Battle Of The Sliding Greats...

[Goodnight, Irene]

This is an unusual concept, in which fighters are pitted against one another when they are neither at their peak, or washed-up...just either out-of-sorts, or past their prime, but not by a whole lot (just an appreciable amount). Feel free to add your own. Here's a few...

George Foreman (1977) vs. Evander Holyfield (1994). 12 Rounds.

Oscar De La Hoya (2003) vs. Felix Trinidad (2002). 12 Rounds.

Muhammad Ali (1972) vs. Larry Holmes (1983). 15 Rounds.

I'm guessing Foreman, TKO5, De La Hoya, UD12, & Holmes, SD15. Thoughts?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Holyfield by late stoppage, George didn't have enough gas in the tank at this point.

Trinidad by KO, Oscar didn't have the movement to get away.

Agreed on the third one, I think Larry vs Ali is pretty much a pick um at any point.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

How about Hearns from the Virgil hill fight vs Jones from the first Tarver fight?

[dempseyfire]

Foreman TKO7 (unlike some I think George actually improved skill-wise under Clancy post-Zaire . . .people just see that his biggest wins were pre-Zaire and say he lost a step. Young style-wise would have ALWAYS been a problem for Foreman. I think the best George ever looked was the Frazier rematch.

Oscar by MD

Ali UD . . . .Ali had more in the tank at that point than Larry did.

Here are a few more

Joe Louis 1951 vs Sonny Liston 1969

Pernell Whitaker 1998 vs Meldrick Taylor 1991

Bernard Hopkins 2008 vs Marvin Hagler 1986

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

Muhammad Ali (1972) vs. Larry Holmes (1983). 15 Rounds.[/b]

- Ali had his best year in boxing in 1972, beating Mac Foster, Quarry, Chuvalo, Lewis, Patterson, and Bob Foster, 6-0, 4 KOs. Ali was a lot like Tyson in that he needed to stay busy to stay in shape and keep that marvelous physical talent in proper tune.

Your choice was a poor selection since Ali was probably at his peak as a fighter with regards to the physical and mental aspects of the business combining to produce best ring performances. At least as good if not better than much overrated 1967.

Larry was never more than a poor man's sow's ear purse compared to silky Ali. Ali all day every day and thrice on Sundays.

Foreman always knocks out Mr. Field in any straight on encounter. Ol' George almost turned the trick and had him hanging on for dear life by the end.

Oscar over Tito. Terrible style match up for Tito who was no good at dealing with boxers of that caliber unless he was in the pink and they on the downside.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Foreman TKO7 (unlike some I think George actually improved skill-wise under Clancy post-Zaire . . .people just see that his biggest wins were pre-Zaire and say he lost a step. Young style-wise would have ALWAYS been a problem for Foreman. I think the best George ever looked was the Frazier rematch.

Oscar by MD

Ali UD . . . .Ali had more in the tank at that point than Larry did.

Here are a few more

Joe Louis 1951 vs Sonny Liston 1969

Pernell Whitaker 1998 vs Meldrick Taylor 1991

Bernard Hopkins 2008 vs Marvin Hagler 1986

Those fighters were thoroughly washed-up at those times. The idea is to catch them when they were on the slide, but not, say, a 1951 Joe Louis or 1998 Pernell Whitaker, each of whom had nothing left.

[Tantum]

Rocky Marciano 1960 vs James J Jeffries 1909

No training camps.

[Tantum]

Last one was an obvious joke, feel free to respond, though!

Joe Louis 1946 vs Mike Tyson 1995

[Goodnight, Irene]

Last one was an obvious joke, feel free to respond, though!

Joe Louis 1946 vs Mike Tyson 1995

Intriguing. Tyson had the punch, & so did Louis at this stage. Only one retained his desire & ring-focus, though, as each showed a clear dip in speed & co-ordination. Louis frustrates Tyson with the jab, evades the (at the time) growing habit Tyson had developed of winging single shots, & takes him out in nine.

[Goodnight, Irene]

"Foreman TKO7 (unlike some I think George actually improved skill-wise under Clancy post-Zaire . . .people just see that his biggest wins were pre-Zaire and say he lost a step. Young style-wise would have ALWAYS been a problem for Foreman. I think the best George ever looked was the Frazier rematch..." - DF

Ever-so-rare you & I butt heads, Demps, but this has to be one such occasion. There was nothing wrong with Foreman's skill-set or finishing ability post-Zaire, but the hunger was gone.

How long does the 1976 Frazier last in there with the Foreman of the first fight? Not five minutes, let alone five rounds. It ain't just that George's biggest results came before Ali. The fire in the belly was gone, IMO.

[dempseyfire]

I don't see the hunger gone at all. Foreman was completly pissed off about Zaire, and basically wanted Ali's head on a post. He took out his frustration on his opponents (and some of his girlfriends according to his autobiography) and it showed. This was pretty much the apex of him being the 'villain' . .he was a very angry young man with a huge chip on his shoulder.

The 76 Frazier fought a complety different fight than in 73 . . .much more movement and defense. I definitely think he lasts as long as he did with any Foreman from the 1970s.

[The Great John L]

...(unlike some I think George actually improved skill-wise under Clancy post-Zaire . . .

Agreed.

[Collins2000]

...(unlike some I think George actually improved skill-wise under Clancy post-Zaire . . .

Agreed.

x3

[Robinson]

And I think the Foreman into the comeback trail was an even better
schooled ringsman.

[I Feel Fine]

Not only does '72 fighter of the year Ali beat '83 Holmes, but '75 fighter of the year Ali also beats '83 Holmes. Holmes is Kobe Bryant to Ali's Jordan.
Foreman beats Holyfield all day. Oscar at 154 beats Tito, Tito at 160 beats Oscar.
Dempsey... '86 Hagler '08 Hopkins is a good one... I suppose I lean towards Hagler. Tough one, good fight.