Quote Originally Posted by Lyle View Post
Quote Originally Posted by hitmandonny View Post
We all know Joe is superman in your eyes Lyle

But if you look into that competition list a little closer it's not that hot.
Max Baer was a killer puncher, but he was a clown and an inconsistent trainer.
Jim Braddock was a mediocre at best fighter, an over achiever and not even a natural heavyweight.
Joe Walcott I'll give you....The Bomber beat him in his prime.
Ezzard Charles was also great, but a light heavy naturally and suffered severe health problems.
Max Schmeling exposed Louis' defensive shortcomings in their first fight.
Rocky fought an old Joe and administered a savage beating.
Billy Conn was a Light Heavy and Jack Sharkey is hardly a Mike Tyson.
And Evander Holyfield lost to Michael Moorer one of the weakest heavyweight champions of all-time. Evander also lost to flash in the pan Riddick Bowe TWICE and was KO'd by him. Evander also got schooled by Chris Byrd, James Toney, and Larry Donald!

Joe Louis lost 3 times and was KO'd twice...Evander has lost 10 times vs MUCH weaker opposition.
Moorer....indeed only a mediocre champion.
However, with the evolution of the heavyweight division (size,) any fighter should have the ability to KO another.
I believe this applies to Holyfield.
Louis, a much smaller man than Holyfield could not possibly defend a title 25 times against such large men without some setbacks.

As for Bowe, I cannot deem him a "flash in the pan." He had the potential to be a great fighter and blew it. I could see him compared to Max Baer in that sense, although Baer certainly didn't neglect his body the way Bowe did.