samuelmahmud1909]

Great video coverage Rummy🥊🥊💯

[@paulanthony3646]

Love this channel !! Thanks for making the videos, Rummy !!

[@anthonycapoocia2460]

Always say your the best. Content very informative all the time. Great stuff.

[@mactheknife7049]

A sound analysis. Something I've always thought would be good fodder for an in-depth look are the circumstances under which the titles vacated by Tunney, Louis and Marciano were filled, in each case by a so-called "undisputed" champion. Max Schmeling is viewed as a lineal successor to Tunney, Ezzard Charles gets reconned into being Joe Louis' lineal successor in the minds of most, and Floyd Patterson is seen as Marciano's lineal successor, but none of those were as cut-and-dried as they seem. Patterson for instance fought Hurricane Jackson and Archie Moore in an aborted three-man round-robin tournament to claim the title. Schmeling was deemed champion after two years of vacancy. Charles was given NBA recognition, but the IBU matched Lee Savold and Bruce Woodcock for their "world title." Point being is that in each case history has created a continuous line when contemporary history was very much in question.

[@RummysCorner]

Excellent observations, all. Sometimes the history isn't clear until the dust has settled, like the situation where Jim Corbett retired, Peter Maher was the new champion, and then Corbett unretired in a situation where history tends to forget Maher, and his claim is generally dismissed and did not withstand the test of time.

[@justonyambi8711]

Your output these days is nothing shy of spectacular

[@skelelator]

Excellent choices

[@denizbaran2496]

Your videos inspire me so much thanks for your efforts

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you very much for the kind words - most appreciated.

[@kevinbarry4325]

Good shining review

[@Steve-ef5pj]

Nice recap, Rummy. Another excellent job.

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you very much! Appreciate that.

[@NathanPops]

Bang on. I think you nailed it.

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you. Cheers!

[@keithcampbell6806]

Excellent the best simple single word to describe this documentary.

[@RummysCorner]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you very much.

[@atkinssmith2129]

Do you have videos from other divisions breaking it down the same way. If so I'd love it. Thanks. It's keeping me from reading.

[@anatolearakelian8454]

Your channel is just so awesome man. Brings me back to a few years ago when I was super into boxing history as well as the current fights. I've lost some of that enthusiasm since then, but watching your videos reignites the passion. Thank you for what you do!

[@RummysCorner]

I really appreciate that! Thank you very much for the kind words. Cheers!

[@elwin38]

Good job Rummy!! Keep up the great work!✊🏾🥊🥊

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you very much!

[@glynhannaford7332]

Your rating analysis is pure gold Geoff. Based on rock solid knowledge and empirical facts, and totally without prejudice. 👏 I totally agree with your conclusions and look forward to the next episode.

[@RummysCorner]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you very much for the kind words!

[@nickharmer3049]

Great work Rummy. A decade little spoken about, on YT anyway. Really appreciate this. Bless up bro 👊

[@RummysCorner]

Many thanks. Cheers!

[@jimblomqvist3055]

I think you’re spot on!!👊🏻

[@PoorStretch]

Good video and think your order is pretty clear and correct (especially if you are only judging based on title bouts in the 1950s only)

[@carson21211]

Your channel is the best for boxing history. Much love.

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you very much. Glad you enjoy it!

[@surrealistidealist]

My ranking: 1) Marciano 2) Charles 3) Walcott 4) Patterson 5) Ingo

[@callumwarren3342]

I totally agree.

[@mikestunt77]

Great vid as always, just a little advice from a fellow italian, you mispronounce Marciano, the "c" has the same sound of the c in children or check, it's a kind of MarCHiano

[@billybob9961]

Great video I always look forward to yours. Maybe I might switch Floyd Patterson but I always really admired his style and heart.

[@bareknuckles2u]

100% spot on!

[@mr_babadook_0181]

Complete agreed 👍🏼

[@mymountrushmore6235]

Seems well done to me. I’d even say Walcott has an argument over Patterson career wise (they’re both damn close) but have no problem w Patterson being over him

[@wraithstrongopark]

They can't stop this! I'll thumb up again. Big up, Rummy!

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you very much. Cheers (and apologies for needing to re-upload).

[@Dracbrewer]

Agreed! Absolutely Perfect Rummy!!!

[@braddaulton3976]

Rocky’s fights with Charles were awesome!

[@colinwyatt-goodall4632]

Brilliant vid. I knew Marciano's record well, especially his run as champion but never stopped and thought how good it actually was. While i am a massive rocky fan I generally played his record down and felt the 0 was a sign that he never faced the best.....but you cant argue with 5 of 6 being the ring no 1 contender. It saddens me to compare records like that to the garbage padding many records today have (wilder, fury, joshua). IF the top guys face one another it will only be once and far to late at that. The alphabet soup has ruined boxing.

