How would Teófilo Stevenson have done had he gone pro in the 70's or early 80's?

Question

If he were to have fought...

Muhammad Ali
Joe Frazier
George Forman
Ernie Shavers
Jerry Quarry
Larry Holmes
Leon Soinks
Ken Norton

Who would have won and how?Or would Stevenson just have simply been a great amateur fighter who'd be torn to shreds by the pros as we have seen before. How tall and heavy was he in his prime?

Answer 1

Ric,
Ali - he gets outclassed and TKO ed in the latter rounds.
Frazier - he gets mowed over and KO ed in round 4.
Big George - he gets destroyed in round 1.
Quarry - he retires on his stool by round 7.
Holmes - same result as with Ali.
Spinks - He gets TKO ed by round 8.
Norton - he gets out jabbed and KO ed by round 4.

Why? Not because he was a terrible boxer. But because it's a huge step to box professionally against these fighters. The pace of the fight between amateur and professionals is so vastly different. In the amateurs/Olympics he was a man among boys. he wouldn't be a man among boys fighting these crop of heavies.

Answer 2

This is a tough question because we wouldn't know how he would handle the late rounds. No doubt Stevenson was a master boxer who stood straight up and threw straight punches and I feel would have hada problem with a hooker like Frazier and Norton in the late rounds, Foreman I feel would have bullyed him and forced a stoppage. Ali would have been able to deal with his straight up style and made adjustmants to win a UD, Holmes could have gone either way again depending how Stevenson would handle the late rounds, and finally I feel he beats Quarry,Spinks and Shavers unless Shavers catches him early.

Answer 3

Well I have first hand knowledge of Stevenson back in 1978 Greg Page was supposed to fight him and did not go to Cuba with the rest of the U.S.A team he would have beaten every one on your list except Ali ,Larry Holmes JO FRAZIER the rest of these fighters stand straight up asking to get hit with a right hand Stevenson had a way of maneuvering his opponent into poss ion to take a direct hit from his right hand and if he hit you it was over he had the best straight hand in boxing of the three I picked to beat Stevenson Joe Frazier would have had the hardest time because of his style but Ali and Holmes the master boxers with the great chins would have picked Stevenson apart

Answer 4

I'm of the opinion that most of the 70's heavys would have beaten Stevenson. It's amazing that most people don't really go into the fact that Igor Vysotsky beat him twice, and Angel Milian and Jimmy Clark gave him hell.Plus, Page would've taken him around '78 had they fought at that time.Stevenson went around 6'5" and 210-220 lbs.

Answer 5

I don't think Stevenson could have beaten Ali. Foreman would have been a VERY intersting match. I believe he would have at least decisioned all the others, and could have KO'd Quarry, Spinks, and Norton.

Answer 6

Big Lar and Ali would have whupped him big time. Stevensen fought mostly kids.