Was watching Ike fight Tua before, and I thought he dealt with Tua's left hook pretty well, and it was Tua's overhand was the bigger threat. So how does he deal with the best left hook in the division?
Wait are you putting him in with Tyson or Frazier? Joking aside, it's a pretty even fight for my money. Slight leans towards Ibeabuchi's 2 handed technically sound inside game and weight and strength advantage
Frazier pounds Ike and stops him late. That nutcase is getting overrated again. Ike was no Foreman, and Tua was no Frazier. Stop putting Ike in with the greats. He's not beating Ali, Louis, Holmes, Lewis, Tyson, Foreman, Frazier, Holy, or Liston. Match him up with guys like Joshua and Wilder, where he can actually win.
This. The guys rep is based on a fight he didn't even won, he should've lost against Tua. Ike is a very good fighter, but he ain't got a patch on Smokin' Joe or any other ATGs.
To answer the OP, Ike puts up a good fight the whole way through, his strength, chin and workrate being his best assets, but Frazier's deceptively crafty footwork let's him sneak into position to let loose with lefts (like he always did) and Ike gets pounded downstairs. Joe makes him miss and then makes him pay, and wins a UD based off higher landing percentages.
It's fine to match Ike with guys like Bruno, Morrison, Cooney, ect. Instead, he's matched with Foreman, Tyson, Lewis. Those guys would have caused him more head trauma than he already has.
I think he's a bit above guys like Bruno, Morrison and Cooney, though. I'd say he's around the level of a Norton, Young or Lyle. I'd pick him over all 3 of those. Maybe he caps out at Buster Douglas or Tim Witherspoon? I'd say he's around that level.
Not sure I'd favor Ike over Norton. The myth of Ike as a devastating puncher is just that, a myth. He had good power, but nothing big time. Norton might have outboxed him.
I don't subscribe to the theory that Norton loses to every puncher. That's not why I'd pick Ike, I'd pick Ike coz I think he's better suited for a war. His better chin, stamina and size is perfect for warring with a guy who's chin is below average.
Yeah, I liked Ike, he was fun but I had Tua edging him. If Tua is edging you what is Frazier doing to you?
