heavyweights with a 'light' portfolio...

I think the significance of the defeat is very very slight, so I wont argue.
I just try to be even-handed with all the great fighters.
If Muhammad Ali had already lost ALL CREDIBILITY as a top-flight fighter before he faced Leon Spinks then I will write it off completely as meaningless. But otherwise I'll factor in it to the overall pros and cons of his career.

Being even-handed I just dont want to end up on that slippery slope that ends with saying Tyson was "shot" before he fought Douglas !
So I remain quite dilligent, and the rule I usually go by is factoring in the fights where the "great fighter" is still champion or is still clearly among the top echelon ...... so, I do judge Dempsey including the Tunney fights, I do factor in Lewis's losses, I do look at Holyfield against Lewis (and perhaps even the Ruiz trilogy), I do look at Holmes losing to Spinks ...... obviously, only to a certain extent.

 

Peace.:good

 

i totally agree with this. ali vs spinks/holmes/berbick etc i think he was already having parkinsons