Do the 80 s alphabet heavy s change the face of the 70 s picture?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Fergy, Jun 11, 2017.


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  1. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    If the 1980 s alphabet champs had been around a decade earlier, would the 70 s have been a different picture in the heavy weight division? The 70 s constiting of Ali, frazier, foreman and Norton. But what if the early to mid 70 s had page, tubbs, spoon, tucker, dokes etc as contenders back then? How do they fit into the golden era? I'll rule holmes and tyson out of this as the head to head s betcween these two and the 70 s guys have been done numerous times.
     
    Fergy, Jun 11, 2017
    Fergy, Jun 11, 2017
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  2. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The ones you mention would have had some success but fall short too. They were too erratic while the 70s guys were pretty consistent.
     
    Stevie G, Jun 12, 2017
    Stevie G, Jun 12, 2017
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  3. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    It just goes to show Stevie, the difference between the two decades. Apart from holmes at the beginning and tyson at the end of the 80 s, no one stood out that could make a mark in the golden era. All those alphabet boys and non that can think of would trouble ali, foreman, frazier etc.
     
    Fergy, Jun 12, 2017
    Fergy, Jun 12, 2017
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  4. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    A couple of them would trouble those guys a bit on their good nights, absolutely. Ali wasn't exactly on fire very often in the second half of the 70's. Page, Thomas, Spoon, Weaver, Dokes - these guys would trouble Ali on his bad nights when they were firing.

    For the bolded - take away the two top fighters of any decade and how many are you left with that would trouble Ali, Foreman and Frazier? Not too many.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 12, 2017
    JohnThomas1, Jun 12, 2017
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  5. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Jerry Quarry, Jimmy Young, Ken Norton*, Earnie Shavers & Ron Lyle would have the "gatekeeper" the 80's guys (excluding Holmes & Tyson) would have to go over
     
    Longhhorn71, Jun 13, 2017
    Longhhorn71, Jun 13, 2017
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  6. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    There isn't many to be honest that you can confidently say that they could take ali foreman or frazier. Ali 74 onwards struggled in a few fights, so yes that s the time for a Thomas, Spoon, dokes etc to step in. And any of those guys beats the ali of 77 I'm confident.
     
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2017
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2017
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  7. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    There would be some entertaining fight s going on in the second tier with those guys mixing. Dokes v Norton, Spoon v quarry, lyle v weaver!
     
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2017
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2017
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  8. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    I think Norton - Weaver would be fascinating.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 13, 2017
    JohnThomas1, Jun 13, 2017
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  9. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    How do you see it going John?and what about spoon v quarry?
     
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2017
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2017
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  10. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    I would make Kenny fave but it would be a reasonably dangerous fight for him. Mike could be far too laid back and might not back Ken up often enough to put him off his game. If Weaver did hurt him he was a pretty good finisher however.

    I think Witherspoon at his best would beat Quarry but i also think Witherspoon has become somewhat overrated.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 13, 2017
    JohnThomas1, Jun 13, 2017
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  11. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Must admit, when I first thought of Norton v weaver, all I could think of was weaver ko 1 Norton. But as you pointed out, weaver could be laid back, sometimes if he had someone hurt as well he could back off a little. So that said, perhaps Norton could win this, perhaps on points or late stoppage. But he's really not to get careless cos weaver can take u out with one blow.

    Spoon and quarry, tim should win.. But if he s not in best condition mentally or physically then quarry could work him over. If spoon comes in top nick, then I see him gradually wearing him down and battering him in the late rounds.
     
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2017
    Fergy, Jun 13, 2017
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  12. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Agree for sure Fergy. Weavers a slow starter and Norton would be able to feel his way into the contest early on. I'd favor Kenny for sure. Witherspoon has to be in decent nick.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 13, 2017
    JohnThomas1, Jun 13, 2017
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  13. GALVATRON

    GALVATRON Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    you would see Ali facing more poished boxers/less brawlers...Witherspoon was not the best guy in the 80's for instance ( no he didnt beat Holmes and Holmes took that fight on 2 weeks notice) but good enough to defeta other 70's guys,and neither was Weaver whos not in my top 10 head to head.Take away popularity again we have better boxers in the 80's for the most part.Throw in a Douglas and Tucker the two biggest technical guys thean and you have better versions of Jimmy young and Norton type fighters.
     
    GALVATRON, Jun 13, 2017
    GALVATRON, Jun 13, 2017
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  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    On what planet did Holmes take the Witherspoon fight on 2 weeks notice?
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 13, 2017
    JohnThomas1, Jun 13, 2017
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  15. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Norton v Witherspoon would be good.
     
    Stevie G, Jun 13, 2017
    Stevie G, Jun 13, 2017
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