Who is the best 'inconsistent' heavyweight boxer of all time?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by themostoverrated, Jan 30, 2024.

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  1. themostoverrated

    themostoverrated Active Member Full Member

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    Ray Mercer beat Tommy Morrison, gave a hell of a time to both Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield. And yet, he was humiliated by Jesse Ferguson (did he attempt to bribe his opponent as well?), lost to geriatric Holmes and failed to beat Marion Wilson of all opponents. Max Baer famously beat Max Schmeling but suffered a massive upset at the hands of James J. Braddock. Hasim Rahman knocked Lennox Lewis out cold but succumbed twice to Oleg Maskaev. Oliver McCall had already set the precedent by losing to Frank Bruno.

    So, who is the best 'inconsistent' heavyweight boxer of all time?
     
    themostoverrated, Jan 30, 2024
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  2. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member

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    Maybe Jersey Joe is a candidate?
     
    mcvey, Jan 30, 2024
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  3. Sailor Joe

    Sailor Joe Member Full Member

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    Jack Sharkey perhaps.
     
    Sailor Joe, Jan 30, 2024
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  4. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Riddick Bowe was an all time heavyweight great for one night only when he beat Evander Holyfield in their first fight. After that he became imprisoned by his fridge and produced sporadic displays of what might have been.
     
    Stevie G, Jan 30, 2024
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  5. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Buster Douglas fits this description as well.
     
    scartissue, Jan 30, 2024
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  6. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Well Duran could be up and down in his career.
     
    Fergy, Jan 30, 2024
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  7. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Probably Jersey Joe Walcott.
     
    Titan1, Jan 30, 2024
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  8. HomicideHank

    HomicideHank I believe in the transmigration of souls Full Member

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    Jack Sharkey
     
    HomicideHank, Jan 30, 2024
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  9. Phil_Ivey_76

    Phil_Ivey_76 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Pinklon Thomas or Tim Witherspoon

    I'd go for PT
     
    Phil_Ivey_76, Jan 30, 2024
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  10. clinikill

    clinikill Active Member Full Member

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    In terms of sheer ability, I'd say Greg Page. Watch his fights against the likes of Stan Ward, Marty Monroe and Alfredo Evangelista. Guy looked like he could be a world beater in any era.
     
    clinikill, Jan 30, 2024
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  11. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    The most consistent one?
     
    janitor, Jan 30, 2024
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  12. Paul McB

    Paul McB Member Full Member

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    Sharkey, Douglas and also Bugner for me.
     
    Paul McB, Jan 30, 2024
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  13. Kid Bacon

    Kid Bacon All-Time-Fat Full Member

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    I would make a minor inconsistency case for Kenny Norton.

    A guy who went punch to punch versus Ali and Holmes and gave a very good acount of himself (and you can even make a case he deserved more than one win vs Ali, and deserved the nod vs Holmes).

    However the same Norton was blown out in spectacular fashion by Foreman and Shavers in no time... and I am not even counting his final defeat vs Conney, because by then Norton was already on his way out.

    In any case, Kenny consistently sucked versus big sluggers...
     
    Kid Bacon, Jan 30, 2024
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  14. 20thCenturyBox

    20thCenturyBox Member Full Member

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    The best heavyweight who was inconsistent might be Tim Witherspoon. The heavyweight who was best at being inconsistent has to be Joe Bugner.
     
    20thCenturyBox, Jan 30, 2024
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  15. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Mike Weaver is up there too.
     
    AntonioMartin1, Jan 30, 2024
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