I’ve always felt Winky Wright fit the mold. Got Mosley, who really wasn’t good at 154 for the belts. Mosley looked poor for a few years and was fortunate to beat a fading Oscar. Mosley too small for him. Then Winky got a faded Tito, off of a few years retirement, wear and tear from a hard career and a very different one from the Tito of his prime. Then he got Quartey, again, not accustomed to that weight and after years out. Two HOF’ers and a very respected champ right there but none close to prime. Winky got his signature wins and got rich and became HOF which he most certainly wouldn’t have, if he’d have had to go directly through Hopkins for example.
Agree overall, but I think Shane was near prime, just in the wrong weight class. I also think Oscar was bsically prime fro the rematch w Shane, but deserved to win. Winky did manage a draw against Taylor, whcih was pretty difficult at the time and almost got him lineal 160. Had he been given the decision against Vargas, there's a chance that he would've fought Ike and Tito next and next and still come out on top.
Has to be hasim Rahman in Africa. Lennox Lewis took him lightly, making a movie, not getting acclimated to the height of the air, sidetracked during training. He always had a suspect chin but his cardio was doing terrible. As he backed up to the ropes with his hand down, the rock threw his hardest right hand and it got through! After the fight max Kellerman said there was no such thing as luck just "being prepared to make the most out of the moment." Which Rahman did by throwing that punch.
It's amazing how committed you are to something you blatantly don't believe. If not, then please list some of the non-champions (at heavyweight) you rate as bettet heavyweights than Marciano, whose main achievements were inbetween the retirements of Tunney and Marciano
Charles Martin did virtually nothing to be rated, then Glazkov blew his knee out early when they fought for a vacant belt. That belt gave him a bargaining chip worth millions of dollars and a fight with Joshua.
WTF are you talking about? Charles Martin walked this earth like a God during his short yet glorious reign. He was the Aurelian of Heavyweight Champions.
Trevor Berbick against Pinklon Thomas - Pink decided he wanted to be a singer leading up to his fight with Berbick and his training took the backseat leading up to the bout. Something Bebick took full advantage of. Tom Bethea against Nino Benvenuti - Nino came into the bout with damaged ribs (it was rumored they were injured sparring with Bennie Briscoe) and Bethea, with a record of 9-5-1 gave it everything he had.
wow! can not believe that not a single mention yet for probably the most famous right time/right place, buster douglas vs mike tyson!
first off, I love highlander, one of my guilty pleasures is the first movie. Also, Douglas was seriously in my opinion an ATG for a single night. The psychological preparation for defeating Mike Tyson... unimaginable. Buster must have felt like Atlas, dealing with the death of his mother, what the press was saying about his career and skill, and having to face the most ferocious fighter in Heavyweight history. Buster Douglas had every reason to lose and the odds were certainly not in his favor, but that is why this remains my favorite upset because it shows the real power of a determined fighter.
When you are 23, undefeated and the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and have never been knocked down or in a close fight you are in your prime.