Just as there are people in the NBA who never earned a championship ring due to Michael Jordan, there are boxers who had the unfortunate timing to be competing against dominate champions like Ali, Tyson, Holyfield etc etc. Take away the champions who dominated there era and list those you believe would have dominated in their place. How far would Liston have gone or lasted if Cassius Clay/Ali didn’t exist? Foreman? Who would have dominated the early 80’s without Holmes? The late 80’s without Tyson? In other words give me the guys you think could have dominated if the boxers that did dominate weren’t there? Why do you think they’d be dominate as opposed to just a champion for a time. I’ll start with my personal belief: Pinklon Thomas. The 80’s He lost his belt to Berbick on an off night. Got his head on straight and rededicated himself to the sport with Angelo Dundee in his corner. A masterful jab, a granite chin. He just ran into a prime Mike Tyson and took a hellacious beating. P.S. Please leave others choices alone. People get to believe what they believe so unless someone comes along and says Peter McNeeley could have dominated the 90’s let it go.
Moore in the 50”s Terrell in the 60s 70s and 90s were real competitive and I don’t see anyone as being a clear favorite for the 80s. Maybe Witherspoon? Edit I’d also add Jimmy Bivins in the 40s
60s - Terrell or Mathis could be reigning champs of that decade 70s - Jimmy Young could outbox just about anyone 80s - Tim Witherspoon 90s - Golota (with his head straight)
Take out any of the dominant champions, and you get some more short tenure champions. Take out all of them, and a lot more heavyweights hold the lineal tile. I doubt that you would get many more dominant champions however! The reality is that only great fighters dominate!
- At a rough estimate, between 1905 (or a bit later) till 1915 or 1920 especially Sam Langford (others: Joe Jeanette, Sam McVey) - Afterwards Harry Wills - Okay they were restricted through colorline, but then maybe Harry Greb, Fred Fulton or Tommy Gibbons.... - Early 40s maybe Jimmy Bivins or Billy Conn, late 40s could be a toss-up between Elmer Ray, Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott - 1978 was the fight between Ken Norton and Larry Holmes, I have listened to a podcast with Teddy Atlas. He said the 15th round was decisive for both careers. Larry Holmes won by SD and now people are talking about ATG Larry Holmes and Ken Norton, the guy who gave Ali some good fights. Okay, Norton didn`t had the best chin, but I think he would be able to defend the title against a couple of boxers. - An interesting prospect late 90s was also Ike Ibeabuchi - All in all I think there wouldn´t be really longtime dominant champions, just to many similarly good boxers: Folley, Machen, Williams, Cooper, Mildenberger, Terell, Chuvalo, Ellis, Matthis, Martin, Spencer, Bonavena, Peralta, Quarry and so on and so forth The most outstanding boxer would be probably Sam Langford, maybe followed by Harry Wills.
Great thread idea! Liston would've lasted a couple more years, but I think by 1968, Joe Frazier would outslug him in a war, but Liston could retire w/ dignity and health in tact if he retired immediately; he wouldn't last til Foreman. The early 80s is much tougher 2 decide since really no 70s heavyweight was a significant force in the heavyweight division, and nearly all of the 80s heavyweights were so inconsistent. Without Holmes tho, Spinks, Weaver, and Dokes would have been far more dominant than they were, and are my three picks 4 the early 80s. As 4 other notable heavyweight reins: Louis-I honestly don't know. Louis really dominated in the 40s and imo really didn't fight anyone w/ a chance of taking the crown, save 4 Walcott near the end. Charles-Walcott Walcott-Marciano Marciano-Moore Patterson-Liston Frazier-Ellis Foreman-Norton 70s Ali-Foreman Tyson-Holyfield Holyfield: 1) Tyson 2) Moorer 3) Lewis
Okay, I first excluded more or less all worldchampions. Though Liston could be champion for a very long time, maybe allmost till 1970 without Ali. Questionable is just his age and his motivation. A special fighter was also Jimmy Young. For a short period, he could beat everyone.
This is interesting. I take it you mean the Bowe-Golota. I can see him taking out Patterson, Ellis, quite possibly Norton. Liston would have murdered him, Ali played him for a chump (even early 70s Ali), Holmes the same. Golota against the Holyfield who lost to Bowe that first time would have been very interesting imo.
Tim Witherspoon seemed a cut above most of the parade of heavyweights who held titles in the early/mid 80's. David Tua might have been able to do something against anyone other than Lennox Lewis, who was all wrong for him.
I think if Mitch's managers had done a couple of things early on, He could have had a championship by 85, 86.
You didn't mention the 00's but a guy like Povetkin I think is a cut above all the other contenders and probably what you're looking for.
