Agreed. That's precisely how I see it. If you're in any doubt, just watch any Chavez fight from 87-93. His opponents took horrible beatdowns. Edit my previous post: Pryor-Arguello was no beatdown. Far too competitive.
The answer is Fraizer vs Foreman but one to throw in that happened in recent years is Roman Gonzalez vs Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
Carlos Monzon beat up Jose Napoles pretty badly, although to be fair Napoles was way out of his element and above his best weight class.
George Foreman TKO 2 of defending champion Joe Frazier, Jan 22 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica. I won $ 10.00 that night.
it's a shame it's tainted by the Panama Lewis involvement. In fairness, I don't think it would have changed too much. Pryor was unstoppable and Arguello was reaching a tiny bit too far. What I love about the fight was the perfect meshing of the styles. Arguello, classic, poised, economical - his 'arms were painting strokes on the ring canvas' as High McIlvanney said. Pryor was all hyper activity and action, as twitchy as Alexis was poised. They were made for each other. Two nice guys as well. Aaron had his issues but his heart was in the right place. Did some amazing work after boxing to help others.
The problem is mate after what we see Panama Lewis, was willing to do in the Resto/Collins fight. The Pryor/Arguello 1 fight for me will always be tainted unfortunately. I think it was the 13th round ? Where Arguello landed a right hand on Pryor, that would of knocked out an elephant and the punch didn't even faze Pryor one bit, Arguello was actually coming on in 13th round, then Pryor drinks from the "Bottle" comes out for 14th round full of energy and stops Arguello. The whole thing just stinks to me, so I can't fully give Pryor credit for the fight. Especially when we know what Panama Lewis is capable of.
Schmeling ove Louis. Ali's first fight with Liston, and his Foreman fight are both in the conversation. Leonard over Hearns. JMM's KO of Pac. Bivol's destruction of Canelo,
Jake LaMotta, if he’s considered an ATG, took a heck of a beatdown on St. Valentine’s Day from maybe THE ATG, Ray Robinson. Methodical beating turned savage.