BoxRec

12 or 15 Rounds Heavyweight Bout

Since McCall had an iron chin to endure the 15 rounder, at his best he would outwork Weaver behind his jabs and heavy body punches along with big right hands to either take a decision or stopping Weaver from rounds 8 to 15 rounds. What do you guys think and who do you got?

Wow...this is an incredibly tough fight to call. These guys are very closely matched in every respect.

Scorpio83: I can see where you coming from in pointing to McCall's left-jab, iron chin, upper-body strength, and powerful right hand as the factors enabling him to win. But, it must not be overlooked that Weaver had almost all of the same tools in his arsenal.

In fact, Weaver's left-jab may have been that much better than Oliver's. Mike threw that shot almost like a power punch, and in addition, used it like a bull whip. Mike's left-jab was that much quicker, persistent, and more accurate than McCall's, IMO.

I'm thinking that Weaver might have won this fight on points using his left-jab alone. Check out the films of Weaver's victories over Coetzee and LeDoux to see what I mean. His left-jab even gave Larry Holmes hell in their 1979 title fight, although Weaver ultimately lost.

However, I must admit that Weaver was considerably inferior to McCall in terms of durability. Both had great chins, but Oliver was virtually impossible to hurt. Mike, by contrast, got KO'd numerous times in his career.

Something else working against Weaver was that he was a notoriously slow starter. He was sometimes vulnerable in the first few rounds, and often didn't loosen up and start fighting well until the fourth or fifth. So, there's serious danger here that Oliver might have rushed Weaver and caught him cold.

MY FINAL JUDGEMENT: This one could go either way. 50% chance of either winning. If Weaver wins, it's because he dominates with his left-jab and wins a decision. If Oliver wins, it's because his devastating right hand catches Weaver cold in the early rounds, or because that same shot connects at any other point in the fight and knocks Weaver out.

Thanks for your opinion Joson

Weaver can't stop McCall. I figure Oliver gets to Weaver by round 8'ish.

oogiebe wrote: ↑07 Jan 2024, 21:26 Weaver can't stop McCall. I figure Oliver gets to Weaver by round 8'ish.

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