Tim Witherspoon vs Micheal Moorer

I think Spoon knocks him out. I think he was bigger (more of a natural HW) and better.

Needless to say, I'm assuming that Spoon spends camp actually training instead of smoking weed and eating.

 

Tim Witherspoon was hot and cold, but when he was ready, he had it all - skills, power, stamina, chin and sharpness to beat anyone.

I pick Witherspoon by KO with his great overhand right.

 

As long as Tim comes in shape, he catches Moorer eventually and stops him.

 

At their best I'd go with Witherspoon.. I don't think Moorer knew how to fight a guy like that and Tim had the chin, reach, power and style to neutralize Moorer's game.

 

With each fighter at his best, I go with Whitherspoon. Better chin. Both could punch, both could box, hand speed close to being equal, so it comes down to has the best whiskers.

 

This fight was actually discussed in the early 90s. It probably would have gotten Timmy into shape as a victory over a top 10 fighter would have elevated him to a potential title shot.

For me it's a no-brainer. Moorer had a questionable victory over a sick Holyfield but outside of that his resume is thin. I am convinced though that the Foreman fight did ruin him and that he was never the same when he started consistently weighing in above 220 pounds...but I think Tims power would be a bit too much.

 

Yes, Tim Witherspoon's manager Dennis Rappaport was in discussions with Michael Moorer's team for Moorer to defend his WBO heavyweight title against Witherspoon in 1992. Moorer even attended the Witherspoon-Bigfoot Martin fight in Michigan to scout and help hype the possible fight. The USA Network even showed a rebroadcast of Moorer-Cooper before the Witherspoon-Martin fight to help hype a possible title fight down the road.

Then Tim Witherspoon stunk out the joint, lost to Bigfoot Martin that night and the fight was off

Witherspoon fought and looked awful. Of course, he blamed the decision loss on Rappaport. He claimed in his biography that Rappaport was badmouthing Michigan hoping to stir up interest in a Moorer fight, so the Michigan judges took it out on Tim.

Witherspoon always blamed everyone but himself.

I feel like I'm really riding Witherspoon today, but people like that drive me nuts.

Rappaport's trying to get him a title shot and a big purse, and Witherspoon doesn't hold up his end, doesn't train, and blames the guy who's trying his best to advance his career.

When Witherspoon was about to get a big fight (like Tyson in the tourney or Moorer for the WBO belt) he'd show up out of shape and blow it. I always felt he did that on purpose.

Given what a mess Witherspoon was on any given fight, I'd take Moorer by stoppage.

 

this by far

 

Has there ever been a boxer so unfazed about losing a world title as Witherspoon after Smith beat him?

 

I'd go w/ Moorer in the upset of sorts.

This is a fight Tim does not bother to get 100% for. And he had so few 100% in his career anyway, it'd be hard to believe he gets himself razor sharp for this guy.

I think a southpaw is all wrong for Spoon. He wouldn't train properly to be facing one and would get in the ring and try figuring things out as rounds go by. Those MM combos and accuracy would score the points & Tim does not solve the guy and drops a decision.

 

I disagree. Tim generally performed well in his bigger fights against names opponents. It was the STEPPING stone bouts to bigger fights where he usually choked, I.e. Smith before Tyson or Martin before Moorer. He gave Larry Holmes fits with only 15 pro bouts and beat tony tubbs and Greg page when the prospect of winning a title was there.

 

Tim was a better heavyweight. Problem is, which Tim would show up. If he is prepared, this is a no-brainer.

 

How'd he do in the Thomas fight? What took so long to solve Bruno? The only guy he ever looked real good for was Tillis. And he got the rare early ko. Everything else was a long bout.

Then again, I must not hold him in the same regards for his finishing abilities or his rise to the occasion skills. Guys like Page and Tubbs and so on are beatable afterall. And it wasn't as if we ever got a tko5 type result against those kinds of guys either. Tillis. That's it.

I think the odds on Tim being 100% for a guy like Moorer--who he would perceive to be a non threat--are remote as an early ko for either guy.

 

- Spoon wasn't out of shape for the Thomas fight. That was actually a highly tactical bout in which he got out pointed by a guy who had his number.

- so what about Bruno? Now all of a sudden a come from behind win against a prime top contender in excellent shape is being used against him. Moorer almost got knocked out by Bert cooper. You sure he'd beat Bruno ?

- again I say so what ? Your point about him showing up in poor form against top men is debunked by the fact that he beat two world champions, a handful of ranked contenders and gave an ATG fits when he had only 15 pro fights.. Who did moorer look impressive against again ? Was it Everett Martin who decked him? Bert cooper who dropped him twice and very nearly had him out? Or maybe the health ailing Holyfield who still managed to drop him and utterly destroy him in the rematch when he was better prepared ? Axel Schultz perhaps?? Oh wait I got it... It must be his performance against a 45 year old foreman who was off for over a year and in his last two fights lost to Morrison and got bloodied up by Alex Stewart.

- I seriously doubt it given that if they had fought in 1992, moorer would have been likely favored by that point.