BoxRec

The destinies of the boxing world have been altered by the
fistic Gods.

It is 1986. The HW scene is in turmoil, Holmes has been dethroned
Spinks is sitting high on his new throne.

Tim Witherspoon has just beaten Tony Tubbs and has a fight with
Frank Bruno later in the year.

Tony Tucker has been working his way through the ranks of near
contenders and journeymen. Having just beaten Eddie Richardson
he is looking in top form.

12 rounds.

Tim Witherspoon (229lbs, 24-2) Vs Tony Tucker (220lbs, 31-0)

How do you guys see this one playing out....

in my opinion witherspoon was the more giffeted heavyweight but tucker was the more consistant, it would all dipend on which witherspoon turned up but i have a feeling that tucker would play a strong counter punch game which would fustrate witherspoon into making wild lunges or rushes or just not try as hard i say

tony tucker Wpts15

I always enjoy watching Witherspoon --- very capable & dangerous foe, when properly-motivated. Tucker was a much more quiet, but consistent adversary. He didn't make the big noise an on-song Witherspoon did, but he did his thing effectively --- not unlike a lesser version of the always-undersold Winky Wright. I think, more often than Witherspoon, Tucker would produce his best game. For me, Tucker's A-game was better than Witherspoon's more frequently-appearing B or C-game, so Tucker's my tip.

If both come to party, well, you've got a swing-battle on your hands in which I just might take the Terrible one to turn the trick.

Tim did more in his career than Tony ever did.If Tony had reached his potential, than he decisions Tim over 12.But Tim would beat Tony by a flat-out dominant unanimous decision over 12.

Tucker consistent? Anyone see his performance vs Broad? Tucker has the more consistent record b/c he didn't fight nearly as many top fighters as Witherspoon, but a HW version of Winky Wright he was far from. Neither man fulfilled the potential of their athletic talents but I like the more experienced, more defensively sound, and harder punching Witherspoon to win a decision.

Nile4000 wrote:Tim did more in his career than Tony ever did.If Tony had reached his potential, than he decisions Tim over 12.But Tim would beat Tony by a flat-out dominant unanimous decision over 12.

- What, did Spoon waste more of his career than did Tucker?

Sure looks like it. Tucker has the superior numerical record, 58-7, 48 KO to 55-13-1, 38 KO. The only guys who beat Tucker until he was well past it was the undefeated best heavy of the 80s, Tyson, and the undefeated best heavy of the 90s, Lewis. He gave them both plenty of problems, even having Lewis in some serious trouble in spite of being in his last days as a contender.

Moreover, Tucker beat the two future world champs who would go on to be the first to dethrone Tyson and Lewis. Spoon lost to inferior fighters at his best, though one have to give him props for taking it to Holmes very early in his career and beating him in many eyes. Getting a crack at the padded out record of Holmes not a luxury most of the era champs were accorded.

9 out of 10 go to Tucker. He's bigger, faster, better footwork and power, better jab, more consistent. It would be a good scrap if Tim showed up in shape and motivated.

For all that's been said about Witherspoons inconsistency, he did at least stay active while he was near his best.
I don't know why Tucker took a couple of years out after the Tyson fight (and I would welcome enlightenment, if it's forthcoming), but it's unfortunate considering he gave Tyson a good argument, and remember it was a big deal for Tyson to even get hit cleanly at that point.
Witherspoon taking Holmes to the wire, and the two 'titles' add up to more than a decent showing against Tyson, if you look at the top end of both guys performances, BUT the broken hand always niggles at the back of my mind.
If we are going to pinpoint 1986, we have to assume that Witherspoon comes in at somewhere near 230, as in Bruno and Bonecrusher, and I think that he would not be sharp enough, Tucker takes a close ud. (and that's not taking into account the fact that Tim was probably more unfocused at that point in his career than any other).
Definately two of the better heavyweights of the 80's, i think Witherspoon should have accomplished more, at least a crack at Tyson - but he has only himself to blame.
Not sure why Tucker dropped out after the Tyson fight, but it's a shame he wasn't more active in that period.

witherspoon wrote:For all that's been said about Witherspoons inconsistency, he did at least stay active while he was near his best.
I don't know why Tucker took a couple of years out after the Tyson fight (and I would welcome enlightenment, if it's forthcoming), but it's unfortunate considering he gave Tyson a good argument, and remember it was a big deal for Tyson to even get hit cleanly at that point.
Witherspoon taking Holmes to the wire, and the two 'titles' add up to more than a decent showing against Tyson, if you look at the top end of both guys performances, BUT the broken hand always niggles at the back of my mind..

- To the point of 86, Spoon has better experience due to the Holmes challenge which I feel he edged cleanly. However, Tucker was advancing rapidly after an early set back in 82 that sees him having to go over a year without a fight due to leg injury, and then reset.

That was a well motivated in shape Douglas he KOs in 87 in spite of the inane criticism that Buster quit after a grueling chess match that sees Tucker step it up the last two rounds and land clean hard shots on Buster that puts him all over the ring.

Tucker took off time after Tyson because of the broken hand, but also due to his manager/trainer father making off with the proceeds from that fight. I've no doubt that King pulled out the ol' cash in a handbag shortchange scam that he used on Ali and the old man lost control over himself and ran off. It was a major breach of trust as you can imagine and left Tucker in the fragile condition of having King look after his future.