Yeah, and the Weaver fight is kind of crazy. Thomas just eats flush shots from Weaver throughout the fight seemingly without caring and then scores a one punch ko off a weird looking punch.
I almost disagreed with you here, but Berbick did beat Thomas. I guess you're right, it's dubious that Thomas would have done much better in MIke's first title bid.
When it came to raw potential he might have been the best of that era. Pinklon had a superb left jab. Power in all his punches. Solid chin. Ability to go the distance if needed. If he were in top form for all of his big fights like he was against Witherspoon his career would have been amazing. But his lifestyle vastly diminished him at an early age.
Another contender for "best jab," good chin, but started late, never really learned the finer points of the sport, and was also a heroin addict who was visibly wasted during some interviews. Pretty much done at the highest level before he got in with Tyson.
Very good? A pro fighter? Not that much to him IMO he was just a decent professional like Norton, Machen, Layne or Firpo ya know? He made it into the history books, can be proud of his career not much else to it.
Nice analysis, it reminded me of a quote from Ray Arcel,,' I'll put a guy with a great jab in with anyone".
Good fighter, some overrate him a bit, but the injuries he suffered before winning the belt might have hurt his development some.