Once two greats have faced each other, regardless of the point they met in their respective careers, it’s really hard for people to divorce the actual outcome when you put them in a potentially more competitive mythical scenario. Which of the following fights would you expect to have a different outcome if they had happened at a different point in history? That can mean that even if the winner stays the same in your mind, the fight unfolds quite differently. -Ali v Frazier, 1968 instead of 1971 -Holyfield v Tyson, ‘91 instead of ‘96 -Lewis v Holyfield, ‘92 instead of ‘99 -Chavez v Whitaker @ 135 in 1988 instead of @147 in 1993 -Mayweather v Pacquiao in 2010 instead of 2015
Remains the same Holyfield v Tyson Mayweather v Pacquaio Different result Ali V Frazier Holyfield v Lewis Chavez v Whittaker
Great question. There's definitely a lot of What If scenarios and it makes me wish those fights happened at a time when both greats were at their absolute peaks. Ali vs Frazier in 1968 would most likely be be the same outcome with Frazier winning this on points. Frazier's style would always be hell for Ali. Holyfield vs Tyson in 1991 would have been very interesting. A motivated and dangerous Tyson could have his shot against the Holyfield that always got himself drawn in to wars. It's 50/50 in my view. Lewis vs Holyfield in 1992 I see this as more or less the same results as their second fight. Chavez vs Whitaker in 1988 I honestly think Whitaker's style would always be problematic for Chavez. Whitaker would have definitely taken this by points. Mayweather vs Pacquiao in 2010 is the one that really frustrates me knowing how everything panned out leading up 2015, with Pac having a brief setback in 2012. Pacquiao was a dangerous force of nature who was at his peak in 2009. Personally I think Pac at that time might have really given Mayweather a tough outing. 50/50 kind of fight, but I know most people would disagree.
Muhammad Ali of 1968 vs Joe Frazier would have been good as Ali was still champion, according to most people and Ring magazine, last fight March 22 1967, KO 7 of challenger Zora Folley, Ali was 26 years old in 1968. Unanimous decision for Ali, he had his stamina, footwork, timing reflexes and speed. It would be a good lesson for challenger Joe Frazier, provided that Ali was not stripped of his license and title in April 1967. Evander Holyfield vs Mike Tyson of 1991: Mike takes this one in a rough and tough battle, Tyson is a man with a mission to reclaim his title that he lost to Buster Douglas in Feb 1990, provided there was no Desiree Washington to land him in the slammer. Tyson by TKO 10. Lennox Lewis vs Evander Holyfield 1992, I see Lennox Lewis as the winner on points, provided that Lewis jaw does not fail him in a close bout. Julio Caesar Chavez vs Pernell Sweet Pea Whittaker at 135 1988, Remember Sweat Pea did not show enough aggressiveness in his losing effort against Jose Luis Ramirez, I think that Whittaker this time leaves not doubt for a points victory. Floyd The Money Mayweather vs Manny Paquaio, I think that this fight ends up in a 12 round draw, both fighters suffer injuries from each other.
Mohammad Ali would progress further into 1968, defeating Frazier in 1968. We haven't seen Peak Ali. IMHO this is the fight closest to a different result. Mohammad Ali would primarily gain weight and strength, without losing technique and speed.
The winners IMO - Frazier Holyfield (but it’s a great fight) Holyfield Chavez Mayweather The one I’d most enjoy would be Holyfield vs Lewis. That’d be a really good HW fight.
The one that absolutely isn’t changing IMO is the Lightweight bout between Whitaker & Chávez. The one most likely to change would be Tyson-Holyfield. I’m not necessarily picking Tyson, but that Cooper fight in ’91 gives me serious pause. 50-50 in ’91.
1)Ali because Frazier was younger and their trilogy was a virtual draw with the rubber match being decided by the corner. I think Frazier is better P4P. 2)I think this is a tossup. 3)Outcome is similar. 4)JCC 5)Mayweather. Similar score but the fight would go the opposite way with Manny doing well early and tiring. The fight would have been more entertaining. Manny was too small to KO Floyd and was unlikely to beat him on the cards.
-Ali v Frazier, 1968 instead of 1971: Ali wins by a close margin, possibly a majority decision. Both men are hurting bad at the end. -Holyfield v Tyson, ‘91 instead of ‘96: Holyfield wins a UD, but gets dropped along the way. -Lewis v Holyfield, ‘92 instead of ‘99: Holyfield UD, Lewis was just not mature enough at this point.
I think only two could've been different and that's Holyfield/Tyson and possibly Frazier/Ali. I think Holyfield in 1991 wasn't as smart as he was in 1996 nor as physically strong, Holyfield also got lured into brawls easy and was having wars with the likes of Stewart, Dokes, Cooper. I think Tyson of Ruddock fights was still a good 12 round fighter and could stop Holyfield around this time. A peak Frazier would always be a very tough match up for Ali and even though Ali was a bit faster and fresher in the 60s. You could also say Ali wasn't as physically strong as he was in the 70s. So I think Ali's movement and speed would be enough in the 60s but still a very hard nights work.
Ali v Frazier ‘68: Ali wins a decision in a tough fight Holyfield v Tyson ’91: I discussed this more in detail on the other thread. I have Holyfield as a slight favorite but I’m not too confident on the pick Lewis v Holyfield ‘92: I lean towards Holyfield, as Lewis had more flaws with his balance and defense back then. I favor late 90s Lewis over early 90s Holyfield, but not 92’ Lewis. -Chavez v Whitaker @ 135 in 1988: Similar type of 8-4 fight for Pernell. Maybe a little closer. I thought Whitaker won his rounds by wider margins than Chavez did. -Mayweather v Pacquiao 10’: Same type of fight, but at a faster pace and less dull.
I'm surprised so many people are picking Holyfield against Lewis, I think people forget around this time Holyfield was only 205 pounds, and he wasn't as built as he was when he fought Lewis in 1999. Holyfield around this time was also struggling against an old Holmes, Foreman, was almost knocked out by Cooper, and lost a pretty wide decision to Bowe. Whilst Lewis hadn't reached his peak yet Holyfield was still very beatable, you can't honestly tell me Holyfield against Cooper or Holmes looks like a favourite against even 1992 version of Lewis.
