I take your point, though. He may have been even better. It's not like Futch didn't have a proven track record of improving various styles of fighters. His fine-tuning of Joe Frazier was outstanding and he also had a super heavyweight in Bowe on track before motivation issues took hold. That's two very different heavyweights.
I could see Eddie having Rocky bobbing and weave more. The best thing about Futch was the defensive side of the game that he brought to the table. He certainly had all of his guys fighting to their strengths.
John, do you remember when Futch stopped working with Bowe? I kind of remember Futch very publicly bashing Bowe for being lazy kind like when Ray Arcel bashed Duran in the press for being lazy while training for the 2nd fight with Leonard. I think Bowe and Montell Griffin where the last two guys he trained. He had to have been in his mid 80's at that point.
Agreed . And while Marciano was fine just the way he was, I think futch specialized in that similar type of style might even have made him sharper
Futch (or maybe Kevin Rooney) working with Tua from the start of his pro career would have been interesting.
You bet i do. At one point Futch thought he was going to be the best heavyweight he ever had. Futch dumped him cold.
I feel the flaws in Nunn would be patched up and smoothed over under Steward. Going backwards into the ropes (Barkley fight) instead of side stepping or being authorative with the jab… not being able to step in behind the jab and iron out Starling the smaller man. And not leaving himself so exposed against Toney in the penultimate.