[@sorshiaemms5959]

Rocky was not young him self and all those old guys were beating the young guys rocky fought 5 champions in his time

[@callumwarren3342]

@@sorshiaemms5959 the Louis that smashed Schmeling in the rematch would have been a monumental task for Marciano to contend with >:)

[@dexocube]

@@callumwarren3342 He would have been a monumental task for anybody.

[@tomjc147]

AJ being "active" 🤦‍♂️ 8 months between bouts snf Fury the 🦆. Todays heavyweights are useless.

[@lukasbook7796]

Rocky Marciano takes the no 1 spot for sure

[@alivstyson1864]

Totally Agree spot on. I think Marciano is way way under rated my most people. I would like to hear your take on the following Match Ups. Marciano - Tyson Marciano - Liston Tyson - Liston Holmes - Liston PS i dont give Listons wins over Patterson much credence as I think AT LEAST 5 OR 6 other champs besides Liston also knock Patterson cold.

[@michalsaridshwartz2015]

Hi good afternoon from Israel. Your video Romi made my day as always!

[@nsha3110]

Free Palestine

[@lucawulzer937]

@@nsha3110 ahahah...you are a little bit impolite

[@robbielong2884]

Love for you to do a video about the ibo . Your thoughts if you think it’s on its way to be another real title . Over here in England you are seeing a lot more of it being used as a “real” world title /head lining cards

[@keeganbluegrass]

“Top five heavyweight champions” bruh there was literally only five heavyweight champions in the decade. 10/10 awesome video but that title is pretty funny. On another note, you should do this for every decade 1890’s onward perhaps not limiting it to champions for those decades that wouldn’t allow it.

[@roudyralpher9539]

I totally agree 💯💯💯

[@hiegstar]

I concur sir.

[@peterstern5266]

Great job on this one, Rummy....as usual! But where's Sugar Ray Robinson, Jake LaMotta, Willie Pastrano, Carmen Basilio??? Robinson should definitely be 1 or 2. The only change on your list in ranking for me is Charles and Patterson. I think Floyd should be #2, but as you said the choice between these two is very close. Just curious...how do you rate Eddie Machen in that era?

[@glennr2358]

Yeh, spot on in my book.

[@pughoneycutt1986]

Glad to see Charles finally get the respect he deserves

[@krl97a]

Some of those long in the tooth guys were in their prime late in their careers. After getting knocked out by Marciano Archie Moore reigned as light heavyweight champion for several years, and compiled a post Marciano record of 37-3-2, avenging one of the losses and draws. That alone would be a great career for most boxers.

[@RummysCorner]

I agree 100%!

[@kc1973able]

Totally agree!! 🥊👍. Be interesting for you to do a 1980’s Welterweight one and 80’s Lightweight & Featherweight ☝️ 💥🥊🥊 Not asking for much I know 😂 but wow that s three packed divisions in that great era 👍

[@andrewmorris6187]

My pick is 1 Marciano 2 Charles 3 Patterson 4 Walcott 5 Johansson The same as rummey.

[@p4pking.]

Grate brake down with a good list. 1 question do you believe Fury could of beat any of the top 5 if so who & why or why not. Thx

[@dexocube]

I've heard Marciano described as a freak of nature. I don't know about that, but he was definitely unique. Deffo number one in the fifties.

[@Blackson187]

I think 2 is a toss-up between Patterson and Charles, but the rest is spot-on.

[@RAZVANJUSTIN1]

The 70's and 90's should be the most interesting

[@apallok54]

For me it will be rocky. His impression is still talked about today with his record and ko rate. Also his mark on American culture. He was the American dream.

[@tyrojames9937]

SWEET!!😎😎

[@kufujitsu]

Heavyweights age slower than boxers in other weight classes - so I have no issue with his wins against Ezzard, Walcott, & Moore. When Marciano beat them, they were pretty much in their primes - maybe at the tail end of their primes, but their abilities were still at their best & they were fighting at a high level.

[@atkinssmith2129]

I agree.

[@shinestar2912]

I Concur

[@foozballguy]

Rummy, did you make one for the 1940s? I know it's mostly Joe Louis, but curious about the others. Also, 30s would be cool, too.

