3rd best Heavyweight of the 80s

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by William Walker, May 9, 2020.


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  1. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    It's a very difficult question.

    When Holmes was the champion in the 1980s, he was considered the best heavyweight. As soon as Tyson won a title in the 80s, he was considered the best heavyweight.

    Tim Witherspoon was a nobody when he fought Holmes. Even after that fight, which was close, people back then didn't think Witherspoon was the best heavyweight in the world. When Tim fought Page for the vacant WBC belt, I think Page was favored. Then Tim lost in his first defense. When he won a WBA belt against Tubbs, the fight was universally panned as two fat guys boring everyone to death.

    Looking back, he might have the wins, but I don't recall a time, and I was a fan back then, when anyone considered Tim Witherspoon the best heavyweight ... at any point.

    It's just personal opinion, but I really can't picture any of the 80s heavyweights below Tyson and Holmes beating the heavyweight version of Holyfield in the 1980s. Certainly not Spoon, Weaver, Page, Tubbs, Coetzee ... any of them. They all had major flaws.

    But Evander showed up right at the end, like the last year and a half, so it's hard to rate him #3. And, like Witherspoon earlier, Holyfield wasn't considered the best heavyweight when Tyson was champ, either.

    Michael Spinks was considered the best heavyweight in 1985 when he beat Holmes, but not for long. And it's difficult seeing Spinks win over a lot of those 80s heavyweights. Although, I'm sure he'd have done fine. He spanked Cooney.

    Tough question. Just shows what a huge gap there was from the level where Holmes and Tyson sat ... and the rest of the pack.
     
    Dubblechin, May 11, 2020
    Dubblechin, May 11, 2020
    #91
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  2. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    I could see Spinks beating 80s Holyfield. Holyfield’s defense was terrible.
     
    NoNeck, May 11, 2020
    NoNeck, May 11, 2020
    #92
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  3. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I don't know.
     
    Dubblechin, May 11, 2020
    Dubblechin, May 11, 2020
    #93
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  4. lloydturnip

    lloydturnip Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Spoon all the way
     
    lloydturnip, May 11, 2020
    lloydturnip, May 11, 2020
    #94
  5. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Aren't they just?
     
    Eddie Ezzard, May 11, 2020
    Eddie Ezzard, May 11, 2020
    #95
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  6. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ur right, Spoon never was the BEST heavyweight at any time. Larry was the best from 80-82/ 83, and Tyson was best from 86-89.
     
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    #96
  7. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    So that begs the question, WHO was the best heavyweight from 1983-1985? Pinklon Thomas beat Witherspoon and Weaver, both legit wins. Michael Dokes couldn't be picked, he barely drew with Weaver in '83, and lost to Coetzee that same year. Page beat Snipes and Coetzee but lost to Spoon. Bonecrusher Smith beat Frank Bruno, but lost to Holmes and Spoon. James Tillis lost to Witherspoon, Carl Williams, and Marvis Frazier. Tony Tubbs did beat Smith and Spoon, but.... Weaver drew with Dokes and was knocked out by Thomas. Bruno wasn't a big force yet. That leaves Carl Williams. Williams defeated Tillis, arguably beat Holmes, beat Jesse Ferguson. Then there's Berbick. David Bey was the only one of note to lose to Berbick in this time frame. Renaldo Snipes had no great wins from 83-85, either. I think Carl Williams is probably the most qualified for #3 if you throw Spoon out.
     
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    #97
  8. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    After I explained all that, I realized just how dominant Spoon really was, I mean he did beat most of the guys I covered.
     
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    #98
  9. VVMM

    VVMM Well-Known Member Full Member

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    You're an idiota. Tillis didn't beat Tyson at all.
     
    VVMM, May 11, 2020
    VVMM, May 11, 2020
    #99
  10. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I've seen it. Thnx for the compliment btw. Tyson dominated Tillis for 3 rounds and knocked him down. Tillis outboxed him from rounds 4-9, and round 10 was a toss-up. Sorry, Tillis beat him. But since it's been a while, I'll go back and watch again.
     
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    #100
  11. VVMM

    VVMM Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Tillis didn't beat Tyson.I know this fight.
    Plus the Tyson version Tillis wasn't old at all he was only 28 years old.
    You're an idiota.That's all.
     
    VVMM, May 11, 2020
    VVMM, May 11, 2020
    #101
  12. VVMM

    VVMM Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Otherwise Tyson knocked down Tillis in the 4th round. I think you didn't know this fight at all.
     
    VVMM, May 11, 2020
    VVMM, May 11, 2020
    #102
  13. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You're so nice and tactful.
     
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    #103
  14. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    #104
  15. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ok VMM, I relent on this aspect of Tyson. I just watched, and it was much closer than I thought. You win THIS TIME.
     
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    William Walker, May 11, 2020
    #105
    RulesMakeItInteresting likes this.
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