There is a reason for that when it comes to guys like Ike Ibeabuchi because he never got a chance to fulfill his potential. -And He was not a dominating champion. Nor was Tua. I would comfortably pick Lennox Lewis over zora Foley. I would comfortably pick Evander Holyfield over Oscar Bonavena.
No I don't. He hit hard but is overrated as a puncher because he couldn't do squat with the best guys he fought and in fact also looked less than irresistible against lesser fighters like Rahman, Oquendo, Izon as well. Just like Williams, Lyle, Shavers etc did when they stepped up their competition. So I don't consider him having top end power because he never produced it against a top end fighter.
I didn't see Ike/Tua live as it happened.. I was driving cross country and called home and heard all about this awesome fight. They referenced the Thrill In Manila etc. In punches connected I believe. I was interested in Tua as a contender so I was a bit disappointed to hear he lost. When I finally saw the fight it wasn't what I expected. Perhaps the bar was raised because I'm expecting to see the Thrilla. Tua and Ike appeared to be playing patty cake in there. Especially Ike. He we busy but so many arm punches. It could have been by design because if you put anything on Tua keep him pacified. The jab was in his face. Something was missing maybe intensity.
Reaching for what? Ibeabuchi was untested. He beat two decent (but at the time not quite proven) contenders before he could go onto the next step. Only using what we have from the two bouts is not enough. There was a level above as there always is that he did not experience. It’s like cutting Cooneys career before he met Holmes, or any number of other can’t miss champions who did not make it before they moved up. They all look great before moving up. Jeff Merritt. Mike Williams. Boone kirkman. Frank Bruno. Charlie Retzlaff, Pat Comiskey, Cleveland Williams, Jose Urtain..
To repeat my point,neither did Shavers,Williams, Ruddock,Morrison, Lyle, or Foster.So you must consider them lacking in that department! Tua couldn't do squat with Oquendo? He knocked him out! This content is protected Tua couldn't do squat with Izon? He knocked him out! This content is protected This content is protected
I'm referring to Mac Foster.Frazier ko'd Doug Jones and Bob Foster both were really light heavies .Who else did he actually ko ,as in knock down for a count of ten?
Tua had none of the offensive skill of Frazier, no way could Tua hit Ali as much as Joe did, it would have been just like his fight v Lewis.