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Message: [QUOTE="JAXCUSE, post: 4285512, member: 516"] Well said….. And I agree…. Styles do make fights. Asymmetric skill sets/competencies create advantages to exploit and disadvantages to overcome. Same style (with comparable skill/competency) can create stalemate (little action or allot until something gives). Like any sport, boxing is a game of matchups. And breaking the other guy’s will…. I agree - a capable, strong, experienced boxer/puncher (Bivol has the best skill set) is the biggest threat to Beterbiev. Really the only one. No one at weight has a shot if they try to pressure/brawl him at close or midrange. Not to quibble, but I’m not sure that the greatest “pure boxers” in history have always defeated the “greatest brawlers/punchers.” For every Tunney/Dempsey and Ali/Liston and Foreman, there’s Battling Nelson/Joe Gans, Greb/Tunney 1 (and 3 - a draw), Henry Armstrong/Barney Ross, Sandy Sadler/Willie Pep, Basilio/SRR 1, Fulmer/SRR 1, Marciano/Charles, Duran/SRL 1, Hagler/Hearns (not a perfect example, but well-known), Pryor/Arguello, JCC/Taylor, Pac/Cotto, Sor Rungvisai/Choclatito Not all perfect examples. Absolute prime vs prime (at best weight) is very rare in the sport. There are just as many (examples) that support your thesis. IMO, the greatest of fighters adjust and even change their “style” if necessary to beat the guy in front of them. SRR famously went after Randy Turpin and initiated a furious brawl in their rematch after suffering a bad cut that threatened to stop the fight. SRL switched style and jumped on the “then boxer“ Tommy Hearns down the stretch after Dundee told him “you’re blowing it son” in their first encounter. Ali went flat footed and rope-a-doped Foreman to wear him out. Changed his “strategy” and “style” after the 1st rd. Different than the way he outboxed and beat Liston. My belief - The truly greatest of greats have changed their strategy during the bout and “morphed” their style (if necessary) to win. Fun debate. All opinion. Thanks for the banter. Always look forward to reading the thoughts here. Glad you and a few others (ssbriefcase) on this board follow the sport as well. [/QUOTE]

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