<p>I cant pick a greatest , so many greats from all different eras ,and like other sports its hard to compare eras,</p>
<p> </p>
<p>i like Ali for skill , his hand speed and footwork was something else, and we possibly didnt see the best of him with his stint in jail when he was at his peak, </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tyson for power , at his best I dont think anyone could have stood there and exchanged with him , not in early rounds anyway when he used to burst out of the blocks like a mad man </p>
<p>Would have loved to see a 3 round slug fest of tua vs tyson. Doubt it would last 3 rounds.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tua in his prime was amazing. Sure he fought a lot of bums but they all do in the early stages. The way Tua dealt to the likes of Ruiz and Moorer and the wins over Rahman and Maskaev was pretty dam impressive. Was a shame he didnt bring his a-game ve Lewis. That fight had some much potential but never came to the boil.</p>
To me the 'bigger,faster,stronger' stuff is more pertinent in Rugby. Much more so. I mean can anyone imagine the 75-80kg midfielders of yesteryear handling Nonu?<br><br>
I reckon some of the older fighters could have slugged it out on an even keel with Tyson.....have a read of this tough bugger.....<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J._Jeffries">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J._Jeffries</a><br><br>
Mind you, it's ultimately impossible to say and Tyson was damn scary in his prime.....hard to gauge Jeffries from shitty black and white footage.<br><br>
JK, Tua did bring his A game he just couldn't grow any taller! I still reckon even getting a shot was a great achievement though.
When you look at Fury, with that body he could easily be mistaken with the fighters of yesteryear. One thing with boxing is that it has been professional for more than a century. The tops guys could afford to do nothing but train. Yes there have been advances in training, conditioning, nutrition etc. but the fundamentals are still the same. You could perhaps also argue that there was a much bigger and better pool of talent back in the day. <br><br>
Didn't they also use to fight an astonishing number of rounds in the early days? Like 50 or something.
<p>Fury is revelling in the publicity. This is brilliant.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.independent.ie/videos/sport/tyson-fury-im-mr-famous-now-34273794.html'>http://www.independent.ie/videos/sport/tyson-fury-im-mr-famous-now-34273794.html</a></p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="547148" data-time="1449798886">
<div>
<p>Fury is revelling in the publicity. This is brilliant.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.independent.ie/videos/sport/tyson-fury-im-mr-famous-now-34273794.html'>http://www.independent.ie/videos/sport/tyson-fury-im-mr-famous-now-34273794.html</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Shame The Fast Show isn't still on. Perfect material.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="547137" data-time="1449796538"><p>
When you look at Fury, with that body he could easily be mistaken with the fighters of yesteryear. One thing with boxing is that it has been professional for more than a century. The tops guys could afford to do nothing but train. Yes there have been advances in training, conditioning, nutrition etc. but the fundamentals are still the same. You could perhaps also argue that there was a much bigger and better pool of talent back in the day. <br>
Didn't they also use to fight an astonishing number of rounds in the early days? Like 50 or something.</p></blockquote>
Google images of Jack Johnson ( not the singer ) and Jim Jeffries ( not the comedian ) both of them have physiques seriously ahead of their time. Definitely a few weight sessions and steak meals in there along with awesome genetics.<br><br>
As for the rounds, yes they did a ridiculous amount and some of those were fucken bare knuckled !?!?!<br><br>
Again, ya can't compare eras but fuck those old fluffybunnies must have been tough.
