37 year old L.Lewis v prime versions of Ruddock, Bruno, Ribalta and Tubbs who would win?

37 year old Lennox was slow on his feet and predictable. Tubbs would glide around him popping the jab and changing directions Lennox only wins if he catches Tubbs and gets him out. It could happen but more likley Tubbs wins a decision.

In 85 Tubbs was very solid shutting out Bonecrusher and easily decision ing Page. Even at a disgusting 244 lbs he lost a close decision to a very good near prime Witherspoon

 

Have you watched that fight? It is not an endorsement. Frazier shut out Bonecrusher too. What did Tubbs ever do?

He did have quick hands and a lot of talent. But Tony only ever did enough to prevent himself from getting beat up. At top level He could not dominate anyone. He never tried to dominate anyone.

The fight with Witherspoon was close not because Tubbs was trying to win it but because Tubbs fought like he always did. Doing just enough to prevent himself from being overwhelmed. You can’t win fights like that. And that’s why Tubbs never did.

His highlight was winning that crazy tournament against journeymen. The one time he beat guys.

Lewis would have flattened him. Any version of Lewis. Lennox was a real champion. A serious hombre.

 

Maybe. We will never know. Vitali did not beat enough live guys who wanted to win. He always had the advantage.

 

Tubbs was solid. I don't understand the hate. Tremendous amateur career and turned it into a pro career by winning a belt against a guy who beat him what, 4 times in the ams? Put Tubbs in Buster's place in Tokyo and, well, you know the story!

The 80's guys get a bad wrap. It's understandable why but come on. Tubbs was talented. Holyfield wanted none of Tubbs ...right Mark?

Ask Bowe if Tubbs was any good. Ok I'm done.

 

I’m not saying I hate Tubbs or that he was no good. I said he had a lot of talent.

I just don’t think he has a good resume or ever used that talent to dominate a good fighter. Not one. He edged a couple of capable fighters. But that’s it.

He got a belt. And he was a great amateur. Point taken.

But so far as legacy and chances against a real champion like Lennox Lewis go, Tubbs falls far too short on qualifying. And so would a lot of very good fighters as well.

 

Many thought Tubbs beat a young undefeated Bowe who was 1 year away from taming Holyfield.

 

That has nothing to do with why Evander Holyfield ducked Tony Tubbs.

 

Again, that’s not really an endorsement for Tubbs. He managed to lull a lazy younger fighter into a tame kind of sparring session mode (fought at a walk) using all his usual stalling tactics. Nicked enough rounds to make it close. That’s all it was. More a mistake on Bowes part. Nobody was under the illusion that Bowe was fighting like he was against Evander. The youngster was of the impression all he had to do was to turn up to win. He should and could have done a lot more with the performance.

 

Nobody ducked Tubbs.

 

They did. I remember that fight. Suddenly Bowe didn't look the second coming of Joe Louis /Ali.
Tubbs almost threw a massive spanner in the works.

 

Futch was unperturbed and considered it a great learning experience against the craftiest guy he had faced.

 

That's a great way of looking at it. He took a criticism and turn it around.
Tyson was still fresh in the memory then and Tubbs getting blasted in two, then going the distance with Bowe, well I think people just wanted another blaster on the scene John.

 

For sure. One can look at it like Tyson - Tillis imo. Bowe had another 8 fights after Tubbs prior to his title shot and from Tubbs to that point he really rounded out his game.