Your unpopular boxing opinions

Hey, that hits too close to home!

 

Without head butts, HGH, PEDs, bribed doctors for his heart condition Evander “Evan Fields” Holyfield would have been one of the greatest cruiserweights but a failed Heavyweight.

 

Yes, my perference is to discuss fantasy fights which never happened with fighters in similar weight classes and from similar eras. Proposing matches with Jim Corbett and Rocky Marciano or even Jim Corbett against Jack Johnson or Jack Dempsey just doesn't mate with my perception of reality. Give Jim Corbett a break for Xt's sake. Who would have won a fight between Jack Johnson and Dempsey or Basilio and Randy Turpin as examples?

 

That's cool. I'm kind of in the same boat. I absolutely detest threads like: how would Roy Jones, Jr. do vs. Bob Fitzsimmons, or much worse, how would Wladimir Klitschko do against Jack Dempsey, or even more absurd: how would Ron Stander do against George Foreman (who the heck cares?).

 

Jim Corbett actually challenged Jack Johnson to a fight and it was a realistic chance of happening (or at least there was newspaper talk), until Jim Jeffries came out of retirement and agreed to fight Johnson.

 

It wouldn't end up well for old Corbett...

 

It would've have made the Jeffries fight look like a thoroughly even and well matched contest.

 

I used to balk at this thought, but after watching his career set thoroughly I see why you guys think this. I don't think he beats Duran, but I do think he beats Whitaker.

 

Ah, someone who understands me @George Crowcroft.

 

One day, you'll be infected with C.O.L.D too and you'll know what's it like....

 

This was the line of thinking at the time and it makes sense.

But a few things to think about::
1. Corbett stayed in much better shape than Jeffries. He was a naturally better athlete, despite what you read on some websites nowadays.
2. The fight from memory was only ever going to be a 6 rounder not a finish fight.
3. Johnson did not like being aggressive and rarely KOd fighters early. He was always cautious no matter what.
4. It is hard to imagine Corbett being easier to hit than Jeffries. His style was completely different and his movement a lot better, no matter what considion he was in.
5. Corbett was never really outboxed over 6 rounds and when he was it was the swarming types who gave him more trouble than the conservative Johnson types.
6. Even his last fight against Jeffries, corbett did put on a very good show before fading.
7. Johnson loved to carry his opponents, pretty sure he wouldnt KO Corbett in 6.

All in all, obviously Corbett was never winning the Title back at this stage. Still, it is a real shame it didnt happen, even if just to give us more film of Corbett. Realistically i think ND6 or Johnson won on points in 6 a near certain result. If this happened, then technically that would mean hed have done better than Jeffries wouldnt it?

 

Interesting. If Corbett was serious at the time, I bet he changed his mind after watching the Jeffries fight. IMO, Corbett at his best would have had no chance against JJ who was a bigger and better boxer and fighter in every facet. Corbett deserves our respect as a pioneer, as does Johnson.

 

I don't rate Tommy Hearns as high at 147 pounds as many others do, Tommy could never last 15 rounds in a grueling fight.

 

he did against Benitez

 

But would he have to? I can't see anyone taking his best for 15, and surely if it was a grueling war, he'd be KOed himself?

He did go fifteen vs Benitez too, so he could out-box the elite.