Are all Champions 40 and over special fighters?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mendoza, Mar 12, 2011.


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  1. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. Full Member

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    At least ten over Foreman in the early mid 1990's?
     
    Mendoza, Mar 13, 2011
    Mendoza, Mar 13, 2011
    #16
  2. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Take your pick from: Lennox, Tyson, Holyfield, Bowe, Golota, Morrison, Holmes, Bruno, Rudduck, Akiwande, McCall, Tucker, Mercer, Douglas, Tubbs and ofcourse Shulz. Moorer probably wins a rematch too but yea at least 10
     
    PowerPuncher, Mar 13, 2011
    PowerPuncher, Mar 13, 2011
    #17
  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    We know that he hasn't proven himself to be better than most of the fighters in and around the rankings - this is why Ring ranks him at #10 and not #3. I, for myself, am satisfied that his is not as good as Haye or Wlad, and I think that it's likely that there are a few other names on there that are as good or better. Unquestionably - unquestionably - there are fighters on the list that are more proven.

    He is. He hasn't even had 20 pro-fights. By comparison, Vitali was sharpening his skills on guys like Dicky Ryan, a 2-2 for his last four Julias Francis and Ribalta and Kennedy who had lost two and three in a row respectively before fighting Vitali. Experience is relative. Solis isn't experienced enough for this type of challenge - just like Vitali wasn't ready for Holyfield or Lewis or Bowe. Vitali was four years and a dozen fights shy of taking on the best in his division at that point in his career.

    It's a factor, but not really that important. The reason guys with 200 plus fights at am level don't challenge for the title when they turn pro is that the two sports are different. Solis is 17-0 as a pro.

    :lol: how many ranked fighters has he beaten? How many men that he's beaten were ranked by Ring when he fought them?

    He might be in his prime. He might not be though. He's developed serious weight problems. As you say, if he is better shape you can argue he is in his prime, if he comes in above 250, maybe 255 he's a fighter out of shape.
     
    McGrain, Mar 13, 2011
    McGrain, Mar 13, 2011
    #18
  4. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Solis isn't proven as a pro, that doesn't mean he doesn't have the ability, he maybe better than Haye/Povetkin, he was an elite amateur but so was Audley Harrison. Solis has/had the potential to be an elite pro though, I think he maybe another Cuban who gets lazy when given the money of the West, like:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wJGaUO1sQg[/ame]
     
    PowerPuncher, Mar 13, 2011
    PowerPuncher, Mar 13, 2011
    #19
  5. Kalasinn

    Kalasinn ♧ OG Kally ♤ Full Member

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    Since the brothers won't fight, the best scenario for Vitali would be...

    Haye KO's Wlad.

    Then Vitali KO's Haye.

    Such a win at age 40 would make VK an ATG Heavy in my mind.
     
    Kalasinn, Mar 13, 2011
    Kalasinn, Mar 13, 2011
    #20
  6. Kalasinn

    Kalasinn ♧ OG Kally ♤ Full Member

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    You mean "Grade A" potential? I strongly disagree. :nono
     
    Kalasinn, Mar 13, 2011
    Kalasinn, Mar 13, 2011
    #21
  7. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. Full Member

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    Not sure if Golota could ever win a big fight. Tucker by the mid 1990's was on the decline. You never know with McCall. Same with Mercer. Still, I agree that Foreman would be the bettering underdog in at least seven matches in the ealry to mid 1990's.
     
    Mendoza, Mar 13, 2011
    Mendoza, Mar 13, 2011
    #22
  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    I certainly think that any fighter who is a lineal champion at 40 would have to be regarded as exceptional.

    Holding a belt at that age is not such a distinguished acomplishment in itself. I would be more generous to Vitally Klitschko in this regard because he is not just any belt holder but a dominat one.
     
    janitor, Mar 13, 2011
    janitor, Mar 13, 2011
    #23
  9. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

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    Yes, Vitali is better than the Hopkins that beat Oscar and Tarver. Nobody is jumping on board in believing Vitali is a legit bonafide ATG because he's creeping over 40. Yes, he's a very special athlete (Anyone doing what he's going to be doing at near 40 or older is exceptional). Although it seems longevity is being added to athletes of all sports every day with the understanding of science and modern nutrition, it's still special. But that doesn't warrant too much of an achievement in and of itself, especially in this abysmal HW era. Let's wait till he beats Adamek, Haye, or at least Povetkin before giving him too much credit. I mean, his recent opposition has been bad, aged, undeserving, or too inexperienced. Solis will be his best win since Peter?
     
    PetethePrince, Mar 13, 2011
    PetethePrince, Mar 13, 2011
    #24
  10. PoliSari

    PoliSari █ Geek Chic Superstar █ ™ Full Member

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    depends on what you mean by 'special fighter'. i would not consider someone an ATG just because they grabbed a belt when they were 40+. but for me, if you step in at 40+ and are fighting for a title and winning (weaker era or not), you are at a level that i would classify as 'special'.

    but regardless, it is what your career consists of in its entirety that sets fighters apart. not just achieving a milestone at an advanced age (in terms of this sport).
     
    PoliSari, Mar 13, 2011
    PoliSari, Mar 13, 2011
    #25
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