Do we really KNOW that Trevor Berbick wouldn't have beaten Prime Ali

[uncle ben]

Everyone says that Berbick only beat Ali in 1981 because Ali was a washed up, has been fighter showing signs of early onset Parkinson disease. Fair enough. But how do we know that Berbick wouldn't have beaten the Ali of 1967? I mean, Berbick was a world champion in his own right. You can't just automatically assume that Berbick loses to a prime Ali when he actually beat him in real life.

[Blond Beast]

You can’t automatically assume anything, that’s why we watch boxing. Nobody knows anything for sure. Thankfully people are allowed to put their money where their mouth is and bet on fights. This only works in the present. But post all your bets/opinions and if you get enough right and beat enough odds then your opinion on any mythical matchup will be something people will want to listen to. You haven’t really formulated any opinion on the potential fight you just posed a philosophical argument. Nobody knows for sure what would happen. I don’t think many are really pondering it though. Would the Tyson that beat Berbick destroy a good version of Ali in the same manner? Could the Holyfied that stopped Tyson… Just nail some predictions on some future fights and then give some analysis on some mythical ones. Just saying there’s no way to know for sure who would potentially win a matchup isn’t really something that’s up for debate.

[HOUDINI563]

Silly. First Berbick was never worlds heavyweight champion. If you think he was find another sport to follow.

Secondly Berbick was a low skilled primitive fighter. One look should tell you he would be destroyed by prime Ali. He beat Ali because he was young and strong fighting a sick old very past prime Ali.

[billeau2]

Silly. First Berbick was never worlds heavyweight champion. If you think he was find another sport to follow.

Secondly Berbick was a low skilled primitive fighter. One look should tell you he would be destroyed by prime Ali. He beat Ali because he was young and strong fighting a sick old very past prime Ali.

There are a few ways Berbick wins it!

1. Ali slips on a banana peel, falling into a metal beam while Bberbick slips in a jab..

2. the Parachute guy from bowe/Holly has an IQ of 220, learns how to time travel, goes back and pulls the same stunt, while sweeping a hysterical Trevor. Who has just put his hands up as Holmes is descending on him from the ring... and parachutes right on Ali's head as Trevor fires multiple combos...

Those are the two simplest ways Trevor takes a prime Ali.

[uncle ben]

Silly. First Berbick was never worlds heavyweight champion. If you think he was find another sport to follow.

He was the WBC world heavyweight champion. By the WBC's standards, Berbick was the best heavyweight on the planet.

[billeau2]

He was the WBC world heavyweight champion. By the WBC's standards, Berbick was the best heavyweight on the planet.

He moved nicely for a big man. Sort of an example of a lot of 80's to 90's guys who had skills, were tough and able. But when a marquee guy came along Berbick couldn't do much... Tyson just lit him up. Ali was a little more "interesting" for lack of a better word lol. Ali might make it close... He fought his best when the competition was the hardest to overcome. But I doubt Berbick could land a glove on a prime Ali.

Let me put that last sentence right: "If Ali was determined... I doubt Berbick could do anything to him. If Ali decided to "be Ali" he might well let people think Berbick was able lol.

[uncle ben]

There are a few ways Berbick wins it!

1. Ali slips on a banana peel, falling into a metal beam while Bberbick slips in a jab..

2. the Parachute guy from bowe/Holly has an IQ of 220, learns how to time travel, goes back and pulls the same stunt, while sweeping a hysterical Trevor. Who has just put his hands up as Holmes is descending on him from the ring... and parachutes right on Ali's head as Trevor fires multiple combos...

Those are the two simplest ways Trevor takes a prime Ali.

What if Ali was coming up the ring steps and slipped and fell and hit his head and suffers a concussion, would Berbick win via DQ?

[uncle ben]

He moved nicely for a big man. Sort of an example of a lot of 80's to 90's guys who had skills, were tough and able. But when a marquee guy came along Berbick couldn't do much... Tyson just lit him up. Ali was a little more "interesting" for lack of a better word lol. Ali might make it close... He fought his best when the competition was the hardest to overcome. But I doubt Berbick could land a glove on a prime Ali.

Let me put that last sentence right: "If Ali was determined... I doubt Berbick could do anything to him. If Ali decided to "be Ali" he might well let people think Berbick was able lol.

Berbick was robbed against Tyson. The ref stopped the fight too soon. Berbick was about to take Tyson into deep water and drown him.

[HOUDINI563]

Berbick was never heavyweight champion of the world. Period.

[billeau2]

What if Ali was coming up the ring steps and slipped and fell and hit his head and suffers a concussion, would Berbick win via DQ?

You need a few rounds I think lol.