Quote Originally Posted by mikeeod View Post
Since we r doing "who wins?" threads, who do u think would've won this match up? Both were undefeated champs gunning for Oscar. Tito was a slow starter who was chinny early but would come on strong late and had one punch power that hadn't been seen at the weight since Tommy Hearns (Tito had a left hook where Tommy was a better boxer with a deadly right). Ike was a beast at 147 who looked like a middleweight, had a great jab n raw strength, could take a punch, but tended to fade late in tough fights. I think this would've been the fight everyone hoped both guys' fights vs Oscar would've been, but I think Ike's jab would've allowed him to get the close, disputed decision.
Shame this didn't happen but Tito went to 154. It was always a fight I wanted back then but the calenders didn't jive. Tito's bad chin is a little stretched. He never had a bad chin but he would get caught out of position or off balance when he went down and I dont recall him being hurt anytime he hit the canvas. He would normally get up and then dust off the opponent. I agree with you, Ikes jab was something else and a real fight controller. I think it could be the difference in the fight but Ike could be dragged into a war he didn't need to fight.

Great hypothetical matchup that actually could have been made.