How many of these heavyweight contenders would have been Champions today.

They would have to beat Fury to be champion, and none of them would.

 

I think Young ,Lyle, Tua, Golota and Ruddock would do enough to walk away with their heads held high- But I think Young and Ruddock and maybe Andy have the best chances.

Small as that chance is...

 

It's hard if you don't have backing. The guy I mentioned got stopped on the Canelo v Smith card, up to then he hadn't been stopped, had only been down once in 35 fights. But he took the fight on 4 days.

And, so many of these guys, they take a fight at the last minute as a favor to a promoter or an agent. When I say promoter I don't mean Top Rank, for example, because, even on a mid level or lower card, TR will only put together the top two fights. The rest of the card will be filled by local promoters, unless the card is to showcase prospects. Then the managers will pick the opponent.

 

Put a nickel in and get a large gumball, and wind-up with peanuts.

 

Alphabet Heavyweight Champion is certainly possible for several of them. Linear Champion is unlikely, IMHO.

 

You're 100% correct, especially in a main scheduled (date) match, when an opponent backs out the promoter must find a qualified substitute that can bring in a good gate. Often times that fighter hasn't fought in the last three months, and is pressed to get in shape, within two to three weeks for 15 rd. Championship fight.

 

When we talk about being a champion on this forum, it should only refer to lineal champions.

Unless we want to award ABC titles retroactively to past fighters. And hey, good luck with that.

 

Bar a Charles Martin-esque fluke, or regular champions etc.

None of them.

 

many of them would blow Fury out, IF they could get near him... and that REALITY Must be taken into these oftimes, silly parings.

some of these Big 6'3 - 6'5" guys were good boxers, fighters and tough... and IF EVEN Playing fields were possible, i.e 6' 4" each, then Fury not only gets beat, but his teir 2 level is seen for what it is.

just a few fights back Fury was teir 3, though, credit due, he has improved, but he is Not TOP Class and never will be.

But S-HWs, first off are NOT HWs and Paring much smaller men to them has to stop really - the BIG Guy usually wins, and in the case of the Giants, the Size & Reach is damn near 100% the betting favourite, But NOT the Skill.

 

Not sure Ken any tbh. Though there are good names there.
If let's say they faced AJ, then we have to remember that the great Andy Ruiz Jr kod him!, so can we say that Ron Lyle, Ruddock or Cooney can't??
It's an intriguing question Ken no doubt.

 

I don't think Bob Foster was ever suitable to being a Heavyweight Champion. His power never carried up and his style wouldn't work with the bigger men. I don't think Tillis or Bugner were either; they are probably good contenders today capable of a nice big win here and there but I don't think they get a belt today.

I DO think that Young, Lyle, Ruddock, Tua, Golota, Williams, Cooney were capable of picking up a belt in today's current landscape.

 

Lyle, Ruddock, Young and Tua have a shot at beating Fury.

 

Maybe Cooney if he could stay away from the drugs.

 

Zero.

 

A few of them might well knock out AJ.
But I think I'd make Fury a favourite over them all.