For sure, we need to see Itauma against a puncher. Also, need to see someone that can actually move and box a bit like Parker or Hrgovic. Rather than someone that kind of just stands there and get overwhelmed like Whyte or Franklin. Also, I think Itauma could be more active. And obviously on top of the chin test, his stamina has major questions still. Re - Riddick Bowe, that was more intended for @Seamus !
There was a somewhat recent article where Tyson was asked about modern fighters compared to his era, and he basically said the modern guys don't fight aggressively enough Aggression is an intangible and Foreman is certainly one of the wrong trees to go barking up in that regard
May I ask how it was a good era? The top guys refused to face each other and have abysmal resumes by the standards of prior eras. There was talent but the big fights didn't happen.
At least there was some talent about. Usyk has fought Fury and Joshua 4 times. Fury put paid to Wilders gathering reputation before it got too out of control. There was ambiguity about who was best. It was certainly a lot more interesting than what proceeded it.
Impressive win for Itauma last night. However he hasn't faced any real punchers yet, so putting him up against one of the most well known punchers ever... I think I'll pick foreman here
Itauma hasn't even took a solid punch on the chin yet from a single top 10 rated Heavyweight. Offensively Itauma looks like a dream. But we need to see his stamina, chin, heart, tested in a real back and forth fight. Franklin wasn't a real test other than being a fighter who is somewhat durable and could take Itauma a few rounds. I want to see Itauma in there with someone who has a punch and who is genuine top 10 Heavyweight. Anyone like Hrgovic, Zhang, etc.
Fury and Wilder were both around during Wlads era and had the majority of their fights during that period. Fury was also clearly better during that period than he was for much of the last era. For example the 2014/15 Fury was pretty clearly better than the 2022-2024 version. It seems odd given they received so much attention but were just leftovers from the prior era
Guys guys please. Itauma is a very exciting contender, but can we please wait to see him in with a live body, before we start matching him against the legends of the past?
The only part of that fight that I have seen is the set up for the uppercut he landed that, I guess ended the fight. It wasn't all that. When you give a guy your shoulder to lean in on, and he does, all you need to do is turn your body. That takes away the shoulder and creates the punching room to land the uppercut. that works very well. I learned that 40 some years ago and I haven't been able to breathe cleanly through my nose ever since. In the case of Itauma, he kept stepping back to create room and the other guy kept following him, trying to lean in. It was like he wangted to get hit with an uppercut and Itauma did everything but send him a letter telling him that he was looking to land that punch.