Is there any fighters in history under 200 pounds that you believe could beat Lewis, Klitschko etc

That is not an unreasonable position, but superheavyweights always had skills, and there was always a lot of effort to develop them.

If Primo Carnera's handlers could have got Floyd Mayweather in to train him, they would have done so!

 

Being 15lbs heavier will make him stronger, but it won't improve his ability to take a punch.

Holyfield's obvious advantages are speed and technique, and he wouldn't need to sacrifice those at 199.

 

Yes and no.

You have modern guys like Bowe, who chose to scrap on the inside, with smaller fighters.

All of these fighters tried to work out what was best for them.

Some got it right, and some didn't.

Against Louis, you have two options as the bigger man.

Run from him or fight him?

 

Those guys lacked all of the modern physical advances. Legal and otherwise.

 

Hose tactics were quite common among most fighters of that era. I’d say Dempsey was just giving what he was getting, but giving it harder. If you watch his highlight reel that demonstrates his defensive skills he looks a lot like Sweet Pea Whitaker. Highly underrated defense and a vicious puncher and finisher.

 

This. Louis was way too good at parrying and countering for a big guy to just sit back and jab him all night without paying for it. Not to mention Joe’s incredible handspeed and combinations, which were kryptonite for the big men, who were also bigger targets. Lennox Lewis or Wlad would get countered and put on their backs just the same if they over relied on their reach and jab against Louis.

The few times Buddy just powered through and let his hands go he did damage on Louis, but the jab was ineffective, since Louis was excellent at neutralizing the jab against bigger slower heavyweights.

 

and the MENTALITY

 

Tyson, Ali, Louis, Holyfield, and other true greats would be favoured more often than not.
Height, reach, weight, only matters up to a certain point, and depending on styles.
We've all seen Ruiz destroy Joshua, it's not 'a different division'.

There's less skill in the heavyweight division and in boxing in general now.
It makes sense that the bigger guys are going to rise to the top when boxing has become about being big and tall rather than crafty and skilled.

 

I agree totally, but 'Some' of the More Skilled Giants will alway have the advantage of Height, Reach... the disparity too great.

because - it IS a whole Different Division.

 

There are other things you need to be great. Speed is so important.
Fury can move for a giant, but he can't move like Ali.
Ruiz beat Joshua with speed.
Joshua is regarded as a top 2 or best heavy in the world, he shouldn't be losing to Ruiz if the big and tall argument was so simple.
I agree size and reach can be helpful, but it isn't everything.

Joshua was beaten by Ruiz, I'm confident plenty of other smaller, non obese blokes can beat him in a similar fashion.

I'd confidently pick all of those I mentioned plus plenty of others to smash Wilder. Ruiz as well probably.

Fury is probably the best now, but he's beaten a 40 year old Wlad, and... Wilder.

Hardly much of a case for this so called new division?
We can go back to Wlad and Vitali, who weren't as good as Lewis, who wasn't as good as Ali.

You need speed, chin, heart, experience and punching power to be a great heavyweight, all are more important than height and weight.