Insired to start this thread after the 35 year old Holmes v Beterbiev thread irritated me so much, could Beterbiev have beaten any of Larry`s former opponents? Could he have beaten any of tyhe fighters Larry beat after the age of 35 going on into the 90`s? Could he have beaten some of Larry`s smaller opponents, like the Spinks brothers etc.? If he had been born the same year as Larry, how would his career have turned out? Would he have clashed with Spinks sometime in the 80`s?
I think he'd do surprisingly well, but worse than Holmes. Also, he's 37, so he'd have to step up soon after turning pro, which I dont think would matter.
Only guys I could see him beating are Marvis and Leon and even those fights are debatable. Marvis might out slick him for a points win, Leon could potentially outwork him in a war. Right now it should be obvious most of Holmes other opponents would be too big, hard hitting, and durable for Artur unless we see Artur hang with cruiserweights.
He'd have a guantlet of very tough fights. Mercer, Holyfield, Tyson, Norton, Shavers, Spinks Cooney just to name a few. As good as Beterbiev is do you honestly see him getting through any of the guys mentioned. He may surprise us with one of two but that's all I would give him.
Ocasio, Frank, Evangelista, shot Ali, Ledoux, Lucien Rodriguez and others wouldn't have a chance in hell against Beterbiev.
No to the majority of Larry's opponents, but, after his last fight, I sure want to see him fight again. I'd love to see Beterbiev vs. Bivol!
Spinks would probably beat him. Beterbiev is good, but a good fighter who moves won't be in line as much for the punches.. He punches great. No doubt.
Shot Ali is the only valid example you gave. The rest would be too much for Artur who hasn't beaten anyone that big who has decent skill.
Porter beat Usyk in the ams so I guess Porter can beat several of Holmes opponents. Ruddock beat Lewis in the ams and was destroyed in their pro fight. Ams don't mean much, especially when there's a significant gap in size.
There isn't that much of a gap in size. That's what you're missing. And yes ams matter despite your pro-American stance.
Lewis was physically bigger and stronger than Bowe in the olympics, his fight in tyhe amatuers v Ruddock meant nothing, he was just learning and Bowe was still growing v Lewis. This content is protected 1:14 Commentator mentions how small and weak Bowe is in 1988 as an amateur.