[@RummysCorner]

No. I started with 50s, as my ultimate plan was to end with 2 bigger episodes, one of them focusing on Joe Louis. I still need to finish the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, and the 90s one is already a work-in-progress. But I have a few videos I'd like to tackle before that. I may ultimately circle back to the 1930s at some point, as I find that stretch of heavyweight history to be rather fascinating.

[@adariepennant3389]

they should make a glory heavyweight Grand Prix pride ultimate contender boxing tournament make things easier for Fighters.💪🤝💯🥊✔✊🔥💥

[@johnnyzee383]

I could do that with my computer boxing program....

[@MastodonMonkey]

The fighters have to wear brass knuckles 🥊🧁😎🍄🍿

[@CutterHistorical]

Will this be a series of the best heavyweights per decade up to the 2010s?

[@RummysCorner]

Yes. That's the plan. I will probably do the 1960s one next, and they I may tackle a few different videos before I resume with the 1970s.

[@elwin38]

@@RummysCorner The 70's will be fun, i cant wait...my childhood decade and when i started getting into boxing. So many great heavyweights(including the ones who never won the title).

[@michaeljohnson5365]

Question did they have smaller ounce gloves then?

[@nolanbowen8800]

I would have made the same list. Marciano could have been first in almost any decade. The only thing is he was in the mid 180s as was Ezzard Charles and Patterson. Today, unless they could put on weight they'd be cruiserweights. All of them were greats!

[@BlinkBoyBrad]

Agree

[@realdeal8225]

People say Marcianno ducked Paterson.. But I think Rocky knocks him out early. It would of been interesting to see Rocky vs Cleveland Williams or vs Sonny Liston. Even though Rocky was retired when Liston started to make waves in the heavyweight division and they turned Professional at different stages, I do think they was close in age. (Listons D.O.B was never confirmed)

[@danielsalinas6683]

Yeah Liston’s birthdate has always been debated. The official year of his birth is 1932 but I’ve heard he was born in 1928 and even as early as 1919.

[@kevinbarry4325]

I agree

[@henry-bo3np]

Rocky Marciano is without a doubt the top heavyweight of the 1950s. But look at his competition. This is why a lot of people do not know how to rank Rocky vs other champions who beat an all time top 10 heavyweight in that fighter's prime.

[@andrew3xuk346]

Agreed

[@raymonddonahue7282]

Marciano no 1

[@michaeljohnson5365]

Rocky Marciano the greatest of all time

[@j.d.thompson3505]

Ezzard Charles was quick for a heavyweight. Rocky was #1.

[@callumwarren3342]

Charles was far more accomplished pound for pound though. His run at Light Heavy is truly awe inspiring.

[@deanthiessen7306]

Good job Rummy.

[@RummysCorner]

Thank you!

[@cjns5253]

Patterson was a brillant boxer 2 time heavyweight champion

[@sorshiaemms5959]

I think you nailed this one bang on the one think not mention Marciano fought Louis as well and was the only one to ko him also he was not exactly young himself and all these so called old guys kept beating up the young guys untill Patterson all these guys had fantastic styles lots to be learned from these guys

[@TheTruthTalker_]

Probably my favorite heavyweight era of all time. Before heavyweights became weirdly big and either pumped full of steroids or fat monsters.

[@rileygibson4615]

2000s And 2010s Are Pretty Hard Cause there’s lots of champions

[@pastorkoger1350]

Here!!!

[@mustafakoksal-lo5bt]

1) Rocky Marciano 2) Jersey Joe walcott 3) Ezzard Charles 4) Ingemar Johansson 5) Floyd Patterson

[@jroggs85]

The main criticism I have is with the arbitrary date restriction. Maybe instead it would be better to use the decade as a way to generally narrow the era and then examine the full championship reign of each fighter, perhaps with the caveat that other reigns that didn't extend into the decade don't count.

[@RummysCorner]

I totally understand what you're saying, and I'm trying to "build" towards something more in line with what you're saying here.

[@jroggs85]

@@RummysCorner Cool! Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[@franciscoaguirre9169]

Tight, Tight, Tight!

[@RummysCorner]

I was just thinking about Los Pollos Hermanos earlier. Thanks for making my day with this.

[@ronmailloux8655]

Rocky had to be number one as Rummy pointed out. He started very late for a boxer he had the heart of a lion and the fierceness of a tiger. He was short in stature and reach but over came this and used it to his advantage . His stamina was out of this world because his training methods were spartan and long.

[@lasselarsen1650]

Maybe a dumb question. But i cant figure out What the number next to the Championship record means…pls help

[@nastynaz3376]

You forgot to mention, Jersey Joe became the oldest Heavyweight champion of all time

[@jackslater5886]

No Archie Moore?