Better all round fighter Max Schmeling or Riddick Bowe?

Bowe.

 

Do you think that Bowe was simply better or more skilled and well-rounded as well?

 

Better at everything imo

 

Really? Do you think that Bowe was better boxer than Max? Or better counter puncher? Do you think that Bowe was better defensively?

 

I know it wasn't directed at me,but I think Max is a bit overated.

 

In terms of resume or in terms of abilities? I disagree with both, but especially ability-wise. He was extremely good fighter without any meaningful weakness within his weight - smart, durable, powerful puncher, good defensively, versatile, tough and well conditioned.

 

I'm half way through watching Mayweather vs Castillo 1&2 but I'll come back to this in more detail mate.

 

Schmeling - pros imo- expert timing, accuracy and power on his right hand. High Ring IQ, Solid if unspectacular footwork, defensively responsible.
Schmeling cons imo- weak lead hand, rather stationary fighter, could be blitzed out early, before he warmed up. Also despite the defeating Louis in the pocket, a great puncher, Max doesn't appear to be a physically imposing heavyweight majority of his early career was at light heavy. I believe he would struggle post 1960's with most large scale heavies.

 

I believe the only tangible advantage you could give to Schmelling is ring IQ. He was never accused of fighting dumb. He didn't always have the tools to do what he wanted to do, but he always had a good game plan.

Bowe was not the most intelligent of champions but he made up for it in sheer athletic ability. When you look at the fights with Holyfield, he just fought Holy at his fight, he never dictated the pace or the place of action, he kinda agreed to do what Holy wanted, but just beat him at it. Which was why in the rematch, Holy could beat him on the outside with his hand speed.

He was quicker than Schmelling, harder hitting, a better jab, better infighting, better chin, better power.

Bowe might not have had the sense of timing that Schmelling does, but with his advantages he could still get his shots off first more often than not.

Even if we scale Schmelling up and Bowe down, and Max fights the perfect fight, I don't see him ever winning. He can time Bowe all he wants but Bowe will just punch with him and in any exchange of shots, Bowe has a huge advantage.

 

If Schmeling was 240lb with his same attributes he'd probably have been unbeaten. In my opinion a Bowe-sized Schmeling would clobber Bowe worse than Golota. In reality, in an actual matchup, I think Bowe is likely too big for Schmeling.

 

Yeah if Bowe wins this its due to his massive size advantage. There is no reason to think a 190 pound Bowe would be harder hitting or more durable than Schmelling.

 

Bowe was definitely dirty. And, skill-wise, Schmelling was a more complete fighter. But, at their respective bests: Bowe destroys Max.

 

I don't see any basis for assuming Schmelling would be undefeated.

 

Schmelling was knocked out a few times in his career.

 

Well, look at the Baer fight. It's clear that Schmeling is much more skilled than Baer, but that Baer was much more physical than Schmeling. Give Schmeling a 240lb frame and he'd have crushed Baer.