80's HW beltholders: who was the best/the worst

I go with Tim Witherspoon as being the best by virtue of his being a two time belt holder and having the largest number of named wins out of that bunch. The worst can be a few guys, but I'll say Greg Page.

 

Tim also has wins over Tony Tubbs, Renaldo Snipes, Greg Page, Frank Bruno, James Smith, James Tillis, James, Broad, Carl Williams, Jose Ribalta, Jorge Gonzalez, Alfred Cole and was arguably robbed against Ray Mercer. I don't think any other heavyweight of the 80's with the exception of Tyson and Holmes has a better win list than that.

 

Probably true. There were about 5 or 6 of them who didn't look like they stood out much. Witherspoon and Weaver are probably my top pics for that group.

 

Michael Dokes was the worst. His only win over anyone in that group was his first-round stoppage over Weaver, which came right after the Mancini-Kim fight by a panicked referee who everyone with eyes knew stopped it way too soon. Dokes never defeated anyone else.

The best of the "beltholders" was probably Pinklon Thomas. He outpointed a fit Tim Witherspoon. Drew with a prime, top-ranked Coetzee. Knocked out a still relevant Mike Weaver. Knocked out a highly-rated Quick Tillis on one day's notice. Was a big favorite over Berbick - but Pinklon was going thru a divorce and his trainer Angelo Dundee didn't show up for the fight leaving his corner in chaos - and a listless Thomas was edged over 12 rounds. He also performed better against a streaking Tyson than his peers Tubbs, Smith or Berbick did.

Also, Witherspoon and Thomas were fighting their best when they met. Thomas was clearly better.

 

Best, probably Witherspoon.Worst, Smith.

 

This will do for an answer. :good

 

Berbick is inarguably in the middle somewhere.

 

Tubbs… Tubbs.

TUBBS!

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It was the best of TUBBS, it was the worst of TUBBS, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair

 

Best -Whitherspoon
"worst" ( i respect all 80,s Champs ) -Weaver

 

Technically Ali was also a Lineal Champ until Holmes beat him.

The best of the rest? Tough decision. I want to pick Witherspoon but the problem with any of these guys was that they were inconsistent.

Witherspoon lost a close decision to Holmes, beat James Smith by clear decision, won close decisions over Tubbs and Page, and he stopped Bruno. He also lost a close decision to Pinklon Thomas and was stopped in 1 round by Smith in their rematch.

 

One mans best is another mans worst on this question, and vice versa!