The definition of prime, past prime and shot. When was your favorite fighter in each phase?

Prime: the height of your H2H/physical ability.(Holyfield 1987-1992) (Tyson 1987-1991)(RJJ 1993-1997) (Ali 1964-67)

Past Prime: declining physically(speed, reflexes) but still good enough to compete at a high level OR declining physically but with adjustments in boxing style and technique that make up for reduced athleticism to keep H2H ability even if now vulnerable stylistically to good "youthful/athletic" fighters. (Holyfield 1993-97)(Bernard Hopkins 2002-2011)(Tyson 1995-1997) (RJJ 1998-2003) (Ali 1970-1974)

Borderline: Unable to compete at the highest level for the most part but still able to win against a top fighter with a favorable style match up(Hopkins 2011-2014) (Holyfield 1998-2001)(Tyson 99-2000)(Ali 1975-1977)

Shot: Unable to get the job done, getting beat up by fighters that would usually not be competitive, unable to avoid punches or pull the trigger against good fighters, unquestionably finished at the championship level(Tyson 2002-5)(Ali 1978-1980)(Holyfield 2002-11)

You dont have to agree with the timeframes i gave for popular fighters for example, But Can we agree on the definitions?

 

I was hoping we could use that as a guideline for discussing H2H matchups

 

Thanks

 

Well IMO "peak" is kind of an illusion in most cases, where a prime fighter has an opponent who's style is so favorable that it results in the prime fighter's most impressive career performance which is then in hindsight singled out s his peak. Any nonshot version of tyson would have gotten rid of that spinks early, that was not really a fight or an opponent that forced tyson to be in optimal shape. Spinks didnt give him any problems that could have told us tyson's progress as a fighter. I agree however that given his deterioration between him firing rooney, and his loss to douglas and subsequent hiring of giachetti, tyson was probably at his best either in 1988 or 1991 on the comeback trail. But I couldnt single out the spinks fight as tyson's peak because spinks didnt even offer any resistance. But I guess it can be used as a symbolic peak, because ofwhat happened after. I liked his measured but quick, clinical execution of tubbs more. I was really impressed by his attitude in that fight, his attitude and mental preperation for a fight being the key factor if tyson was on his game or not.
I dont think there is a mythical one fight prime or peak riddick bowe either, he just had a much smaller man coming to him trying to outpunch him. Lewis, tyson foreman tucker and maybe even ruddock would have beaten holyfield if he fought them that way. Bowe benefited from Holyfields mistake by gaining the HW crown and a reputation as a H2H beast.

Yeah for me he was just a little too raw in the 2nd dejesus fight but his performances from the 3rd dejesus fight to the first leonard fight were breathtaking especially the palomino fight. That 2 year run could IMHO be called a peak moreso than the tyson and bowe examples because he fought a variety of very skilled guys with different styles that presented different challenges and handled them all very very well and showed patience, his boxing skills vs palomino and dejesus 3 as well as his ferocious destructive side against leonard and bizarro