Would Michael Doles have become a heavy weight great if he had not fallen for drugs

No.

His problem was with his weight & that came years before his drug issues. Early and light versions of Dokes used to fly around the ring. Very similar to Holmes. But his hands were much faster and he had a good left hook. but that guy was so fast with balance circling the ring. 10 pounds later, he was a flat footed guy that tried power punching. That great set of wheels was gone. And a much different style fighter.

 

Dokes? No he was fast handed guy and he was big, but his power was mediocre compared to many heavyweights of the time and he would have been edged my 50 percent of the typical heavyweights, as he was.

 

No !

 

I agree with both of you but that hand speed! Faster combos than either Ali or Tyson even, I think.

 

Possibly, but people overrated his skill set. He was not a Page or Tubbs in that regard, but he handled his business when he had too.

 

Dokes was lacking two things: punching power and self discipline. With self discipline, he'd have been very good, but not an all time elite.

 

And think of the time frame he came along in, along side Larry Holmes! Even at his best, I don't see Dokes beating Larry.