Best fighter you`ve ever seen in their prime ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Bill Butcher, May 24, 2009.


  1. Canibus81

    Canibus81 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tyson, B-Hop from the trinidad fight, Roy Jones Jr., Muhammad Ali.
     
  2. flamengo

    flamengo Coool as a Cucumber. Full Member

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    :rofl
     
  3. The Predator

    The Predator Active Member Full Member

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    Muhammad Ali 1964-1967
    Then
    Sugar Ray Leonard. Mike Tyson and Joe Frazier.
    In my opinion
    The Predator
     
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Sugar Ray Robinson is the best fighter i've ever seen on film. And they say his best isn't on film (John included!) which is a frightening thought...
     
  5. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Best I've ever seen in my lifetime: Ray Leonard
     
  6. kolcade4

    kolcade4 Keep Punchin' Full Member

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    tyson was unstopable in 88'. honestly could the 65 66 version of ali handle this version of tyson. i want to say of course he could but it is a question that can never be answered correctly until we are all done with this life and god provides us with all the unanswered questions by having these guys matchup in heaven.
     
  7. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Now that would be heaven.
     
  8. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    That's very hard to say. And it's no real reach to say that no one has ever looked better against such a good opponent as Spinks as Tyson did. His every movement was perfect for the short time the fight lasted.

    But there are two things that prime Tyson never proved: that he could adapt and that he had top-notch courage and will (I don't mean that he was weak, but he doesn't compare to the very elite in this department). Guys like Leonard, Robinson and Ali showed these things along with tremendous skill, and that's why they impressed me more.

    Another thing with these guys is that they could look really good while losing. I think Leonard proved a lot in Montreal, for example, even if Duran proved more.
     
  9. kolcade4

    kolcade4 Keep Punchin' Full Member

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    im not catching you at all. i stated a blunt statment. tyson was unstoppable in 88. it had nothing to do with top notch courage. he kicked the **** out of everybody. the first true problem i saw was certain styles caused problems aka james tillis , james "bonecrusher" smith, tony tucker. these guys all went the distance with tyson. when i say gave tyson problems i mean that he wasn't able to dissolve them within the first 5 rds.
     
  10. kolcade4

    kolcade4 Keep Punchin' Full Member

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    im still trying to figure out what you mean by courage, maybe you mean the holyfield fights. even after he lost the title to douglas he relled off 8 straight victories against quality competition before facing holyfield. i know with out a doubt holyfield or lewis does not stand a chance against the 87,88,or 89 versions of tyson.
     
  11. kolcade4

    kolcade4 Keep Punchin' Full Member

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    i liked holmes and ali in thier primes not to forget tommy hearns and ray leonard. im also a big fan of ken norton and james toney.
     
  12. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    Tyson's true prime was pretty short really...but he was absolutely amazing and dominant for it.
    That Tyson hardly needs courage..because he kicking the **** out of just about everyone.
     
  13. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tyson was a great fighter from '86 - '88. But he never fought anyone close to the skill level of a mid 60's Ali. That Ali would've danced circles around Tyson and exposed some of his flaws along the way to stopping him. Tyson was exposed as somewhat of a bully, frontrunner. Did he ever come back late in a fight he was trailing? No, he chose to bite someones ear off. Watch his fight against Tyrell Biggs. It's the dirtiest display of using elbows I've ever seen. Call it what you want, courage, character, if you watched his career it's not hard to figure he was lacking in those areas. He was a GREAT frontrunner. Mid 60's Ali would've stopped him though.
     
  14. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    What I mean is simply that I'm most impressed witth the guys who has shown several different kind of resources to get by their opposition. Leonard for example put on boxing masterclasses against guys like Benitez and Hagler, but also had to show true fighting spirit and predatory instinct against Hearns.

    Tyson was as good as anyone when he could fight the way he wanted to, but he never showed the ability to go to a plan B. I think that's less impressive than someone who's awesome fighting his plan A, but who also can win using a plan B or or even C.
     
  15. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    To believe that that would be the case against any ATG you have to make a LOT of allowances for his perfomances against Douglas.