Lets not go that far, only one fight I seen on film had Marciano rubbery legged, and that was Marciano Walcott I round 11, were Walcott hit Marciano under the heart near the end of the round. Marciano was just hanging on.
I not sure on that top 10 of all time. WHEN Holyfiled fought them. I dont think Bowe makes a top ten list. Tyson maybe, but that would be pre prison Tyson. Not post prison Tyson. I would not put old Foreman in the top ten, and give old Foreman less chance against many of the greats from the past, I give you Lewis though, but Holyfiled lost both in my eyes.
Not really a matter of greatness, but more or less how well can they crack as the thread topic is about Chin. Why the hell would Holyfield ever be expected to win at 36-37 years old against very arguably the greatest superheavyweight of all-time in Lennox Lewis in the midst of his prime? He was outweighed by 20-25+ lbs. Same for Bowe, who would make many top ten H2H lists based on his immense size and skillset. Old Foreman lost nothing in terms of blunt trauma force on his blows and truth be told, had a better chin himself and improved defense. He won the title back three years AFTER Holyfield, who was outweighed by 50 LBS in that fight.
People love to underrate the Tyson fight by conveniently forgetting he came into that fight as a huge favorite. If anything, it was Holyfield who was viewed as being further past prime. He'd gone through a trilogy with Riddick Bowe and recently battled with heart conditions and Hepatitis A in addition to being four years Tyson's senior. Holyfield was supposed to fall down when Tyson hit him. Listen, there isnt any excuse to be made for Mike Tyson and I'm a huge fan. Tyson was being asked about Holyfield as early as June 1988 after the Spinks fight. Holyfield was the No. 1 contender (as rated by Ring Magazine) for several years. It was Tyson who lost to Douglas. It was Tyson who pulled out with a rib injury and it was Tyson who got charged and convicted of **** after telling Harry Carpenter he's regained his focus by "staying away from the girls". None of this **** is Holyfield's problem. He wouldve taken on any version of Mike.
that's fair but in addressing pure punching power? tyson and foreman were post peak but still monsters. lewis was post peak as well (best i ever saw was morrison) but he was at the height of his punching. he stunned but never hurt holy. foreman did (round 7) and tyson did (round 3 i think in the first) but couldn't put him down. of the top 100 punchers of all time according to ring (flawed but a decent barometer) holyfield took punches from 3 in the top 50, 2 in the top 20.
Lewis was definitely in-prime and at his overall, complete powers. If he wasnt, then I'm thoroughly convinced the man never had one. He wasnt in 1994 when he got stopped by McCall, he wasnt in 2001 when he was brutally KTFO by Rahman. He wasnt in 1996 when he took a disputed MD against Mercer. Was he in 1997 when he avenged the McCall defeat in unfortunate fashion? Or when he got far more from expected against Mavrovic? Pretty ****ing ridiculous really, with some of his fanboys. Tyson's prime was 1986-91. Simple. Holyfield 1987-93 including cruiser work. Simple. This 2 year, 2 fight prime stuff is silly. Easy outlet for the excuse train if you ask me.
So Marciano face 3 of the top 100 punchers on the list. I didnt add Louis because of being past prime.