I think they are about 50/50 matchups both Vitali vs. Foreman and Vitali vs. Ali... Maybe I give Foreman less chance to win than Ali because Vitali could beat GF 2 ways. By boxing safely all night or bombing him out in a slug fest. The Ali fight is probably going to a decision,, so that fight is all a question if Ali can figure out how to get around Klitschkos Jab and reach to land enough points on him
Nobody, except... during the first half of the 70s Lewis would fall to Foreman in 3, get outpointed by Ali, and possibly (I wrote possibly) get chopped down by Frazier. After that I think the same Lewis would beat Ali, Frazier, and possibly Foreman. Holmes would outbox him in 15. It's possible Norton outpoints him in 1972, since Lewis with Steward was a LOT more careful and might let the fight slip away. But sure, if Lewis lands flush with the right Norton might go into la-la land. I imagine the Bowe and Holyfield who fought the first time...the men who fought on THAT night would have been a handful for Ali, Foreman, Frazier, and Holmes. I don't see them beating any of them, unless there was perhaps more than one fight between them.
I think “ rule “ is a very strong word but I think there ARE a handful who would be in the upper echelon of heavies in the 70s. A few of the might even have held the title at various parts of the decade.
Lewis, Waldo, Vital, Fury would come closest.. but no one actually RULED the 70's. These guys would embarrass most of the contenders and would be favored over all of the champs.
At 34 Lewis was hardly a youngster when he fought the 36 years old Holyfield the second time, and with 40 fights under his belt he had only had 4 more bouts than Lennox.
Until Holmes hit his prime, the ones who could handle past-it Ali, Frazier and Foreman: Lewis, Bowe, Fury and Vitali. Frazier isn´t the problem here, but Ali and Foreman got contrary styles. Most contenders would be toast.
Lewis was a late bloomer whose best years were from 98-02. Lewis of 99 would destroy his younger version. Holyfield had far more tough fights until that point, was 3 years older, and past it. Even Lewis's trainer said that Holyfield was past it. 3 years is a huge difference at that level.
