Aside from the odds, what was arguably the greatest mismatch in heavyweight boxing history?

Pretty sure Dempsey had a fight lined up with Beckett the British Champ then Carpentier knocked him out which is why they fought.

 

What did you think of Holmes vs Cobb? Cobb could be hit with a bat and not go down but had no business in that ring against Holmes. Made Howard Cosell quit covering boxing.

 

I’m not sure he’d even had a street fight watching it.

 

To be fair to London despite his limitations as a contender he was always known for his bravery.
Therefore it was highly unusual that he virtually lay down even though he didn’t have a chance.

 

Cobb's greatest contribution to the sport, besides his jokes of course.

 

Mike Tyson v Marvis Frazier.

 

Tyson vs Spinks

Liston vs Patterson 1 and 2

 

Frank Bruno v Gerrie Coetzee

 

Cobb looked like a halfway decent challenger going in. Had looked fairly good against Dokes, beaten Shavers, fought closely vs. Norton. Larry showed why he was by far the best in the world at that point. And it gave Cosell a reason to ride off into the sunset.

 

Jimmy Thunder vs. Crawford Grimsley.

 

Again, should have been a good fight on paper.

 

I think he did us all a favour!

But yeah I agree, it was a terrible mismatch in there. In fairness though, Cobb wasn't totally undeserving of the title shot. He'd given an older Norton and a younger Dokes vert hard fights, as well as KOing two high ranking contenders around that particular time in Shavers and Mercado.

 

He was a deserving contender, Holmes just was firing on all cylinders that night.

 

Larry Holmes vs L Spinks & M Frazier
Wladimir Klitschko vs Marius Wach
Vitali Klitschko vs Tomaz Adamek