When was the last time a smaller man beat a good top ten ring magazine ranked larger man on points in a significant fight at heavyweight?

[Dr. Z]

My theory is that if the larger man is skilled, he seldom loses on points to the smaller in his prime. The smaller guy might win, but the chances of it are via knockout in the past 30 years in, and in most cases, that upset happens if he lands his best stuff first.


Take a look at the super heavyweights since Bowe, Lewis, Klitschko, Klitschko, and Fury. (1991-2022 ) Add up all their fights ( 200+ ) and you get one decision loss in their prime, and that one was a razor-thin decision! That's it. So it's silly to pick the much smaller man on points, I say. Sure Lewis and Wlad were upset by big punchers. That is not my point. That is the theory.


For those interested, check out my top 15 heavyweight prospects, which I update quarterly. They all are pretty much 6'4" big guys 230+ pounds who can hit. Some can really fight. The game is changing. You just don't see any sub 210 pounds, 6'1" to under or with a reach less than 75" anymore. There are none ranked today or in my up and coming heavyweight prospect rankings. And there had not been a man of these dimensions in years.


Unless the smaller man has a very good chin, and very good power, with the right style, he's like a loser in fantasy fights, and history shows he is likely a loser in the past 30 years.


Fans of the old-time heavies ( me ) have to admit this...if they are honest. These days, ranked heavyweights are 2-3 divisions north of where they used to be and much more skilled and athletic in the past 50-120 years compared to past big men.


- Dr. Z

[QueensburyRules]

My theory is that if the larger man is skilled, he seldom loses on points to the smaller in his prime. The smaller guy might win, but the chances of it are via knockout in the past 30 years in, and in most cases, that upset happens if he lands his best stuff first.


Take a look at the super heavyweights since Bowe, Lewis, Klitschko, Klitschko, and Fury. (1991-2022 )

- Dr. Z

- - Usyk weren't around then except for Flubber who was too busy with low hanging fruit rather than challenge Usyk.

AJ the only one who dared.

[Willow The Wisp]

- - Usyk weren't around then except for Flubber who was too busy with low hanging fruit rather than challenge Usyk.

AJ the only one who dared.

Can't wait for Wilder vs. Ruiz, Wilder vs. Joshua, and Wilder vs. Usyk. Nos. 2 and 3 Gonna look like Forman vs. Norton and Foreman vs. Frazier. As for Wilder vs. Ruiz, we're gonna get that one first, and that one's gonna look like Wilt Chamberlain dribbling in for a layup.

[GhostofDempsey]

Tyson over Ruddock is one that comes to mind. That was over 30 years ago.

[QueensburyRules]

Can't wait for Wilder vs. Ruiz, Wilder vs. Joshua, and Wilder vs. Usyk. Nos. 2 and 3 Gonna look like Forman vs. Norton and Foreman vs. Frazier. As for Wilder vs. Ruiz, we're gonna get that one first, and that one's gonna look like Wilt Chamberlain dribbling in for a layup.

- - Deyonce likely be pulled from them fights because of the dent Flubber put in his noggin.

Guy needs to retire, marry Charlie Z, and move to Timbuktu.

[Dr. Z]

Tyson over Ruddock is one that comes to mind. That was over 30 years ago.

Probably correct. A nice win for Tyson vs a man no big wins. Razor lost to Tommy Morrison and others. Any other examples anyone? Maybe my theory is a good one.

[JAB5239]

Usyk beat Joshua. Byrd beat Vits. Holyfield should have been given the decision over Valuev.

[Dr. Z]

Won on points I said. Byrd didn't do that. Usyk isn't a small man, he is 6'3" tall 220+ pounds and has a 78" reach. I am not going to speculate on the scoring in this thread. Sorry you're 0-3. To the board any other examples?

[Ivich]

Usyk beat Joshua. Byrd beat Vits. Holyfield should have been given the decision over Valuev.

Byrd is 6ft 2 in and for that fight weighed 210 3/4lbs.

He was giving away 5 inches of height , 33lbs and took the fight on10 days notice.

[JAB5239]

Won on points I said. Byrd didn't do that. Usyk isn't a small man, he is 6'3" tall 220+ pounds and has a 78" reach. I am not going to speculate on the scoring in this thread. Sorry you're 0-3. To the board any other examples?

Since you're being so technical, you must cou t Usyk. In your title it say the last time a "smaller man" beat a larger man. Usyk was the smaller man and by a pretty good margin too. Why do you not want to talk about Holyfield getting robbed against Valuev? It fits your criteria of a smaller man, and there is certainly an argument Holy won on points.