Was Ike really a murderous puncher?

[Southpaw16BF]

Ike could ****, but he weren't really known for one murderous ko punch, he was more of a pressure fighter but could hurt you and ko you etc (Chris Byrd)

[JAB5239]

I see what you are saying, its the fact that he was the first to beat the them, the way he did beat them and the few fights that he did had. He wasn't known as being that great of an amateur so he got his experience quickly. I also wouldn't consider Byrd limited. He was the second southpaw heavyweight champion that wasn't big enough to muscle anyone, so he got by with his quickness and boxing ability. He also went on become one of the recent long reigning title holders at heavyweight before Klitschko got him again. Also, Ike had less experience than both Tua and Byrd, and when he went to jail he wasn't even in his true prime yet, which is the scary part. Tua went on to knockout about 4 world champions( even though he never won title) and Byrd had beaten some very good fighters in his reign with the IBF belt.

Byrd was talented but limited by his size. He never beat a really talented big man unless you count the win over Vitaly.

Tua was as one dimensional as they come. I say this even though he use to be one of my favorite fighters. That said, Ike did beat him at his own game.

[IMDAZED]

Byrd was talented but limited by his size. He never beat a really talented big man unless you count the win over Vitaly.

Tua was as one dimensional as they come. I say this even though he use to be one of my favorite fighters. That said, Ike did beat him at his own game.

Byrd has always been talented and limited by his size yet how long did it take someone to do what Ike did to a prime version?

And Tua was hardly the one-dimensional fighter he would become. Again, he and Ibeabuchi threw about 100 punches per round that night and never took a step back.

[paul750]

He was a very hard puncher, but not in the Foreman or shavers bracket. But for a guy to hit even remotely hard and throw that many punches is something we never really see. The very fact the guy was a solid 240lbs and was throwing shots at the speed he was throwing them is proof enough in itself.

[TheGreatA]

I voted overrated because based on what some people say about Ike you would think that he had wiped out Lewis, Holyfield and Bowe, all during the same night.

A lot of potential for sure and the wins over Byrd and Tua proved a lot also but I don't think he would've dominated all the heavyweights of his time.

Remember he had a 40 lb weight advantage over Byrd and 5-6 inch height advantage over Tua.

[IMDAZED]

It would've been nice to see Ibeabuchi against the bigger guys. One thing's for sure, he was willing to fight anyone.

If you think Byrd was ducked even five years ago, imagine what heavyweights were doing to Byrd in his prime. They wanted to have NOTHING to do with him. Same with Tua.

Ibeabuchi was set to fight Michael Grant next who was also heavily hyped. I suspect he would've flattened him and set up an interesting matchup with Lennox but a matchup that might've been a little too much, too soon. Even then, I think he would've held himself up well.

[TheGreatA]

It would've been nice to see Ibeabuchi against the bigger guys. One thing's for sure, he was willing to fight anyone.

If you think Byrd was ducked even five years ago, imagine what heavyweights were doing to Byrd in his prime. They wanted to have NOTHING to do with him. Same with Tua.

Ibeabuchi was set to fight Michael Grant next who was also heavily hyped. I suspect he would've flattened him and set up an interesting matchup with Lennox but a matchup that might've been a little too much, too soon. Even then, I think he would've held himself up well.

Ibeabuchi would've taken out Grant for sure unless he did a 'Golota'.

He did have mental issues after all.

I never thought of that Chris Byrd as a prime Byrd, I think it was a learning experience for him. Byrd's best win before that was over Ross Puritty.

[IMDAZED]

Ibeabuchi would've taken out Grant for sure unless he did a 'Golota'.

He did have mental issues after all.

I never thought of that Chris Byrd as a prime Byrd, I think it was a learning experience for him. Byrd's best win before that was over Ross Puritty.

Agreed. Ugh...prime Golota was the most frustrating heavyweight of the past 20 years.

Anyway, watching the Byrd-Ibeabuchi fight and his previous bouts (Jimmy Thunder, yeah I know), I thought he was at his peak. He just couldn't land a major bout to prove himself. I was surprised Ibeabuchi took that fight when he could have easily side-stepped it.

Either way, I guess we'll never know.

[paul750]

I think if he had of even fought someone like Larry Donald before he went to jail we could have an even better idea of just how good he could have been. Donald was a tall boxer with a good jab. If Ike had of blown him away after Byrd that would look impressive in its own way. A Michael Grant victory before going to jail wouldn't have been much use as we now know Grant was all hype.

[Flawless 2]

Vitali couldn't stop Byrd. How long did it take Ike, give the man credit. Also name me a boxer who could trade with Tua and throw that many punches.