Aging HW champion tournament

I want to take 1991 Foreman in the first fight of the bracket, as it's before he even won the title, but maybe old Holyfield beats him again here? I thought the Holyfield-Ruiz fights were pretty dreadful. I'll take Foreman to advance.

I'll take 1992 Holmes (the one who beat Mercer) over Louis. I don't think Louis had much left from 1950 on, but he had some decent looking wins on paper. Still, pretty comfortable with a Holmes win here.

All we know if 1975 Smokin Joe is that he got destroyed by Foreman. Still, Bowe was so done in 1996 that I might even take 1981 Frazier over 96 Bowe, lol.

My first reaction was Wlad 2017 would beat 2000 Tyson. However, Tyson had a pretty good 2000, all told. However, he only fought 5 rounds in those three fights. If Wlad can grab and jab for a few rounds, he'd proabably get Tyson out of there in the mid to late rounds. I'll take Wlad, but Tyson is very live here for a few minutes.

91 Foreman vs. 92 Holmes - I would have even loved to see this fight around this time. I do think there is a good chance that Holmes could jab his way to a 116-112 victory here. Like I said, pre championship Foreman is hard not to take for the whole tournament, but Holmes may have enough in his legs and jab to walk away with a victory by UD, that certainly produces some scary moments for Larry along the way.

Gotta take Wlad here, I think. George could catch him with a hook, but, I think this fight may be even easier than the Tyson fight, at this point in Joe's career.

2017 Klitschko vs. 1992 Holmes. I think I would favor Wlad here, but I wouldn't be that comfortable putting money on it. I'll pick Wlad to win the whole thing, but there is a very real chance he doesn't make it out of the first or second round, as well. Wlad might be able to ugly his way to a win here, and I don't think 92 Holmes hurts Wlad enough to stop him. Again, not in love with this pick.

Champion - 2017 W. Klitschko

 

Foreman/Holyfield is a tough one because whilst Holyfield didn't look good vs Ruiz. Remember Holyfield just previously had come close to beating Lennox Lewis in their 2nd fight, so did Holyfield just age overnight ? or was it a combination of Ruiz's ugly style and Holyfield aging ? but basing it on Holyfield's form vs Ruiz, and the fact Ruiz even floored and badly hurt Holyfield in one of their fights i have to side with Foreman.

Louis lost every single round to Charles and was coming off a 2 year lay off, Holmes had beat Mercer and gave a prime Holyfield a competitive fight. Logical tells me that Holmes should win a decision in this fight based on being in much better form.

Bowe was horribly weight drained and looked weak vs Golota, Frazier coming off a galiant effort vs Ali and managed to go 5 rounds with Big George. I might actually favour Frazier in this fight amazingly enough, Bowe had early signs of brain damage and was frail vs Golota.

Wladimir coming off a 2 year lay off ? probably loses to Tyson in 2000 who had some decent performances bombing out Savarese and Golota.

 

Let's see what ChatGPT has to say about this -

2000 Holyfield vs 1991 Foreman - Holyfield UD Evander Holyfield would likely win a unanimous decision over George Foreman, with a final score of 118-110 or 117-111 on the judges' scorecards

Larry Holmes would likely win a unanimous decision over Joe Louis, with a final score of 116-112 or 115-113 on the judges' scorecards

Riddick Bowe would likely win a close and competitive unanimous decision over Joe Frazier, with a final score of 115-113 or 116-112 on the judges' scorecards

Wladimir Klitschko would likely win a unanimous decision over Mike Tyson, with a final score of 116-112 or 115-113 on the judges' scorecards

Larry Holmes would likely win a unanimous decision over Evander Holyfield, with a final score of 116-112 or 115-113 on the judges' scorecards

Riddick Bowe would likely win a close decision over Wladimir Klitschko, with a final score of 115-113 or 116-112 on the judges' scorecards

Larry Holmes would likely win a close decision over Riddick Bowe, with a final score of 115-113 or 116-112 on the judges' scorecards.

Champ = Holmes

My thoughts - AI certainly likes 1996 Bowe more than me. It's hard for me to look past what Bowe looked like in 1996, but he knocked out Holyfield in 1995, which I bet AI really likes (just a guess).

 

What about the second round fights in this case? Foreman/Holmes and Frazier/Tyson

 

I think 1991 Foreman will eventually catch and chin 2000 Evander.

Holmes beats Louis.

Bowe likely beats Frazier, his performance in the second Golota fight wasn't prime Bowe but it also wasn't that bad either.

Wlad vs. Tyson is a pretty funny comparison IMO, since these are examples of aging from the opposite perspectives. Wlad is one of the most finely aged boxers ever, he competed with the best heavyweights into his 40s. Unlike Mike, who's peak ended at 22. I'll go with Wlad to eventually stop Mike in the later rounds.

 

I love this one. I'm going to say Holmes takes the entire thing. Holmes looked great in 1992 for his age and wear level. The only one on this list who gives him an issue is Foreman, but I don't think Foreman is fast enough to finish it if he hurt him and don't think Foreman can win a decision against him.

 

Mike Tyson (Golota Fight) is the champion of this tournament.
If Mike were to be disqualified for testing positive for marijuana, then the winner of the tournament would be runner-up 1992 Holmes.

 

Vitali Klitschko was the best one and he isn't listed.

 

Damn, I have found myself agreeing with you twice in 24 hours!

 

I agree with Vitali, too. Very disconcerting.

 

1991 Foreman
2000 Holyfield(ruiz fights)

Foreman wins by late stoppage.

1992 Holmes
1950 Louis

Holmes UD

1996 Bowe(Golota 2)
1976 Joe Frazier

Bowe UD

2017 Klitschko
2000 Tyson

Klitschko late stoppage.

Foreman narrowly out points Holmes in the semifinals. Bowe stops Klitschko late.

Bowe beats Foreman in the finals UD.



Bowe was only 28 in 1996. He had WAY less miles on the clock than the other boxers listed here and would have the energy and strength to outwork these older guys. There's a difference between a boxer being past his prime and him actually being biologically old or shot. Bowe was not shot in the Golota fight, nor was he old. Bowe was simply fat, didn't take Golota seriously, and got picked apart. The low blows made things worse obviously, but Golota was making him look pretty bad both fights for several rounds. Really, Bowe shouldn't be in this tournament.

 

IA is one of those refs who just won’t pull the trigger on a stoppage. All UDs.

 

DANG, I might have to go with the Easton Assassin