Since no one really answered my thread about who was better Stevenson or savon id like to know who you think would be the better pro
Stevenson. Especially if he turns pro in 72 after destroying Bobick. And he gets top shelf management and a top trainer. That means he hits top 10 in 75 or so. Ready for the big names in that 76 timeframe. But the only other up and comers from that 72 class were Holmes and Bobick. Both were regional fighters and Lyle had turned pro in 71. No other touted prospects on the way up. And lots of old names on the way down. So Stevenson and that big size of his catches guys at the right time. And timing is huge. By late 77, all you had were 2 guys out of south africa/76 handful of amatuers turning pro and would need another 3 years or more. That leaves a real nice window. I don't think Bobick ever beats him and Holmes was always open for right hands, and that is by far his biggest test.
Definitely Stevenson. And Teo needed professional competition to continue improving after 1976. For 90 seconds against John Tate, he demonstrated his mobility and generalship under pressure before that one punch knockout ended matters in Montreal. He had the height, reach, right hand, and certainly a promotable look and persona. But, deprived of a higher caliber of opposition, he could only go backwards instead of progressing.
Geez, I would have liked to have seen Igor turn pro as well. Sure would've been interesting if current surgical techniques were available back then to prevent those cuts. Same as Teofilo though, great management and a great trainer and nuture the guy. And the popularity and promotional opportunities for the first soviet powerhouse ko heavyweight boxing threat. These days, almost anyone on the planet can turn pro, but those opportunities were not world wide 35/40 years ago and we the fans suffered from some potential great fighters and great matches. Just think as a pro--Stevenson/Cooney in 81. How about an Igor and Knoetzee slugfest which would've had an attendance of about 80,000? Or, Stevenson/Foreman in 77 instead of the Young or Agusto fights? The sport could have really used that influx in that division back then.
