Who else could James Buster Douglas beat?

On the form he showed that night in Tokyo? Just about anyone. Honestly, imo he was nearly flawless that night. The only mistake he made - when he got floored - gave him the opportunity to prove doubters wrong and to show he could actually gut it out through a crisis, if only once in his career.

Of the three you name, Frazier would give him most problems. The movement wouldn't bother Joe as much. And Buster would have to withstand a lot of punishment. We don't know if even the Tokyo version would have withstood round after round of pressure.

He'd make Lennox look bad. If Ray Mercer could outjab him when he was 35 and a bit out of shape, prime Buster would. If 37 year old Evander's movement could trouble Lewis, Buster would totally befuddle him.

As long as he holds his nerve, he could outbox and bust up young (or old) Foreman with the jab, limiting George's effectiveness by movement and not being there for the uppercut. George won't get past the jab to push and grapple.

Most other heavies would struggle with Tokyo Buster. But he is still well below them in the H2H rankings because in all likelihood, that version doesn't show up. But if he does, nobody has an easy night and that includes Dempsey, Louis, Mariano, Liston, Holmes, Ali, Klitschkos. He was that good.

 

Buster is a tough matchup for most champions.

He beats Usyk 9-3.

 

Frazier, I think Tyson being a midget greatly helped Douglas and his excellent but defensively irresponsible uppercuts. Foreman, Lewis, Klitschko, those guys are flatlining him.

 

Jesse Ferguson

 

Prime Foreman would crush Tokyo Douglas.

 

Holyfield
Bowe
At least post Manila Ali

 

OUTSTANDING--fantastic summary! 100% agree--the Tokyo version of Buster Douglas was absolutely "locked in"--and I think he'd be a handful for any HW that ever laced up the gloves! (Agree also that Frazier--particularly FOTC Frazier would give him the hardest fight with his relentless pressure. But I still think "Tokyo Buster" would put up a hell of a scrap and Joe would take his lumps!!)

 

People forget an uninterested Buster was lighting up a peak unbeaten Tucker at times, unlike the Cubans in the ams. He had no confidence going into that one apparently so trained half heartedly

 

Tyson let Douglas beat him.

That is Tyson's problem, don't make it anybody else's.

Same applies to any other great when they have an off night against a lesser opponent.

By the same token we shouldn't pick Billy Conn to beat all X Y and Z because he gave Joe Lois a tough fight, or Ken Norton because he handed Ali an L.

 

I don't know about that. Conn and Norton definitely took advantage of their opponents not being at their best and their performances were sort of "one offs." But Buster had the size and talent to be a real force. 6"4, 83" reach, punishing jab and power in both hands, and deceptive speed. He exhibited all of his ability when he defeated Tyson. If he had the same kind of dedication and focus for all of his fights he could have been a HW title holder for a lot longer than 8 months. I agree with Eddie Ezzard-a properly trained, conditioned, and motivated Buster would have been a tough night for anybody!

 

Kirk Johnson.

 

I agree 100 percent. Buster Douglas was one of the most talented heavyweights in boxing history. He had one of the best jabs and he could throw any kind of punch with authority, plus he showed great ring generalship that historic night in Tokyo.