Was Ike really a murderous puncher?

[Scott9945]

I guess it doesn't matter that Byrd drained himself all of that weight in only 3 months and was not only shot to pieces, but was losing his fights. He was stopped by Povetkin and Klitschko, and hasn't looked the same for years.

Those fights were almost 10 years apart, so it really isn't a valid comparison.

[JAB5239]

What dimension was that?

Well, he didn't have great footwork. He wasn't a defensive genius. He was short with not much of a jab to speak of. And call me crazy, but I can't ever remember him outboxing anybody. But boy could he punch!!

[IMDAZED]

Well, he didn't have great footwork. He wasn't a defensive genius. He was short with not much of a jab to speak of. And call me crazy, but I can't ever remember him outboxing anybody. But boy could he punch!!

Tua could be outboxed, very true. But he had a high workrate, pretty good footwork (I disagree), great punch variety, a sturdy chin, and big power.

BTW Rahman in his prime - when motivated - was a pretty good fighter.

[JAB5239]

Tua could be outboxed, very true. But he had a high workrate, pretty good footwork (I disagree), great punch variety, a sturdy chin, and big power.

BTW Rahman in his prime - when motivated - was a pretty good fighter.

I'll concede to the sturdy chin and good workrate (when in shape), but disagree about his punch variety.

Beleive me, Im not trying to put Tua down, just point out his shortcomings as it relates to his fight with Ibeabuchi. For the tools he had, Tua was a beast.

I agree Rahman was a good fighter when motivated. He had a very good Jab, and I would have loved to see him and Ike go at it.

[Steak]

I don't think he would have ever beat Lewis, Vitaly, Bowe or Holyfield. And there are a few guys that may not have won, but I can picture them giving Ike loads of trouble.

That said, Ike was nuttier than a squirel turd and I doubt he had the mental wiring to have carried him to a championship or hold it very long if he had managed to get there.

Well, I dont know if my dates are right, but I think Ike beat Byrd in 1999? By the time he would have started fighting the top top guys it would have been another year, maybe two. and I think at that point Holyfield was losing to guys like John Ruiz and Bowe had already gotten his career finished by Golota. so honestly, those two wouldnt have really been in the picture...maybe Holyfield, but Bowe was totally gone. him vs them in their prime is a completely different discussion though.

[Chase8400]

I guess it doesn't matter that Byrd drained himself all of that weight in only 3 months and was not only shot to pieces, but was losing his fights. He was stopped by Povetkin and Klitschko, and hasn't looked the same for years.

People only said he was shot after looking normal against Klitschko. Another ploy to discredit Wlad. Losing the weight is a serious thing, but Byrd's chin has always been suspect. - Peace

[IMDAZED]

People only said he was shot after looking normal against Klitschko. Another ploy to discredit Wlad. Losing the weight is a serious thing, but Byrd's chin has always been suspect. - Peace

Man, people were saying Byrd was slipping WELL before Klitschko...cuz he was. He's been slipping ever since they robbed Fres Oquendo against him.

[beez721]

Man, people were saying Byrd was slipping WELL before Klitschko...cuz he was. He's been slipping ever since they robbed Fres Oquendo against him.

byrd was in his prime when wlad dominated him the first time

[Randall_Hopkirk]

Based on his achievements he's not overrated. Let's take the Byrd win, yes Chris srtuggled with guys who dwafed him but no one trashed Byrd like that, an active young Byrd that is. The Tua fight was just a marvel a HW fight to rave about, Ok not much skill on offer but two monster guys throwing everything but the kitchen sink at each other and still standing after 36 minutes.

It's probably the claims that he would have taken over the HW world that overrated him slightly, although I can undertsnad those who get nostalgic when looking at his career. he promised so much yet pissed on his chips and denied himself the chance of greatness. Also when you consider the dross the 200+lb guys serve up now a Ibeabuchi of '97 is a boxing fan's wet dream.

[IMDAZED]

byrd was in his prime when wlad dominated him the first time

Ah, I thought he meant the rematch. Absolutely, you're right.