Prime Saad was a couple years earlier, his style and the way he fought made him age like milk. I don't think he'd beat Braxton though. Qawi was a badman.
Not really. I don't really overrate Saad. I've never got the idea that he'd beat some of the best ever, TBH I think he was a bit of an overachiever.
I've never bought into that. He only started beating world class fighters in 1977 at the age of 23. Qawi was 4 years later.
Matthew pulls of another miracle, but it's above all of his previous ones. Qawi would have been his toughest opponent.
Just rewatched the first fight. I think prime Saad a few years and a few beatings prior is a little more lively and wins a few more rounds and doesn’t get stopped, but Qawi is just the better guy. He wins a unanimous decision.
Matt was slipping by the time he fought Braxton. Too many wars just made him age prematurely. Either way I have Braxton beating him prime for prime
I don't think Saad ever beats Qawi. At his best it's likely more competitive, but Saad is always gonna be too hittable.
I wouldn't say Qawi was " a level above" it was mostly a styles thing. Qawi gets him every time because of that method of attacking from down low while maintaining a good defense. Saad is too upright a boxer and fights from the top down.