Could Max Schmeling Defeat ANY Of The Modern Heavyweight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Mar 24, 2026.

  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Modern, I'm talking 1990 onwards?
    So this is Max but with all the Bell's and whistles of modern day training so he's not totally out classed straight away.
    And when I say any heavyweight, I' mean those that were at least top 20 of the day.?
     
  2. The Long Count

    The Long Count Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yes
     
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  3. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Definitely. Schmeling at his best was a great fighter. He’s the only guy to stop Joe Louis in his prime and the only guy to stop Stribling.
     
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  4. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Any names in particular?
     
  5. themaster458

    themaster458 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Nah his defense isn't the best nor is his chin. Feel like most good hard hitting HW would give him problems.
     
  6. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Schmeling beats a lot of top 20 guys over the last 35 years.

    Both Michael Hunters (father and son), Alex Garcia, Phil Jackson, Carl "the Truth" Williams, Alexander Zolkin, Alexander Dimitrenko, Tomasz Adamek, Tony Yoka, Dillian Whyte, Manuel Charr, Trevor Bryan, Tony Thompson, Denis Boytsov, Eric Molina, Oscar Rivas, Bryant Jennings ... to name a few.

    And probably could've won a heavyweight title against the likes of Sultan Ibragimov, Charles Martin, Ruslan Chagaev, and Oleg Maskaev (who were slow and suckers for lead right hands) ... or maybe even against a Bruce Seldon or a Chris Byrd (since their speed wouldn't have bothered him), as both could be broken down.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2026
  7. Rollin

    Rollin Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He beat damn Louis.
     
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  8. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Exactly. For more than half an hour. A sustained beating.

    Max wasn't superman or anything. But, c'mon. Of course he could. :rolleyes:
     
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  9. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

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    Absolutely.
     
  10. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    He's not beating any of these. Best chance would be Charles Martin but I wouldn't even favor him there.
     
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  11. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Nonsense.
     
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  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Of course he would.

    Top 20? Some of the guys that get into the top twenty wouldn't be any use to Schmeling for sparring, and I mean that literally.
     
  13. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Yes,,some of the names that creep in to the modern days top 20 really makes for a bit of head scratching.
     
  14. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Charles Martin is ten times the boxer that Max Baer ever was, probably hits harder too. Yet, Baer destroyed Schmeling.
     
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  15. Yorbals

    Yorbals Boxing Addict Full Member

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    A difficult one
    I don’t rate him as high as I rate a lot of the older era fighters, and somewhat agree with the recent was Schmeling overrated thread.
    He was good enough to win a title post 1990 though
     
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