Ron Lyle comes along 10 years later

I definitely agree. Someone of Lyle's rugged background coupled with his strict discipline vs. that of the 80s heavyweights and his determination would have made him extremely difficult to beat in the 80s. Beyond Holmes, Tyson, and Spinks as u say, and maybe Witherspoon, Lyle would beat nearly every other heavy in the division.

 

Thomas, Williams, Weaver, Dokes, Page (if he turns up in shape) all have good chances to beat Lyle, not sure he’d be a massive favourite over any of those if they show close to their best.

 

He only got one shot in his own era, and it was when Ali was still pretty good. There are many ways he could've gotten a belt in 1970s that never played out.

 

I think he gives Holmes his most difficult bout and is remembered more fondly and almost certainly ranked higher despite achieving less, in a weird way with less steeper competition and a war with Larry I have a feeling less would be more for Ron he seems to be remembered just for his fight with Quarry where he was utterly schooled his bout with Ali where he come close as well as his war with a rusty Foreman but better things would be on the horizon with no fighter of that caliber in sight.

Personally how I see it is he steam rolls (With very few close calls) all of Larry’s opposition as left overs or possibly before Holmes gets to them and climbs the lander undefeated if he’s matched to his abilities.

As for his title shot I think he would be stopped late by Holmes in there bout as-well as the rematch before long he would go on to have a similar existence as before at the trail end of his career where he becomes food for the next generation’s young lions.

 

I think ur right. Lyle would have given Larry a helluva time.

 

Think he would fit right in with Bruno and Witherspoon. Maybe he wins one but like you said def ain’t beating Holmes or Tyson

 

I think he would be remembered as the third coming of Liston, I don’t believe he would do very well against Tyson at any age coming up against such a force in an aged state would spell defeat my hope would be he retires shortly after cleaning out the division chasing Larry and losing (maybe) winning the fight with a legacy worth remembering and his health intact.

 

He might have picked up the WBA or WBC belt at some point and held it briefly just like most others did in the 80’s. But I don’t see him as being a major stand out guy in that era or any other.

 

Lyle couldn't deal w Jimmy Young and froze when hit by Ali .. I like Lyle as a big puncher but think he had the least shot against Holmes who was much better than Young or the Ali Lyle fought ..

 

i don't think ur far off

 

totally agreed. all good fights