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="547072" data-time="1449781383">
<div>
<p>To me the 'bigger,faster,stronger' stuff is more pertinent in Rugby. Much more so. I mean can anyone imagine the 75-80kg midfielders of yesteryear handling Nonu?<br><br>
I reckon some of the older fighters could have slugged it out on an even keel with Tyson.....have a read of this tough bugger.....<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J._Jeffries">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J._Jeffries</a><br><br>
Mind you, it's ultimately impossible to say and Tyson was damn scary in his prime.....hard to gauge Jeffries from shitty black and white footage.<br><br>
JK, Tua did bring his A game he just couldn't grow any taller! I still reckon even getting a shot was a great achievement though.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Marciano was a beast in his time , but fought at about 85 kilos ,( I find that hard to believe he was that small but thats what they tell us) had a reach shorter than Mayweathers , I heard he only fought 2 guys that weighed more than 200 pounds ( 90 kilos) , modern fighters are 110 plus now </p>
<p> </p>
<p>He would be a small cruiserweight now you would think , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Absolute beast in his era , and not intending to take anything away from him because he is a legend, but its hard to imagine him with his style , bothering the big units like Lennox Lewis and Klitchko too much now </p>
<p>Mike Tyson v George Foreman would have been fun while it lasted</p>
<p>Holyfield v Bowe are great heavyweight fights</p>
<p>Tua had some great fights yes but some utter shite as well - motivation and ring smarts when needed (easily outskilled) were at times lacking.</p>
<p>Def Tua just did not have the work ethic and dedication of Parker - if he did he prob would have got a version of the title</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.facebook.com/855192874578934/videos/868715163226705/'>https://www.facebook.com/855192874578934/videos/868715163226705/</a></p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="547173" data-time="1449806211"><p>
Google images of Jack Johnson ( not the singer ) and Jim Jeffries ( not the comedian ) both of them have physiques seriously ahead of their time. Definitely a few weight sessions and steak meals in there along with awesome genetics.<br><br>
As for the rounds, yes they did a ridiculous amount and some of those were fucken bare knuckled !?!?!<br><br>
Again, ya can't compare eras but fuck those old fluffybunnys must have been tough.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Yep, I remember when I first saw footage of Johnson and thought straightway that his physique wouldn't look out of place in modern boxing. No performance enhancing shit at that time either. He wasn't huge though. 90 odd kilos IIRC.
<p>Anthony Joshua knocks outs Whyte to remain undefeated..</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Seems to be a couple of fighters that Parker will have to go through..</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bart The Muss" data-cid="547409" data-time="1449982092">
<div>
<p>AJ prob ahead of Parker at this stage and he is very marketable</p>
<p>Parker v Unistov (who won other day) a good option then target an elimination fight.</p>
<p>Parker is being noticed on the HW stage so keeping winning is paramount</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>In today's SST it says Parker is now ranked no.3 in the WBO rankings. Joshua is ranked no.2. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I doubt Duco will get some of the better heavyweights to fight Parker in NZ so they'll have to fight in the US. The likes of Shannon Briggs have turned down fights with Parker.</p>
<p>Shannon Briggs is a joke - he fighting guys worse than Parkers and trying to talk his way to a payday.</p>
<p>He managed it once against Vitaly and got nearly every bone in his face broken.</p>
<p>Parker would batter him</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I have never of the american guy ranked have to find his name again and google his ass</p>
<p>Sure Parker is ranked 3rd for WBO.. But hes not even ranked top 10 for the other belts.. </p>
<p>Parker has a long way to go.. Haye looks to making a comeback as well.. </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="547410" data-time="1449984114">
<div>
<p>In today's SST it says Parker is now ranked no.3 in the WBO rankings. Joshua is ranked no.2. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I doubt Duco will get some of the better heavyweights to fight Parker in NZ so they'll have to fight in the US. The likes of Shannon Briggs have turned down fights with Parker.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Might be wrong but I have some concerns looking forward that Duco could be a handicap for Joseph , just not convinced they are capable of getting him the fights he needs , especially like you say , they want to keep fighting in NZ where they can have him as the main event and secure the rights to the pay per view , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>At some stage if he keeps climbing , something has to give , he probably needs to fight on some more big overseas undercards as a stepping stone , not sure Duco will want that though </p>
<p>Parker has the same problem Tua had - his reputation to hit people hard precedes him. Tua was one of the most feared men in heavyweight boxing history, which is another reason he faced so many bums - the top names avoided him like the plague.</p>
Another good win for Anthony Joshua, awesome upper cut to finish. It looks like he will fight Fury in the autumn of 2016. Be interesting to see who he takes on before that.
