The Thomas that beat Witherspoon vs prime Folley and Machen. Would Thomas prevail with his size advantage combined with his skill?
Whoever threw the shorter punches would win or size could play quite a factor, the punches a faded Foley landed on Ali would have easily land on Thomas, there weren`t many landed in that slow burner but Foley was a puncher and Thomas was easily hit so?
I would pick both Folley and Machen to beat Thomas on points. There was a high level of talent from those two.
Thomas was always wide open for right hands with his constant dropping of his jab and his torqued stance. Sharpshooters like Foley and Machen would capitalize on this defensive defect.
Folley isn't knocking out Thomas. I just watched Thomas/Bowe and Bowe tossed everything plus the kitchen sink at a tired, drug addled Thomas and Thomas did not fall. Tyson had to lay into Thomas with combinations to put him away. The only sub 200's that would likely have the power to put Thomas away is a Dempsey or Marciano kind of puncher. And even then it may take an accumulation. Although Folley and Machen would be cruiser's today, I still give them a good chance vs some modern sized heavies like Thomas and think they would prevail on points
