Based on how highly this forum thinks of him pretty much anyone who was ever Heavyweight Champion before him
The Vitali cognitive dissonance: -Assume Vitali would easily tear through the resume of previous HW champs such as Louis, Rocky, etc because he was a big, skilled, super heavyweight and the opponents were not particularly great. -Acknowledge Vitali's resume was not particularly great, but give him points for being dominant. -Dispute and disagree with the notion that other skilled super heavyweights could tear through the resume of Vitali.
You are welcome man! How did you find your way here? I did not know that Toney only used PEDs for healing-I would like to see sources to see if you are correct. I recall a Sports Illustrated story where he threatened people with a gun in the gym, at least I do not believe he would have scruples about using. Either way it is not necessary for my case, but I wonder. Vitali had his brush with PEDs too, but was naturally huge. If he really held his own with sparring against Vitali, *and* it was a real contest as opposed to the working things out practices that are the usual, that would give me pause. But you must know that Ruiz was a skille spoiler, not on the level of a Champion, nor similar to Vitali stylistically. And Holyfield was a ghost of what he was before...Days short of 41, he had won 1 of his last 4, & after the next fight after losing to Toney lost to Larry Donald. He ha a shoulder injury, it is quite unlikely Toney would have a chance when both prime. OK I overstated things for effect...But whatever you factor in, it seems that toney would have less than a 1 in 10 chance to beat Vitali. Who always came in very fit. Who dwarfed him & was way stronger. Who for a HW was a high volume puncher, cery unlike Toney. Who had an iron chin. Do you think that barring a freak injury-which happened very seldom in his whole fighting career-the pros being a fraction of his amateur & knickboxing career-Toney would have a realtsic shot?
I would comfortably favor Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes to beat him. Joe Louis would have a good chance if he gets a chance to work in close and lands his combinations to the head and body. Tyson Fury is also a strong possibility. Tyson, Frazier and Marciano are too small I think
Someone that is 250 lbs is not a modern giant. There is no possible way for me to say that any simpler. Claw4075 said that height and weight made Vitali a modern giant. Again, 250 lbs is not a modern giant. 6'7 is tall but Vitali is rather skinny at 250 lbs for his height. Giants aren't skinny. Eddie Hall, Thor, guys competing in worlds strongest man, THOSE could be considered "modern giants". They have a good 100-150+ lbs on Vitali easily. Modern training or not Vitali is skinny for his height. He isn't a huge like a "modern giant" would be. Entirely irrelevent to the conversation. Am I being trolled? Why does there have to be a modern giant? You're operating under the assumption that this is a billet that has to be filled.
I guess it is not as difficult as the title of the thread suggests when Byrd and a faded Lewis get the job done
