Greatest heavyweight in their prime?
09 May 2016, 06:05 PM
#1
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Greatest heavyweight in their prime?
There are strong arguments for Ali, Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Liston, Frazier, Klitschko's, Holyfield, Marciano being the greatest of all time due to various achievements, but which boxer was so good in his prime, no matter how short, that nobody past or present could ever wish to beat him?
Many claim Tyson was unstoppable under Rooney, many claim he never fought anyone dangerous in that period. You also have your Galota and McCall's, fighters who were a match for anyone when their head was right.
Fighters with good records such as Riddick Bowe who "avoided" tricky opponents. 43 wins and only 1 defeat, on points to Holyfield.
What about modern champions? Wilder and Fury embrace wild styles but look far from beatable.
What about a wildcard? Paul Sykes of Wakefield. 31 years old when he turned professional, he earned a shot at the British and Commonwealth title after just 8 fights, 2 of his opponents were seriously hurt, one put in a coma. Not bad for an alcoholic and smoker to boot who had lived on scant prison food for the previous 14 years. Many claimed Sykes was the hardest man in Britain in the 80's but he was refused a boxing license in physical peak.
Many claim Tyson was unstoppable under Rooney, many claim he never fought anyone dangerous in that period. You also have your Galota and McCall's, fighters who were a match for anyone when their head was right.
Fighters with good records such as Riddick Bowe who "avoided" tricky opponents. 43 wins and only 1 defeat, on points to Holyfield.
What about modern champions? Wilder and Fury embrace wild styles but look far from beatable.
What about a wildcard? Paul Sykes of Wakefield. 31 years old when he turned professional, he earned a shot at the British and Commonwealth title after just 8 fights, 2 of his opponents were seriously hurt, one put in a coma. Not bad for an alcoholic and smoker to boot who had lived on scant prison food for the previous 14 years. Many claimed Sykes was the hardest man in Britain in the 80's but he was refused a boxing license in physical peak.
09 May 2016, 06:42 PM
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It'd be interesting to see Ali v the likes of Tyson or Valuev, fighters who weren't tested in their physical peak.
I sometime think Ali would go the way of Berbick against Mike, trying to fight toe to toe in some futile machismo gesture.
The ultimate brain-twister for me is 35yo Lewis v 21yo Tyson. Many a night I've laid in bed trying to visualize what would happen. Tyson bobbing and weaving at knee height whilst holding gloves in that familiar peekaboo style, Lewis uppercutting with enough fury to knock a Rhino out.
I read of an African fighter once who was virtually unbeatable but he lost to mental illness. Can't for the life of me recall his name.
I sometime think Ali would go the way of Berbick against Mike, trying to fight toe to toe in some futile machismo gesture.
The ultimate brain-twister for me is 35yo Lewis v 21yo Tyson. Many a night I've laid in bed trying to visualize what would happen. Tyson bobbing and weaving at knee height whilst holding gloves in that familiar peekaboo style, Lewis uppercutting with enough fury to knock a Rhino out.
I read of an African fighter once who was virtually unbeatable but he lost to mental illness. Can't for the life of me recall his name.
09 May 2016, 06:49 PM
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I used to think Brazil of the late 60's would take a 3-0 lead against a 21st century Brazilian side into half time on the back of superior skill, natural talent, motivation and flair, but the newer side would gradually draw level due to conditioning, proven tactics and fitness. Not sure how this would equate to boxing though. Could a jabber like Wlad Klitschko wear down the likes of Ali when he can't actually hit him?
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09 May 2016, 09:37 PM
#9
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I'm not sure of his Heavyweight record but he stood at 128-1 in his Prime, I think Charlie Zelenoff is the only fighter to rival that with 142-0, but his idea of boxing isn't too dissimilar to my idea of racing.
09 May 2016, 10:08 PM
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Vitali/Lewis
There are strong arguments for Ali, Foreman, Lennox Lewis, Liston, Frazier, Klitschko's, Holyfield, Marciano being the greatest of all time due to various achievements, but which boxer was so good in his prime, no matter how short, that nobody past or present could ever wish to beat him?
Many claim Tyson was unstoppable under Rooney, many claim he never fought anyone dangerous in that period. You also have your Galota and McCall's, fighters who were a match for anyone when their head was right.
Fighters with good records such as Riddick Bowe who "avoided" tricky opponents. 43 wins and only 1 defeat, on points to Holyfield.
What about modern champions? Wilder and Fury embrace wild styles but look far from beatable.
What about a wildcard? Paul Sykes of Wakefield. 31 years old when he turned professional, he earned a shot at the British and Commonwealth title after just 8 fights, 2 of his opponents were seriously hurt, one put in a coma. Not bad for an alcoholic and smoker to boot who had lived on scant prison food for the previous 14 years. Many claimed Sykes was the hardest man in Britain in the 80's but he was refused a boxing license in physical peak.
Many claim Tyson was unstoppable under Rooney, many claim he never fought anyone dangerous in that period. You also have your Galota and McCall's, fighters who were a match for anyone when their head was right.
Fighters with good records such as Riddick Bowe who "avoided" tricky opponents. 43 wins and only 1 defeat, on points to Holyfield.
What about modern champions? Wilder and Fury embrace wild styles but look far from beatable.
What about a wildcard? Paul Sykes of Wakefield. 31 years old when he turned professional, he earned a shot at the British and Commonwealth title after just 8 fights, 2 of his opponents were seriously hurt, one put in a coma. Not bad for an alcoholic and smoker to boot who had lived on scant prison food for the previous 14 years. Many claimed Sykes was the hardest man in Britain in the 80's but he was refused a boxing license in physical peak.
09 May 2016, 10:15 PM
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09 May 2016, 10:38 PM
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Says the person who makes out Tyson was a myth, Lewis is the greatest H.W and Fury would beat A.J....
A.J would make light work of Fury. Fury is the biggest joke in H.W history!One more pay day for the Pikey before he goes back to stripping lead from Church roofs!
09 May 2016, 11:27 PM
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Ali full stop. Tyson would have been but went awol once his mentor Cus Damarto passed away. Rooney although a very good trainer couldnt control him they way Cus did. Probably in my life time the best heavyweights were around in the 70's & 80's. Norton, frazier,shavers,foreman etc etc. Its my honest opinion that you should only judge who you think is the greatest if you've seen them fight and not go by record books.