How would Wlad and Vitali deal with the can opener/overhand right of Tim Witherspoon? Would Holyfield, not quite developed into a full fledged heavyweight, be able to take on either? How about the slickness of Tony Tubbs. The jab of Pinklon Thomas. The explosivness, precision and jab slipping of Mike Tyson. Greg Page at his Ali imitating best. The durability and killer punch of Bonecrusher Smith. Jimmy Young, on the slide but still ultra durable, slick and a spoiler. Ossie Ocasio. Too small? He was the first to take Lennox the distance and took the likes of Mercer to SD's. Detailed anaylsis and opions of all/several of those fighters and with other 80's stars is welcome.
Most experts would not favor Tim Witherspoon to beat either man, but after seeing all three men in action at their best and worst, it would come down to how each showed up at the time of the fight.... Not exactly sure of the time frame you're eluding to, but if its anytime after, or right around the Dokes fight, then I'd pick Evander to beat both... . Tubbs big attribute was that he could stick and move CONSIDERING his size and often deconditioned state. He had little in the way of power, was not the most durable of men, and who's best win was a close decision over a 1985 Greg Page who everyone and their brother was beating around that time..... Both Klits beat Tubbs... If the left jab of Pinklon Thomas was his only attribute, then I'd say he was in trouble. Wlad's weakness was the left HOOK-not the jab, and Vitali does not have a habit of being outboxed by most of his opponents. Thomas was a heroine addict and who's only real signature win was a close decision over an 18 fight Witherspoon, who didn't exactly look like he was motivated to proving himself as the next Muhammad Ali... Both Klits beat Thomas.. Now this posses as a real problem, but only on a conditional basis... If we are talking about the Tyson that blasted Berbick in '86 to the one that bested Spinks in '88, then I'd pick him to clean Wlad's clock within 5 rounds while taking a wide decision over Vitali... If we are talking about the man who fought Douglas...............Use your imagination..... When was his best? Outside of shear size, and occasional courageousness, I don't see much of a problem... Might steal a controversial decision, or then again, lose a controversial decision... Such is life... Those fights meant nothing as Ossie was only looking to surivive and wasn't fighting to win.. Had James Tillis followed the same strategy he would have made the hall of fame on the basis of going the distance with the largest number of hard punching ranked men of all time.... Wish I had more time, but i think I gave the general ( and honest ) gist of things.....
Wait, Tubbs greatest win was against Page? His best offical win, sure. His longetivity was also unbelievable as was making Bowe look like an absolute ass and beating him in many, MANY peoples eyes including my own.
His longevity had to do with his comp list, and for the record, he did not TRULY beat Bowe. In fact, I gave the fight to Riddick by a narrow margin, and let's not forget that Big Daddy was still a good 10 fights away from his signature win against Holyfield.... My opinion stands.. His flagship win was against Greg Page.. The same Page who lost to Witherspoon, Bugner, Wills, and Bey.....
I dont think any of them would have a great chance but if anyone Greg Page in shape ( which was rare) but vs the Vlad of the Chagaev fight I don't think any of them would get past his defense and Jab. Vlad respects the sport and always enters in condition. I like that about any athlete, its respect for the sport and the fans. Remember a lot of fighters have had trouble with the improved VERSION OF VLAD...seems like it is not easy to walk through the jab and right hand that Vlad has and his feet are not bad
I think Witherspoon could definately beat Wlad. Possibly Pinklon Thomas as well. I can see his jab bustiung Wlad up pretty good ..Trevor Berbick could be a wildcard if he came out like he did against Greg Page. A prime Vitali likely beats them all but again Witherspoon could be tough.
I disagree here. Page was coming off his career best win, a 8th round knockout of Gerrie Coetzee and page WAS WBA CHAMPION....So tubbs beat a championship version of Page. Only AFTER the tubbs fight did Page go into decline
I disagree. I thought Tubbs could have got the decision. Also this was a 33 year old past his prime Tony Tubbs. Tubbs was a tremendous talent.
why? Vitali lacks skills, technique, toughness, and speed. I think he would be in for a rude awakening against guys like Thomas, Page, Tubbs, Dokes, Berbick, Witherspoon, etc
