Against the the top names of the 1970s? If Witherspoon Had come along a generation earlier and in the mix with Ali, Frazier, George etc, then is he a danger man?
Witherspoon has an amazing reputation but he was such an up and down fighter, its hard to see him beating elite ATG's. Frazier of the FOTC fight probably has too much stamina and work rate to lose to Witherspoon. Witherspoon has good power and a size advantage and he can make it competitive but Frazier is quicker with more stamina. I would favour peak Frazier to win a competitive decision but Witherspoon could probably beat the post 74 Frazier. Witherspoon had a similar style to Norton albeit with a better chin and a bit more power. But again, Witherspoon never had an especially high work rate. So i can't see him beating the Ali from 71-74. He could probably win a close decision over post 74 Ali but even then Ali would have an advantage in hand speed and Ali also knew how to win even when he was not in great shape. Even a post 74 Ali is a 50-50 fight vs Witherspoon. I can see Witherspoon beating Norton though i wouldn't count Ken out. I can't see Witherspoon beating Foreman because you can't stand infront of Foreman in a crab stance. You have to have a standard high guard with exceptional reflexes, speed and ability to take a big punch like Ali to stand in front of Foreman. I think Foreman stops Witherspoon. Witherspoon likely beats Lyle, Shavers, Quarry, Bugner and Bonavena. Do i think Witherspoon beats the best versions of Ali and Frazier? No because i don't think he had a high enough work rate. And even if he did, Ali and Frazier were remarkably consistent who knew how to clinch victory from the jaws of defeat. Foreman is probably too powerful. Witherspoon likely beats everyone else but again, given his inconsistent career, he is bound to be upset by some of the other quality heavies who were a notch below the elites.
Brilliant post. I've seen some liken Tim to Norton a few times actually. I'm sure he'd give Ali an hard fight too. Foreman v Tim, no it would be a awful fight for spoon I should imagine. Frazier and he would be interesting.
I think that he could've beaten Norton at his best and considering the fact that his drugs of choice were less widespread in the 70s, he'd have a much easier time being consistent and putting his best foot forward. You ask this same question about most 80s heavyweights, and I'd give you that answer. The 70s scene isn't the golden age because every single fighter was a H2H monster, but that most of these guys were clean and were able to put up good fights more often than the 80s guys could. If you moved all of the 80s titlists to fit into the 70s, most of your top 20 would change completely apart from Ali, Foreman, and Frazier. The 70s was very top heavy with those three and Norton. Thomas, Page, Tubbs, Weaver, Tate, Coetzee, Damiani... Most titlists you can name from then would beat Lyle and Young, which would at the very least give em the spot right behind Norton. Fit Holmes wherever you want amongst the top 3 and you can see what I'm talking about. The only top 10ers that would still be around and relevant as "the best in the world" would be the golden trio. I think that Witherspoon loses to the top three guys, but gives each of em hard fights on his way to lose decisions. People like to make the comparison between Tim and Ken and say that Witherspoon would give Ali just as hard of a fight as Norton did, but I don't believe that. Norton had the better workrate, and his style was more particular to get right under Ali's skin. I think that Witherspoon, in being a great defensive fighter with good offensive capabilities as well, and a GREAT chin, would be able to give Foreman tons of issues. George would probably get floored en route to winning a tight decision against Tim.
