Welcome to another edition of What If?, as the first round of the heavyweight tournament group stage continues. Read the intro and method here. Catch up with the '40s and '80s groups in Episode 5. Previously, on What If: Boxing's major one-man-and-a-crate-of-puppets eras are often mocked for lacking excitement because the champion is so dominant that nobody can rise … [Read more...]
What If’s Excellent Heavyweight Adventure Part 8: Styles Make Chaos
Welcome to another edition of What If?, as the first round of the heavyweight tournament group stage continues. Read the intro and method here. Then catch up on the first group-stage fights from the Thirties and Seventies at this link. In the words of the Grateful Dead: Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me, Other times I can barely see. Lately it occurs to me What a … [Read more...]
What If’s Excellent Heavyweight Adventure Part 7: The San Dimas Screwjob
Welcome to another edition of What If?, as the first round of the heavyweight tournament group stage continues. Read the intro and method here. Catch up with the 1920s and 1960s group stage in Episode 3. Previously, on What If: When last we left our fist-throwing heroes from the 1920s and '60s, Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney seemed headed for a meaningful showdown and … [Read more...]
What If’s Excellent Heavyweight Adventure Part 6: Charles In Charge
Welcome to another edition of What If?, as the first round of the heavyweight tournament group stage continues. Read the intro and method here. Catch up with the 1910s and 1950s group stage in Episode 2. Previously, on What If: When last we left our friends from the earliest days of gloved boxing, Jack Johnson turned the original Fight of the Century into the Farce Du … [Read more...]
What If’s Excellent Heavyweight Adventure Part 5: Joey Maxim’s Punch-Out!
Welcome to another edition of What If?, as the first round of the heavyweight tournament group stage continues. Read the intro and method here. Previously, on What If: “But Fox, WHERE IS MIKE TYSON?” Oh, you thought I left him out? You seriously thought I left him out? Story-wise, Tyson isn't in San Dimas on June 27, because he's off fighting Michael Spinks and … [Read more...]