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="547421" data-time="1449991418">
<div>
<p>Might be wrong but I have some concerns looking forward that Duco could be a handicap for Joseph , just not convinced they are capable of getting him the fights he needs , especially like you say , they want to keep fighting in NZ where they can have him as the main event and secure the rights to the pay per view , </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I agree. Duco is talking about JP fighting on Sunday afternoon (NZT) to maximise the US Saturday night PPV audience. Kevin Barry knows the boxing world better than Duco so should be the person who has most control over Parker's development and future opportunities.</p>
<p>If Joshua fights Parker down the track , you would think , it will be the guy with the best defense and or chin that takes it out with both fighters having plenty of speed and power in their hands, </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I watched bits of the Joshua fight from over the weekend , Duco need to get Parker some better fights , they are talking it up , but the fighters he has been fighting are a long way from this standard </p>
<p> </p>
<p>
<p>Thanks for posting that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Good test for Joshua. Came throuugh it well.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Godder" data-cid="547427" data-time="1449997527"><p>Parker has the same problem Tua had - his reputation to hit people hard precedes him. Tua was one of the most feared men in heavyweight boxing history, which is another reason he faced so many bums - the top names avoided him like the plague.</p></blockquote>
<br>
I don't reckon Parker is remotely in Tuas league in terms of power punching.
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="547550" data-time="1450047527">
<div>
<p>I don't reckon Parker is remotely in Tuas league in terms of power punching.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>No he isn't not many had that 1 punch power- much better boxer though better conditioning and dedication.</p>
<p>Tua did do really well with his limitations - reach-height- boxing skills.</p>
<p>When he was motivated and trained Tua could trouble anyone with his power</p>
Despite relative similarities I reckon early Tyson was a much better 'boxer' than Tua. He seemed to lose a lot of those skills once he got out of jail though.
<p>Tyson was afar better boxer</p>
<p>Extreme head movement (Tua limited there although used shoulder roll defence quite well but by-in-large was hit way too much losing rounds relying on his granite head to wear opponents down.</p>
<p>Tyson's hand /upperbody and hip movement was freakish</p>
<p>Add that to knock out power in both hands and a large array of combinations ( Tua again limited in punching combos)</p>
<p>In saying that its a fight that could go either way between the 2 although I think Mikes speed would take it.</p>
<p>Tyson lost alot of that movement and speed as he got older and not just because of prison- those reflect movements are only belonging to the youth once that goes fighters must change their game plans/styles- same thing happened to Ali when he got older- no way 60's early 70's Ali would rope a dope Foreman- he would beat him with footwork and hand speed as well as freakish ablility to dodge punches. alar Liston fight- Cleveland Williams</p>
<p>Look at Roy Jones Jr a reflects fighter still trying to continue ( a crime) he can no longer evade punches from journeyman and he takes them on the chin</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bart The Muss" data-cid="547608" data-time="1450070647">
<div>
<p>Tyson was afar better boxer</p>
<p>Extreme head movement (Tua limited there although used shoulder roll defence quite well but by-in-large was hit way too much losing rounds relying on his granite head to wear opponents down.</p>
<p>Tyson's hand /upperbody and hip movement was freakish</p>
<p>Add that to knock out power in both hands and a large array of combinations ( Tua again limited in punching combos)</p>
<p>In saying that its a fight that could go either way between the 2 although I think Mikes speed would take it.</p>
<p>Tyson lost alot of that movement and speed as he got older and not just because of prison- those reflect movements are only belonging to the youth once that goes fighters must change their game plans/styles- same thing happened to Ali when he got older- no way 60's early 70's Ali would rope a dope Foreman- he would beat him with footwork and hand speed as well as freakish ablility to dodge punches. alar Liston fight- Cleveland Williams</p>
<p>Look at Roy Jones Jr a reflects fighter still trying to continue ( a crime) he can no longer evade punches from journeyman and he takes them on the chin</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Yeah , Tyson had more tricks I reckon with his ducking and weaving , and had knock out power in both hands ,</p>
<p> </p>
<div> </div>
<div>with Tua it was usually about the lethal left hook , made him that bit more predictable , but what a hook it was all the same </div>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="547550" data-time="1450047527">
<div>
<p>I don't reckon Parker is remotely in Tuas league in terms of power punching.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Yeah , he is knocking guys out as a result of combinations , still effective though , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>But Tua would put them to sleep with one punch </p>
<p>yes Tua was more a 1 trick pony- or more he relied on the left hook to get him out of trouble... trouble for Tua was not getting hurt but falling behind by huge distances on pts, too many times he got away with ko in 9-10th round. Not knocking him for doing so but I think it may have hindered his progress as a boxer and he was happy just to be a puncher.</p>
<p>Tua did have a right hand that could hurt- ask former HW champ Micheal Moorer ( not the worlds best chin though)</p>
<p>Parker and Tua although both Samoan Kiwis are poles apart as boxers. Iloved watching Tua ko people back in the day but its JP's time now and I will watch and support him as much as possible, if I win Lotto and can retire I and go to his fights!</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="547634" data-time="1450110045">
<div>
<p>In case anyone, like me had forgotten - wincing alert </p>
<p> </p>
<p>
Ouch - to paraphrase Crocop - right hook hospital, left hook cemetery.<br><br>
What marked out Tyson for me was his ability to keep throwing heavy shots, whatever body position he seemed to be in. Must have had the core of an ox, I think his relative lack of height was actually an advantage in this respect.
