Ike Ibeabuci vs Jersey Joe Walcott

Ike beat Byrd quicker than Povetkin did and Byrd was shot against Povetkin. Guy was a monster

 

I think he loses to Tua, for definite. I can't see him brawling with Tua and winning, or not getting KOed. Awful style match-up.

But I can see him beating Byrd. He managed it vs Charles and Walcott, who I find better - but definitely on a similar level to Chris - and he also held LaStarza to a split. I think his style was very annoying for guys who were slick and tried to stay away. I can't remember him beating any southpaws however, and it should be noted, that he didn't really deserve the Charles win, and was roundly thrashed by Ez in other fights. 50/50, I lean towards Byrd.

 

Think Layne was better then Tua and Byrd but style wise Tua is all wrong for him. Has a better shot at a close fight w Byrd. Think they’re all in that second tier top contender class.

 

The trouble with Layne, is that he was a bit of a flash in the pan.

He was a handful for anybody around briefly, then he went into the tank pretty quickly.

 

I think you would have to factor in that Byrd might have been green vs Ike.

 

I think Walcott the better fighter, but Ike to me, has an insurmountable style advantage. Walcott's problems with Marciano and Layne seemed to come from their workrates and strength. Ibeabuci had both in spades, arguably more than both in both areas. I'm always surprised at the regularity with which Ike found Byrd's head with huge shots in their fight. While I think Walcott is also better than Byrd, I don't think his head-movement is, and even if it was, it wasn't by anywhere near enough to change to make Ike go from landing with regularity, to not landing a thing. Everything points to Ike here, stylistically. Being about 40lbs bigger doesn't hurt either.

Ike seemed to figure out Byrd's style. He looked lost early, and gradually started to put himself in position to land. Once he got there, he opened up and landing tons. He was made foolish at longer ranges, like everybody was.

I see the fight starting off with Walcott being cagey, shifting in, occupying the space and looking to make Ike bite. Of course he would, and Walcott absolutely nails him with something beautiful. Ike snorts and keeps coming forward, and Walcott decides that he doesn't want to stay in front of that thing and starts to box. He almost embarrases Ike early on, but as the rounds progress, Ike gets closer and closer. It takes longer than it did vs Byrd, due to Walcott's unbelievable footwork, but he doesn't eventually find himself where he wants to be. And I think he takes advantage from then on and really grinds Walcott down before stopping him. Probably nine or ten rounds, I'd say.

Ike TKO10

 

Tua is a slightly odd case.

His career progression would imply that he probably improved, but I agree that he never really looked better.

I keep an open mind on that one.

Now in Byrd's case, I think that we have to assume that he improved quite a bit.

 

You are merely a well maintained, consistent, dedicated troll.... Or you really don't have an eye for boxing.

 

If that is what you think, then I can't really help you!

 

If you think flabby-armed, no twitch, jaw on a coat hanger Layne would last more than a round with Tua, you are in a world of pure delusion. He is custom tailored for Tua.

 

I agree that Tua's career in terms of results likely went on the uptrend, but I don't think he ever churned out a performance as impressive or as complete at the one he did vs Ibeabuci. I also thought he won.

Now, I watched the Byrd fight a few hours ago, and I don't think he looked any different than he did in later fights. His best wins came in 2000, 2001 and 2002. I don't think there was an improvement between those fights, and even if there was, there wasn't a big one.

 

Then there are probably quite a few posters here, that you can't help!

The thing with you is, that you are very knowledgeable - and also, I believe, quite intelligent. Which makes it all the more sad, to see you waste your time with this silly trolling. I don't for one second believe, that you really think Layne would beat Tua. No way you can honestly believe that!

 

I am thinking along similar lines here, but it is also at the back of my mind, that Tua might have come up against men who were better at nullifying him, later in his career.

Ike's tactics at least made his job simple.

Chris Byrd didn't really crack the top ten until 2000.

He was at least a year off his best work when he lost to Ike, and he had not beaten anybody of any note.

I suspect that this fight was part of the learning curve for him.

 

Then there is little point in debating with you!

How can you constructively argue with somebody who does not accept that you believe what you say?

 

I think Ike is incredibly overrated but this is certainly a winnable matchup based on styles. Walcott had great footwork and counters but wasn't the most durable guy and he'd need to fight the absolute perfect fight to pull off a win here from start to finish and he'd be in danger of getting stopped if Ike ever managed to corner him and nail some heavy shots.

I do agree with some posters who have noted that Ike wasn't just a brute and could set up shots well. He had tremendous stamina and could make adjustments, he didn't just try the same thing over and over. And as noted, the Byrd fight does offer some clues in this matchup. Byrd was no scrub and one of the best defensive fighters (although he was very undersized compared to Ike having moved up from light heavy, but to be fair, Walcott wasn't a very big guy either as he was rarely heavier than the average cruiserweight). Yet Ike picked him apart. The even bigger Klitschkos didn't look nearly as good as Ike did against Byrd. Real shame his career got cut short.

He is intelligent and very knowledgeable but he insists on sticking with his agenda at all costs even when presented with questions that can make his agenda look quite goofy. I don't understand why he digs his heels in when it isn't necessary. He reminds me of a politician in that regard.