Oh Blimey that's a question, mate. I'd normally say Witherspoon, he had some good names, won two versions of the title and gave Larry one his hardest fights.
I certainly wouldn't bet much money on Joshua beating the best version of Tubbs. Tony Tubbs was more talented than the blubbery version of Ruiz that stopped Joshua. Tubbs' boxing skills and hand speed would give the robotic Joshua fits.
I mean I think one reason ppl have warmed to them over time is they all did pretty much fight each other in short order when it made sense
I'm a real new fan to boxing, but the Alphabet champs, Weaver, Tubbs, Page, Witherspoon, did test their mettle in the ring against real and game opponents which is more than can be said for most of the fighters of the modern heavyweight division. I mean who the hell wanted to see Tyson Fury fight Dillian Whyte? Cause the answer in reality is not a damn soul, people just bought the pay-per-view because Fury's name was on it. As a new fan, I have a lot of respect for these guys. Mike Weaver v Holmes is still one of my favorite underdog fights even though it resulted in a loss.
Right. The belts changed hands a lot bc guys fought the toughest opposition available immediately. They were all pretty evenly matched (except Holmes of course) so who took home the belt tended to be who came in the best shape and most motivated
These overweight heavyweights of the 80’s were all in better shape and had better conditioning than Dillian Whyte
Wow..hmm No, all respect but Thomas was a far better heavyweight. I daresay Weaver even...Spinks couldn't have put up that kind of fight against prime Holmes. I also seriously question if Michael could have beaten prime Coetzee...somehow I don't see him lasting much longer than his brother. Just my opinion. I'd pick at least five heavies better at heavyweight than Spinks.
i might have been a bit hasty. since i´m no expert in 80s heavies, i was judging strictly by his career achievements: having lost only once and holding the ibf heavyweight title for almost 3 years.
He did well to get the lineal title from Holmes and keep it in the rematch. But then he batters Cooney and Tangstad.
