Transplant a champ. For instance, how do you think Lewis/Tyson, Holy would go if you transplanted them to Ali's era, or vice-versa? Lewis challenges Liston in 64-Does he win?, & if so, how does he go against the same opposition that Ali faced subsequently. Does his reign end against Frazier in 71? Does he lose earlier? Later?-Against who? How does Ali go, when he fights Berbick for the title.? Does he win?, & if so, how does he go against the same opposition that Tyson faced subsequently. I think u get the idea. Obviously in the cases of Ali & Tyson, they both have breaks in their respective careers for different reasons. Factor those in too.
There are some great fighters that you'd like to see in certain eras just to "clean up" sort of like Tyson did in the 80's. But i think (or hope) you're asking what fighters transplanted into different eras would be the most interesting because of the matchups involved. A few off the top of my head: Ray Robinson in the 80's welterweight era. Duran, Leonard, Benitez, Hearns ... All completely different styles and interesting matchups. The 90's as well. De La Hoya, Trinidad, Whitaker, Quartey ... Willie Pep matching skills and will in the somewhat recent featherweight era of Pacquaio, Morales, Barrera, Marquez ...
dsimon writes: I predict this thread degenerates into a old school versus Klitschko is god screed with Jawz and Ugo at the helm. Because of the obvious evolution of human beings and how much smarter they are now Klitchko would beat any heavy up. So would a guy like the black rhinoplasty who would defeat Louis with ease! :atu::atu:
I would favor Klitschko over a lot of old heavyweights. I don't think he'd fair very well against the best the 70's had to offer though. I will say this though, Wlad would be somebody who would be on top of my list of fighters i'd like to see in transplanting eras win or lose.
I don't like Calzaghe, so let's transplant him to the late 70s/early 80s and he never becomes champ at light-heavyweight.
If you could magically have every great HW in their prime fight in a tournament tomorrow, Lennox Lewis walks away unscathed and the champ. If you ran the tournament 100 times, Lennox wins 95 out of 100. Other weight classes can be debated, but HW is clear.
I could not disagree more trpl you are talking abotu a guy who got STARTCHED by Rahman.. and went a BRUTALLY close 12 with Zeljin macrovision!!
Well, remember when I say 'in their prime' that also means in top form. Lewis in top form drilled Rahman with ease. Like I said, Lewis would drop 5 out of 100. That should be about right.
This isn't so much about prime matchups. It's about how a champ from one era would go if they were transplanted into another champs exact circumstances, starting with their shot @ the title, & subsequently, following the same career path. The ages may change. Basically, instead of Tyson challenging Berbick, he challenges Liston. Instead of Ali challenging Liston, he challenges Berbick, etc.
Instead of Aaron Pryor being prime in the early 80's, make his prime in the late 80's early 90's, so that he coulda fought Chavez and Taylor. I think he would have beaten both of them, but they would have been great fights. Also put Pryor in his prime today, so he could wipe his ass with Hatton. Put a prime lightweight Duran at 135 today. He'd have cleaned up everybody, and I guarantee you Pacman would stay his ass at 130 if Duran was around. Also just for shits and giggles, match a prime Duran with Juan Diaz.:crafty::: Put Miguel Cotto in the early 80's era of welterweights. Leonard, Hearns, and Duran would have all pissed on Cotto.
Oscar against the 80s would have been interesting. Him against Leonard would have been an awesome battle even though I don't see him winning but it woul have been by far the richest fight ever outside heavyweights. DLH would have clowned Duran that's for sure
The Duran that beat Palimino, and Leonard would have ran DLH out the fuckin ring! The only top guys from that era that Oscar would have beaten are Palimino, and Cuevas. He loses to Leonard, Hearns, Duran, and a motivated Benitez. I agree Leonard-DLH would have been a mega fight though, and Ray would have shown that he was a full level above DLH in every way possible.
Tito KO's Duran, Leonard, Hagler, and Hearns in a Friday Night Round Robin. NO contest. Put a heavyweight Roy vs. Tyson in his prime. We'd still be gluing Roy together. Cupey
Tito vs Duran, Leonard, Hagler, and Hearns = 4 fights where Don Felix has to jump in the ring to save his son.
well.. Rahman was not prepared.. But.. in the first fight.. Manny said Lemmon never looked better adn it was good he took a break to shoot the movie.. he said he was in top form and then little Lemmon Loser got STRETCHED
