H) Muhammad Ali/ Lennox lewis C) Evander Holyfield/ Marciano/ LH) Ezzard Charles/ Micheal Spinks/ Gene Tunney SM) Roy Jones M) Marvin Hagler/ Carlos Monzon LM) Thomas Hearns W) Ray Robinson SL) Arron Pryor L) Roberto Duran SF) Manny Pacquiao F) Salvador Sanchez SB) Erik Morales/Jeff Fenech B) Eder Jofre SF) Khaosai Galaxy F) Jimmy Wilde LS) Ricardo Lopez
HW: Muhammad Ali CW: Evander Holyfield LHW: Ezzard Charles SMW: Roy Jones MW: Marvin Hagler LMW: Tommy Hearns WW: Ray Robinson SLW: Jose Napoles LW: Roberto Duran SFW: Floyd Mayweather FW: Henry Armstrong SBW: Wilfredo Gomez BW: Ruben Olivares SFly: Sung-Kil Moon Fly: Fighting Harada LFly: Jung Koo Chang Min: Ricardo Lopez
I see you put Holyfield as your cruiserweight pick, George. Out of interest, how do you think Usyk would fare against Holyfield? Would it be too easy for Evander and end up very messy for Usyk's face? A good, 50/50, even fight? A massacre as the Ukrainian destroys the American?
Now this is a damn fine list! Though I'd have a big asterix with Sam Langfords name next to it at the bottom, as picking a definitive weight class for that guy is difficult and it feels wrong not mentioning his name lol
I haven't seen too much of Wilde, so I didn't want to include him. Although from what it sounds like, he does seem nigh on unbeatable. I think Olivares stops both Jofre and Zarate.
Both represent tough styles for one another. Holyfield's stylistic issues came from fighters whom he couldn't 'out-brawl', or the ones who denied him one. Usyk's style seems susceptible to shorter, aggressive guys, but has also shown to not like fighters with elite fundamentals. The ones who go by the book seem to get a lot further than off-beat sluggers and punchers. Briedis, Hunter and Bellew did better than Głowacki, Gassiev and Huck. For me, I think '88 Holyfield (keep in mind, he had Duva and Benton in his corner, two extremely knowledgeable men) would change things up, and go out after Usyk in a similar manner to how Briedis did. Usyk's obviously gonna bring it and make it real close, but Holyfield's extra class is what tips it for him, IMO. Holyfield is a very underrated technician IMO. Crazy combinations, an excellent counter-puncher, very good at leading with various punches outside of the jab, and was very rhythmic in his style. Just watch him shift back and forth in a constant 'tick, tick'. When he listened to Benton, he was a very savvy infighter who had all the speed and know-how to be very elusive. He was an absolute destroyer at CW, too. People forget nowadays. Decimated an era, flat out 'out-monstered' Qawi, put savage beatings on elites like Ossie and DeLeon. He was a good puncher, very fast, tall, incredibly strong and very light on his feet, and obviously showed he had all the toughness and intangibles to rival any great. He gets undermentioned when people talk about the most well-rounded fighters ever, IMO. Hagler-esque in his completeness.
Stopping Jofre. I dont think thats possible. By your logic Herrera is better than Olivares because he stopped him.
Great reply, cheers, mate. That's exactly the kind of insight I come to the forum for. As much as I like Usyk, my gut is telling me Holyfield would just be too much for him in the end.
That's not what my logic is lol It's definitely possible, Medel had him hurt, Harada did too and so did Legra. Olivares can stop him. And my logic is that Olivares is better head-to-head because I think he'd beat Jofre and prime for prime, he'd beat Herrera too. I don't think Harada beats any Jofre.
Well, it depends from weight. Earlier CW limit was 190 lbs and Holy had been for example 208 lbs vs Douglas at HW, looked like bodybuilder while he looked far less muscular and athletic when he was at CW division. I think 190 lbs weight ins Holyfield had lost vs 200 lbs weight in Usyk with a glance, via stoppage, no cards. vs prime Usyk. If they both had been for example 208 lbs at weight ins, then Holyfield most likely had won, btw also relatively high chances that on cards ( vs prime Usyk from WBSS 1 era. ) Holyfield turned very muscular and athletic when he turned in HW division boxer. Holyfield was highly skilled boxer and his these HW versions when he was not too old were very effective. Holyflied might be very good for this modern bridgerweight division btw.