Thread: Fights where the result would have been different if the loser was in their prime

I saw this on another forum so I decided to post it here. Just give examples of fights where the loser would have won if they was in their prime.

Put them into two categories. Examples where theres NO DOUBT that the results woulda been different(example: Ali vs Berbick), and examples where its likely the results woulda been different, but where you could still make a case for the past-primed fighter losing(example: Tyson-Lewis).

I'll add my two cents later.

Well all of RJJ's losses except for the Montel Griffin DQ obviously.

There are so mnay, I don't know where to start

These are just general, not in categories...

Like Ice said - all of RJJ's losses

All of Tyson's losses

Whitaker v ODLH (Whitaker lost that fight only by virture of losing the 12th imo)

Benn v Collins

B-Hop v Calzaghe

Holyfield v Lewis (I think Prime Holyfield could've beaten Lewis - 50/50 fight imo)

A prime hopkins still gets whooped by calzaghe

As already been said anything with RJJ and tyson

I think Larry Holmes would be undefeated aswell, obviously he would still have alot of trouble vs prime Mike Tyson. But i still think he has the right style to beat Mike Tyson.

What about the 60's version of Muhammad Ali in the 70's ? would he have ever of lost ? as much as i don't like him, i actually can't see him being beat by Frazier, Norton, Holmes, Berbick, Spinks.

RJJ V Calzaghe
Hopkins v Calzaghe

Originally Posted by skel1983

RJJ V Calzaghe
Hopkins v Calzaghe

A prime Hopkins would have probably beaten THAT Calzaghe. But prime vs prime its Calzaghe all day for me.

Originally Posted by ryanman

Originally Posted by skel1983

RJJ V Calzaghe
Hopkins v Calzaghe

A prime Hopkins would have probably beaten THAT Calzaghe. But prime vs prime its Calzaghe all day for me.

Very tough call, but I'd lean towards Hopkins, however as I've said before, I think Hopkins was nearer his prime that JC was at that time (strange to say I know) Hopkins best wins have all come past 40, his best performances were Tarver and Pavlik (which sandwiched the JC fight) JC's best nights were v Lacy and Kessler, cracks started to appear after that and I think he was 1 fight away from getting Koed

Originally Posted by ryanman

Originally Posted by skel1983

RJJ V Calzaghe
Hopkins v Calzaghe

A prime Hopkins would have probably beaten THAT Calzaghe. But prime vs prime its Calzaghe all day for me.

A prime Bernard Hopkins had hurtful power, and had very good workrate. He was great in his prime as a boxer/puncher, watch his fight vs Glen Johnson. No way Joe Calzaghe beats that version of Bernard Hopkins IMO.

Originally Posted by BIG H

Originally Posted by ryanman

Originally Posted by skel1983

RJJ V Calzaghe
Hopkins v Calzaghe

A prime Hopkins would have probably beaten THAT Calzaghe. But prime vs prime its Calzaghe all day for me.

Very tough call, but I'd lean towards Hopkins, however as I've said before, I think Hopkins was nearer his prime that JC was at that time (strange to say I know) Hopkins best wins have all come past 40, his best performances were Tarver and Pavlik (which sandwiched the JC fight) JC's best nights were v Lacy and Kessler, cracks started to appear after that and I think he was 1 fight away from getting Koed

I actually think you could make a strong case for that.

Originally Posted by ICB

Originally Posted by ryanman

Originally Posted by skel1983

RJJ V Calzaghe
Hopkins v Calzaghe

A prime Hopkins would have probably beaten THAT Calzaghe. But prime vs prime its Calzaghe all day for me.

A prime Bernard Hopkins had hurtful power, and had very good workrate. He was great in his prime as a boxer/puncher, watch his fight vs Glen Johnson. No way Joe Calzaghe beats that version of Bernard Hopkins IMO.

I see what you're saying Ice. The thing with Calzaghe I think is his physical peak didn't coincide with his 'mental' peak. In terms of mental attributes - strategy, adaptability, response to pressure etc I would say he peaked with Lacy and Kessler. But I would say his physical peak probably came in about 2001-2002 (prior to his more serious hand troubles). If he had kept his original power and combined it with the experience and ring smarts he gained later I can't see any version of B-Hop beating him. I accept its all just conjuncture though.

I think this will be a constant echo...every loss on RJJ record, except the DQ.

I disagree about tyson..

Holmes v Tyson would have been a victory for prime Holmes
sweet pea v oscar
mosley v cotto

all of george foreman's losses except the ali one
all of Ali's losses except the first Frazier fight

that's all for now..

Originally Posted by hattonthehammer

A prime hopkins still gets whooped by calzaghe

As already been said anything with RJJ and tyson

an Old Hopkins didn't get whooped my Calzaghe, much less a prime B-Hop, don't know what fight you watched if you seriously think Calzaghe beat Hopkins, his best offense was the low blow (and yes Hopkins was over dramatic) then followed it up with a bum rush, Calzaghe is the next one to follow Ricky Martin's steps

i bet the cocaine apology is to be followed by the "i can't go on living a lie, i'm a queer"

Leonard vs Camacho
Foreman vs Morrison
Duran vs Pazienza
Michalczewski vs Gonzalez

I'm going to be a bit controversial here:

Mayweather - De La Hoya

I'm not sure if I actually believe ODH would have won, but it would have been a lot more competitive. A SD might even have been a legitimate decision in this fight.