Would a Motivated In Shape Buster ?

Yes because of his size and boxing ability. He had a good jab and threw combinations for a big man, something you dont see too often. We saw flashes of motivation from Buster but only consistently in a couple of fights.
A well conditioned determined Douglas would easily be champion today.

 

He would be a top contender. Vitali and Wlad would beat thim. A few others have also the tools to do so like Chambers or Povetkin.

 

That's a bit like asking ''If George Chuvalo were 6'8 and fast...?" Because Buster staying motivated and in great shape long enough to rip through all the contenders of any era is about as possible as Chuvalo becoming a speedy Super Heavyweight. He might kick Povetkin's butt, then gain forty pounds and fall apart against Chambers, etc. He definitely could beat any one of these guys on any one good day, but he wasn't capable of stringing those good days together as good as he was at his best. In those flashes.

 

The Buster Douglas that ripped through Tyson was among the most fundamentally sound heavyweights in recent memory. His size and hand speed were all the supplements and enhancers he needed.

I see no current HW who he wouldn't outpoint and I suspect that he would give both Klitschkos a boxing lesson.

However, Boxed Ears cynicism is well-noted.

 

I think he'd of made mince meat of both Klits and Haye.
Collosal waste of talent.

 

we all know tyson had his demons...but **** a lot of guys brought their a game against him. hell, tillis looked as good against him as he had in quite some time. tyson brought that out of people i suppose. the buster that fought tyson looked damn good. yeah tyson's head may have been elsewhere as has been documented, buster deserves credit for bringing it. he looked great.

that buster would def be a top contender today.

and yes, boxed ears brings up very valid points as well

 

Buster, when focused and in shape, certainly the fighter that beat Tyson would be a lot to handle for all of todays heavies. He flashes bits of a prime Larry Holmes with the jab and right hand, but the way he let himself go after that performance in Tokyo was disgraceful. I was very dissapointed after the Holyfield fight.

 

I don't think anyone really knew for sure how good or bad Douglas was, because of the simple fact that even when he was up for his best fights, his opponents weren't... Berbick was past prime, McCall was a developing nobody, Page was getting beat by everybody and their brother, and Tyson didn't show up to fight..... Therefore, I don't necessarily know if any or all of these fights reflect any sort of gifted ability, or just decent performances put on by a slightly above average fighter against half-abled opponents.

To answer the question, I might make him a top tier contender, or perhaps even a fragment titlist in today's era, but I would not favor him to beat the top teir... Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, Eddie Chambers and David Haye would all have my vote to beat him in one way or another....

 

Joke thread. Same could be said about Andrew Golota.

 

True to some extent I suppose... In the world of boxing, there are a lot of " coulda beens, " and probably even more so than in other sports.. But Frankly, I'm not even so sure that Douglas had all this potential that some are awarding him.. A bit too much speculation is placed on the Tyson win in my opinion.

 

Maybe, but I wouldn't pick those guys to beat the top tier of the division.. If trouble is all we're talking about, then I suppose there could be an argument.. I'm not sure how many rounds Buster would win against either Vitali or Wlad, and with his track record of folding under pressure, he might not last to see the score cards.. A similar case could be made for Golata.

 

I agree. The Tyson win makes Buster extremely hard to evaluate and quite the enigma. Pretty much a one of a kind situation.