Someone on another thread stated that Lewis would have destroyed Wlad and given AJ a boxing lesson, but I countered saying AJ and Wlad were/are better than all of Lewis`s opponents, how would either fighter have fared in Lewis`s era against his opposition?
Wlad would lose a few because its impossible for the younger Wlad not to lose to a big puncher at least 2 or 3 times. I think younger Wlad would potentially lose to Mercer, especially if Ray can break through his defense. Ruddock and McCall would have a real shot too. Wlad would be too good for an aging 37 year old Holyfield and too good for 36 year old shot overweight Tyson. Wlad loses to his brother. Overall, Wlad probably ends up with something like a 40-4 record. He would have a few losses early (maybe one to Ruddock, one to Mercer and perhaps one to McCall) Wlad retires after losing to Vitali. Wlad beats Bruno, Morrison, Tua, Grant, Golota, aging Holy, aging Tyson, Marovic, etc.
And conversely, i think Lewis would beat all of Wlad's opponents. However, Lewis will get ko'd at least once or twice (probably twice). I can see Sanders doing the same thing to a younger Lewis that he did to Wlad.
Young Wlad would probably be upset by some lesser guys like he was in his actual career, but once he reached his prime I think he would go undefeated until he meets Vitali, who stops the aging Wlad in about 5 rounds. I think AJ probably goes undefeated until Vitali, unless he gets Ruiz'd by someone like McCall, Mercer or Tua, though I would favour him over all three. He may also drop a decision to Holyfield in the rematch.
Thats very interesting to think about... Briggs never had good stamina, so i would say AJ would stop him in the later rounds...but has to be very carefull i the first rounds. Whyte rocked him heavy...Briggs in this situation would be difficult for AJ to survive. But i think AJ would survive the first rounds and stops Briggs later. Morrison from the Foreman fight would be not easy for AJ. Yes Tommy had a weak chin, but his punching power and overall skill wasnt that bad. If AJ connects with him he KOs him for sure...when it goes to the judges Morrison could win on points, he was also not slow. Botha had a very good eye and defense, but not so much punching power. So yes, i think AJ would stop him very certain. And Grant...well...what s about Wilder vs Grant? Is Grant really so much worser as Deontay? Wilder has the killer punch that Grant didnt have, but Grant is technically imo a little better then him, he did very good against Golota and showed heart too. I dont know if AJ would just beat Grant...imo Grant is clearly better as Breazeale, and Golota was no bum.
Funny thing, but I think McCall would be the one who could upset both Wlad and AJ early in their careers like he did with Lewis. Everybody here is talking about Ruddock, but Ruddock was far less durable comparing to McCall. Plus McCall was much smarter boxer comparing to Ruddock IMO. Remember that Wlad was stopoped by two granite-chinned guys (Puritty and Brewster) who could take his power and AJ was stopped by granite-chinned Ruiz. I think granite-chinned McCall could replicate what these guys did against less experienced versions of Wlad and AJ. Vitali would likely beat 37 y.o. versions of Wlad and AJ Old Holyfield from Lewis' rematch might have presented them a tough challenge. The same goes to Ray Mercer Tua? Nah. Not in that awful shape he was in the Lewis' fight
