Top 5 Heavyweight Champions in the 1980s

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Rumsfeld, Feb 6, 2023.


  1. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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  2. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Who is ready to suffer for Christ (the truth)? Full Member

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    Nice Video Rummy; congratulations. And you explain boxing to people again. And I agree with the top three places in the 80s:
    1. Mike Tyson
    2. Larry Holmes
    3. Michael Spinks
    Without diminishing the greatness of Larry Holmes, I will state a few facts that make the list correct:
    a.) Larry Holmes didn't begin his reign in the 80s; Mike Tyson did
    b.) Larry Holmes was never the undisputed champion in his career; Mike Tyson did (80s)
    c .) The only defeat in the entire career of Michael Spinks (third on the list) was against Mika Tyson
    d.) Larry Holmes in the 80s lost a fight by knockout (the only time in his career) to Mike Tyson
    e.) Mike Tyson has no losses in the 80's Larry Holmes does
    If I tried I'd probably find some other argument that the #1 spot and the #2 spot are clear in the 80's. No 1a. and 1b. 80s place except bias.
     
  3. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

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    Great video as usual.
    My take is that a prime Holmes beats a prime Tyson. Holmes would not have been intimidated going into the ring, and his jab would keep Tyson off him long enough to eventually uppercut Mike into Bolivian like Doiglas did.
     
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  4. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I do think Mike Weaver is up there aswell, he had a nice little reign and beat fighters like Coetzee, Tate, which were big wins. And I think he was hard done by against Dokes the 2nd time, I thought Weaver deserved the decision in that one. And had he got the decision maybe he might of had an argument for top 5.

    But overall as it stands Tyson, Holmes, Spinks, Witherspoon, Thomas, is pretty spot on for me. And I also rate 4 of them Tyson, Holmes, Witherspoon, Thomas, as top 4 H2H for that era aswell.

    Finally I do think Tyson is number 1 Heavyweight in 80s, for cleaning out division something Holmes didn't do, aswell as unifying the belts and being undefeated during 80s aswell.
     
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  5. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Great one, Rummy. As usual.
     
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  6. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    Tyson definitely deserves to be ranked #1 at heavyweight in the 80's. Followed by Holmes, maybe Spinks, maybe Thomas then Weaver or Spoon.

    Excellent analysis Rummy! Glad you got this one right. It's perfect.
     
  7. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    The jab is all Larry has to keep Mike off him, but Tyson was born and bred to slip the jab. It's in his DNA. And Holmes doesn't have enough firepower to take Tyson out of there.

    Excellent battle, one of history's best, but I'm taking Tyson because he can finish a fight with either hand and is a top shelf finisher. Too much for Holmes to handle for 12-15 rounds of mayhem.
     
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  8. ideafix12

    ideafix12 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    1 Tyson
    2 Holmes
    3 Witherspoon
    4 Weaver
    5 P Thomas
    6 Berbick
     
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  9. Levook

    Levook Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Awesome vid Rummy, very well laid out points that I happen to agree with totally. TY for posting it.
     
  10. Vic The Gambler

    Vic The Gambler Active Member Full Member

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    I enjoyed watching that…it brought back some great memories. And I just about agree with the top 5, with the Top 2 quite a bit ahead of the rest.