Similiar principle to Rocky Marciano who was around the same height. <br><br>
Fighting out of a bit of a crouch definitely aids hitting power and this is something Jim Jeffries and Jack Dempsey did despite being very tall for their eras ( 6 foot 2 and 6 foot respectively )
<p>No doubting Tua's power, pace & precision, but did he ever fight anyone who was any good?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Could have been a contender in the early days of the UFC.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="547674" data-time="1450138480">
<div>
<p>No doubting Tua's power, pace & precision, but did he ever fight anyone who was any good?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Could have been a contender in the early days of the UFC.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm no expert on the heavyweight division back then but I think John Ruiz, Michael Moorer and Hasim Rahman were all significant victories at the time.</p>
Rahman beat Lewis. Enough said. Tua was very, very good and a guy who everyone tried to avoid. Doubt he coulda got close, literally or figuratively, to the Klitchkos though....
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="547674" data-time="1450138480">
<div>
<p>No doubting Tua's power, pace & precision, but did he ever fight anyone who was any good?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Could have been a contender in the early days of the UFC.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>He was top 4 or thereabouts for quite some time , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Probably a little mis managed , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fought Rahman , controversial draw, many thought he won , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fought Lewis for the world title and lost . </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Like has been mentioned by MN5 , the type of guy people didnt want to fight , possibly the best left hook heavyweight boxing has ever seen , his leading hand was his money punch . which made him unorthodox </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bart The Muss" data-cid="547617" data-time="1450085110">
<div>
<p>yes Tua was more a 1 trick pony- or more he relied on the left hook to get him out of trouble... trouble for Tua was not getting hurt but falling behind by huge distances on pts, too many times he got away with ko in 9-10th round. Not knocking him for doing so but I think it may have hindered his progress as a boxer and he was happy just to be a puncher.</p>
<p>Tua did have a right hand that could hurt- ask former HW champ Micheal Moorer ( not the worlds best chin though)</p>
<p>Parker and Tua although both Samoan Kiwis are poles apart as boxers. Iloved watching Tua ko people back in the day but its JP's time now and I will watch and support him as much as possible, if I win Lotto and can retire I and go to his fights!</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Yeah - basically Tua was too short to be properly competitive in the elite heavyweight ranks. Lennox Lewis killed him - he was six inches taller, had a massive reach advantage, and was faster around the ring. Tua basically went into that fight as a puncher's chance - but, in most ways it was a mismatch. Lewis could just rack up points with his jab and Tua needed to land a big left hook to knock him out and win. Tyson - being a lot shorter than Lennox, would have been a better match for Tua but, in his prime, he had way to much firepower for Dave. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Baby Joseph looks like a different story to me. He's got the physique and he's certainly got some speed and plenty of power. Whether he can navigate the shithole that is pro boxing to a title is a different question, but it's promising that he's ranked highly by the WBO (?) get one title and then the fighters will come to him.</p>
According to stats Sonny Liston at 6 foot 1 had a reach of 2.13???? ( ie about 7 foot??? ) that's gotta be bullshit.
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="547731" data-time="1450160778">
<div>
<p>According to stats Sonny Liston at 6 foot 1 had a reach of 2.13???? ( ie about 7 foot??? ) that's gotta be bullshit.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Manute Bol was 7'7" with a 102" reach.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>
