Would butterbean have been a serious contender ..

No he wouldn't. He was a glorified clubfighter, even at his best.

 

A prime Butterbean would be a serious contender now.

 

No.
He would be a sensation in a side-show.

Try to beat him! Only 5 Dollars!

 

Based on beating a bunch of local club fighters, and guys like McNeeley/Monaco? Yeah sure..... Ask 2-11 Mitchell Rose, or a 50+ year old Larry Holmes how good Butterbean was.

 

Grandpa Holmes put that jab in his face. Nice ending for Holmes, beating "a name fighter" even if he was only a clubfighter.

 

3-3 Johnny Davis challenged Joe Louis for a title right?:tong

 

Prime Butterbean beats guys like Solis and Thompson... and in just 4 rounds!

 

You need to get your facts straight. That fight was an exhibition until the NYSAC changed their rules no longer allowing exhibitions.
http://boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Fight:1080993

 

Heavyweight title at stake per New York State Athletic Commission ruling

Billed as a title fight


Article contradicts itself.

 

I am sure if Butterbean would be in the mix today, that one user here, coming out of the land where Dinosaurs live, would tell us that Butterbean is the next HW Champ, the one that would outclass and KO Wlad easiely.. I am very sure .. :deal

 

Like i said, get your facts straight. It was an exhibition until the NYSAC changed it to a title fight saying exhibitions were no longer allowed. This isnt Louis going out and picking this guy to defend his title against, this lies squarly on the shoulders of the NYSAC. Anyone seeing it differently has no clue what they are talking about.

 

He would have always been a side show novelty in any era.

 

I don't know but look at Tony Galento.

 

I don't know, but Mitchell Rose would have.