The 80's Lost Heavyweights ''Discussion Thread''

[Scott9945]

Dokes and Page were the most gifted. Witherspoon was the most consistent. Thomas, Coetzee, Tubbs, and Tucker were all legit talents who fell short of their potential. The others were mediocre if we're being honest.

Oddly enough, the only one of the above who Larry Holmes ever fought was a young Witherspoon, and he wouldn't give him a rematch after barely beating him. That's why I can't rate Holmes as high as most people.

[Kid McCoy]

They all had similar talent and consistency levels, so none was able to stay ahead of the others for very long. Most of them also had Don King as well, which may explain some of their troubles. As soon as it looked like one would establish himself someone else came along and knocked him off.

Weaver was my favourite; tough (although his chin was always unreliable), great left-hook and always came to fight. As an unknown journeyman he pushed Holmes hard and then put together a nice run in the early 80s. I thought he was very unlucky with the officiating in the two Dokes bouts. Page was the most talented. Tubbs was talented as well despite his appearance and later in his career he pretty well out-boxed a young Rid**** Bowe. Spoon was the best, probably the #3 heavyweight of the 80s after Holmes and Tyson, yet saying that Thomas beat him pretty handily.

I thought Pinky would be the one who finally beat Holmes, but then he followed up his Spoon win with a lethargic performance against Berbick and was out-muscled and out-mauled. Berbick is another I'd add to this list. He was up and down like the others but he was freakishly strong and awkward and pulled off two big upsets against the then-undefeated and highly regarded Page and Thomas.

[Perfect Plex]

They all had similar talent and consistency levels, so none was able to stay ahead of the others for very long. Most of them also had Don King as well, which may explain some of their troubles. As soon as it looked like one would establish himself someone else came along and knocked him off.

Weaver was my favourite; tough (although his chin was always unreliable), great left-hook and always came to fight. As an unknown journeyman he pushed Holmes hard and then put together a nice run in the early 80s. I thought he was very unlucky with the officiating in the two Dokes bouts. Page was the most talented. Tubbs was talented as well despite his appearance and later in his career he pretty well out-boxed a young Rid**** Bowe. Spoon was the best, probably the #3 heavyweight of the 80s after Holmes and Tyson, yet saying that Thomas beat him pretty handily.

I thought Pinky would be the one who finally beat Holmes, but then he followed up his Spoon win with a lethargic performance against Berbick and was out-muscled and out-mauled. Berbick is another I'd add to this list. He was up and down like the others but he was freakishly strong and awkward and pulled off two big upsets against the then-undefeated and highly regarded Page and Thomas.

As always McCoy a great informative post.

[GJC]

Frank Bruno was easily one of the most entertaining, one of the hardest working too. Never turned up flabby, overweight and had no battles with drugs....well at least in the 80s!!

He only lost three times in the decade (was ahead on points in two of them at the time of stoppage to Bonecrusher Smith and Tim Witherspoon). He certainly hurt Tyson too early on too.

I can't believe he hasn't been mentioned yet!

Think the difference with Bruno and the others was Frank squeezed all he could out of his talent lot of the others wasted their talent

[BostonGuy]

Here's a fun little hw scrap from the 80's that I found. Michael Dokes vs. Razor Ruddock; the fight itself starts at part 3 so you won't miss any of the fight:

[Scott9945]

Here's a fun little hw scrap from the 80's that I found. Michael Dokes vs. Razor Ruddock; the fight itself starts at part 3 so you won't miss any of the fight:

An unforgettable knockout

[Sugarj]

Think the difference with Bruno and the others was Frank squeezed all he could out of his talent lot of the others wasted their talent

Thats why I admire him. He is the epitome of hard work, always turned up for battle without an ounce of body fat and with the exception of Tyson 2 (obviously his last fight) gave good performances........even in fights that he lost.

[rorymac]

Before my time, only one I've really seen is Dokes.