What weight do you need to be to beat a top super heavyweight with skills?

The examples of someone 190-210 pounds beating someone 235+ pounds or larger ranked in the top 10 are narrow.

Dempsey over an older and inactive Willard. Carrera vs whomever you pick, and Louis vs. a big, but not very skilled Abe Simon or Buddy Baer.

I think it's a given that none of the above big guys were very skilled, and in some cases were in bad shape for these match ups. ( Willard, Carrera on the slide, or Simon who was forced to retire younger )

So one can say that a fighter from 190-210 pounds has never beaten a modern skilled super heavyweight in Bowe's, Lewis', or Wlad's class.

If you think Willard, Simon, Carnera, or B. Bear are better than the larger skilled heavyweights of today, just so say and that portion of the conversation can be moved to a new thread.

I'm not saying someone 190-210 pounds would not have the puncher's chance, but they are giving up a lot of weight. Over 40-60 pounds in most cases. And they never beat a skilled super heavyweight. So its a not proven, and taller and heavier order for them.

But what are the examples of guys 217-238 pound heavyweights, beating big skilled, taller and heavier super heavyweight? I think this is uncovered ground in these parts.

Let's examine some recent history.

1 ) Holyfield at 217 pounds via decision over Bowe 246 pounds. And Holyfield was even smaller and lighter than Jeffries was in general.

2 ) Oliver McCall at 231 pounds TKO over Lennox Lewis ( 238 pounds ) in 2 rounds.

3 ) Hasim Rahman at 238 pounds KO over Lennox Lewis ( 253 pounds )

4 ) Corrie Sanders at 225 pounds over Wlad Klitschko KO 2 ( 242 pounds )

5 ) Lamon Brewster 226 pounds over Wlad Klitschko ( 243 pounds ).

Some quick conclusions.

1 ) In all cases, the shorter man and lighter scored an upset.

2 ) Almost all of the wins are by knockout.

So it is proven someone from 217-238 pounds can beat a larger skilled super heavyweight who is or will be in the hall of fame by giving up as much as 29 pounds if he can either punch hard, or has top end durability to weather the early storm. A KO win is mostly likely path to victory for the smaller man. A decision win for the lighter / shorter man is less likely.

Feedback and debate is welcome!

 

**** With a major injury anything is possible **** and Vitali was in the lead while hurt. I knew someone would mention this, but really who uses a match with a major injury to prove any sort of conclusion?

 

Okay, which man at 200 lbs ever beat a super heavyweight with skills on Bowe, Lewis or Klitschko's class?

Where are the 190-210 top contender today at heavyweight?

You will be at zero for your examples.

 

Good catch, edited and fixed!

Are my examples given fair and historically accurate?