Who is the greatest Heavyweight you believe Alexander Povetkin could have beaten?

My first thought was Ken Norton.

 

James J Jeffries.

 

He got picked in a thread at one point as somebody with a style that would trouble Ali. For whatever it's worth.

 

I think he "could" beat any heavyweight I've ever seen fight. There would be some he wouldn't be favored to beat, but I can't think of anybody who would beat him easily. Povetkin was 6-2, around 225-30, at his best, an Olympic gold medalist, well conditioned, anybody would need to be at their best to beat him. Povetkin kept pressure on his opponents and he had a nice left hook and left uppercut.

After watching Ali - Norton 2 yesterday, Povetkin might do much more than "trouble" Ali. Ali couldn't keep Norton off of him and Norton was getting to him with a wide left hook that started from his waist, Povetkin's hook would get there much quicker and with more behind it. There are some fighters who might beat Povetkin, but IMO Povetkin would also have a good chance of beating them.

 

Dillian Whyte for sure!

 

I think he’d beat Ibeabuchi.

 

From the 70s era I'd say Norton, Shavers, Quarry, Bonavena, Chuvalo, Young, Ellis, Lyle... basically anyone not named Ali, Holmes, Foreman or Frazier I'd give him a good chance to beat, and I don't think he does too shabbily against the top guys either.

From the 90s I can see him beating Foreman, Morrison, Bruno, Ruddock, Briggs, Maskaev, Witherspoon, Golota, Moorer... again most of the fighters barring the top guys Lennox, Evander, maybe Tyson. Bowe depends on which version shows up, and I also have a sneaking suspicion Tua knocks him out after trailing badly on the cards.

If you want to go back before the 70s then the list of top names widens considerably.

 

Patterson. I also think he would have a decent chance against Lennox of the early 90s

 

I think he would give good fights to anyone from the 1970s-1990s. I think he could have conceivably beaten any non-Liston from prior to the 1970s. Even Liston, who knows. Povetkin is a big guy for historical standards, tough guy, good fighter. The problem is deciding who I would favor him against without much doubt.

 

Probably one of the pre Patterson era?

 

I'd give him a very good chance against my number 3/4 so I'd say that's pretty damn good.

 

Says something about your list.