Heavyweight upsets: alternative opponents

[Boxing Writer]

Buster Douglas, Hasim Rahman and Corrie Sanders were all not mandatory challengers when they scored upsets over Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko respectively.

Would anlternative opponents score upsets over Tyson, Lewis and Klitschko on that exact night?

Mike Tyson's another option for February 1990 fight in Japan was a rematch with Jose Ribalta. Would Ribalta have a chance to upset Mike? I don't think so. Douglas was much better, much more talented fight. He was an elite talent while Ribalta wasn't even top-10 fighter at his very peak.

Lennox Lewis' options for April 2001 other than Hasim Rahman were David Izon, Kirk Johnson and Larry Donald. Feather-fisted Donald wouldn't be able to KO Lennox - so no chance of upset there. David Izon had good power, but I think Rahman had better jab and better timing. In-shape Kirk Johnson was very talented and explosive fighter, but his best punch was a left hook, his right hand lacked timing, and Lewis was more vulnerable to the right hand punches. Plus I think Kirk would be scared to death against Lennox and probably grossly overweight as well. So I don't think either of them would be able to do what Rahman did in Africa even against ufocused Lennox.

Klitschko's promoter Kohl was considering a lot of options for his March 2003 fight. They included Danny Williams, Fres Oquendo, Lou Savarese and Kirk Johnson. Corrie Sanders was choosen as an opponent though and it turned out to be a disaster for Wlad. None of the others were as fast, explosive and unorthodox fighters as Sanders was. So I don't think they would be able to replicate whatt Sanders did even against pre-Steward version of Wlad.

All in all I can say that Douglas, Rahman and Sanders deservve all the credit for their wins, because no matter how unfocused or underprepared Tyson, Lewis and Klitschko were, very few fighters could upset them on that nights.

[gregor]

(...) Danny Williams, Fres Oquendo, Lou Savarese and Kirk Johnson. None of the others were as fast, explosive and unorthodox fighters as Sanders was. So I don't think they would be able to replicate whatt Sanders did even against pre-Steward version of Wlad.

Brewster was neither "fast, explosive and unorthodox" fighter and he still replicated the upset next year. I think Danny Williams could upset Wlad similarly.

[Boxing Writer]

(...) Danny Williams, Fres Oquendo, Lou Savarese and Kirk Johnson. None of the others were as fast, explosive and unorthodox fighters as Sanders was. So I don't think they would be able to replicate whatt Sanders did even against pre-Steward version of Wlad.

Brewster was neither "fast, explosive and unorthodox" fighter and he still replicated the upset next year. I think Danny Williams could upset Wlad similarly.

Wlad's confidence was shattered after Sanders fight. And Williams didn't have Brewster's chin.

[Ambling Alp II]

No way Tyson would have lost Ribalta.

Lewis was for whatever reason lethargic against Rahman for most of the fight. I actually Donald was capable of outpointing him that night. Izon was simply not that good so Lewis probably could have beat him. If Johnson was in shape and focused (big ifs) he conceivably could have won.

Steward was Klitschko's trainer for the Brewster fight, yet he got stopped. A decent puncher would always have a good chance against him. Doubtful that Williams, Oquendo, Savarese or Johnson could get it done.

[East End]

No way Tyson would have lost Ribalta.

Lewis was for whatever reason lethargic against Rahman for most of the fight. I actually Donald was capable of outpointing him that night. Izon was simply not that good so Lewis probably could have beat him. If Johnson was in shape and focused (big ifs) he conceivably could have won.

Steward was Klitschko's trainer for the Brewster fight, yet he got stopped. A decent puncher would always have a good chance against him. Doubtful that Williams, Oquendo, Savarese or Johnson could get it done.

Lewis spent way too much time shooting scenes for Oceans 11 and didn't give himself anything like enough time to acclimatise in Johannesburg, which is over a mile above sea level

[Bodyshot3]

Lewis spent way too much time shooting scenes for Oceans 11 and didn't give himself anything like enough time to acclimatise in Johannesburg, which is over a mile above sea level

Good call East End.......Lewis took his eye right off the ball.
I am fairly sure that Rahman also did the smart thing by landing much earlier in SA and buried himself in a Jo'burg gym.

Fighting on the high veld - or playing rugby - is not something you can cut corners with.