Beause of Cuba's system he was never allowed to turn professional. He absoluately dominated the heavyweight division of amateur boxing for over a decade, winning gold medals at almost every single major tournament several times. A 3-time olmypic gold medalist, a 7-time world amateur championships gold medalist, a 4-time world cup gold medalist, and 7time america games gold medalist. He just completely took the entire amateur heavyweight scene for ransom until he retired and nobody could compete with him.
How great could he have been if he was allowed to turn pro, could he have competed with Tyson, Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield as his prime was the same era as theirs??:boxing:
http://www.ibhof.com/pages/archives/stevenson.jpg
Also stylewise Ali loses to ALOT of heavyweights not least Lewis & Klitschko, quite possibly would've lost to a prime tyson(based on floyd pattersons success) ETC
:rofl:
card pulled.
cuban and russian amateurs used to fight throughout their adulthood. americans, etc, fought in the amateurs as kids.
you should all know what a massive advantage that is, particularly at HW, where power and size rule.
did cubans have a ton of talent? sure.
were they skilled boxers? absolutely
is muhammad ali still going to be favored over any HW who ever lived in a pro boxing match?
yes. of course.
Also stylewise Ali loses to ALOT of heavyweights not least Lewis & Klitschko, quite possibly would've lost to a prime tyson(based on floyd pattersons success) ETC
cuban and russian amateurs used to fight throughout their adulthood. americans, etc, fought in the amateurs as kids.
you should all know what a massive advantage that is, particularly at HW, where power and size rule.
did cubans have a ton of talent? sure.
were they skilled boxers? absolutely
is muhammad ali still going to be favored over any HW who ever lived in a pro boxing match?
yes. of course.
Savon is easily the greatest amateur fighter in history. He was far skilled than Lara, Gamboa, Odlanier etc and they've all successfully made the transition to the pro's
cuban and russian amateurs used to fight throughout their adulthood. americans, etc, fought in the amateurs as kids.
you should all know what a massive advantage that is, particularly at HW, where power and size rule.
did cubans have a ton of talent? sure.
were they skilled boxers? absolutely
is muhammad ali still going to be favored over any HW who ever lived in a pro boxing match?
yes. of course.
He was bone rail thin at 201 pounds. How big could he have been not cutting weight to make 201 pounds. Also would he have taken his power up with him to heavyweight. I know Vitali Klitschko did carry his power up as he was a 200 pound kick boxer. Who knows, also that photo is Teo Stevenson.
:lol1: :lol1:
He was bone rail thin at 201 pounds. How big could he have been not cutting weight to make 201 pounds. Also would he have taken his power up with him to heavyweight. I know Vitali Klitschko did carry his power up as he was a 200 pound kick boxer. Who knows, also that photo is Teo Stevenson.