BoxRec

12 or 15 Rounds Heavyweight Bout

Either Rahman wear Weaver down behind his jabs and right hands before he puts him away in 10 rounds or would Weaver rally into the fight by jabbing more and body punching to take a decision or putting Rahman away with a left hook and right hand from rounds 11 to 14. What do you guys think and who do you got?

I'd take 1981-1983 version of Weaver to stop Rahman late in a 15-rounder.

Interestingly, Weaver got stopped in the 1st round twice in his career. Against Bonecrusher Smith and against Dokes. Was he caught cold? Theoretically, Rahman would have the chance to do the same.

Overall, though, I'd go with Weaver.

My hunch is that the 1980-1983 version of Weaver would beat Rahman. I'm guessing Mike wins by late round stoppage or a close decision.

Weaver would lose most of the first four or five rounds (he was a slow starter) but would take control after that. His fine, strong left-jab and brutal body punching would be factors shaping the fight's outcome.

I do acknowledge this pair is closely enough matched that either could emerge as winner. IMO 60% to 55% chance of Weaver win against 45% to 40% probability of Rahman taking it.

Weaver UD or late stoppage.