Forgotten great lightweights
 

I do not need to tell anybody here that the lightweight division has an extremely talent rich history.

I think it is a division where all time greats get overlooked due to the low profile of the division and spme never make it due to the level of competition.

So here is a thread devoted to great lightweights who do not get enough exposure. Lets have some names.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Benny Leonard comes to mind. Although Ray Mancini is mentioned on the forum every now and again, he happens to be one of my favorites as well.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Jack McAuliffe, lack of footage (it being the 19th century an' all) is the main reason. :good

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Good choice.

In his day he was regarded as something of a pound for pound Marvel.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

I wouldn't say Benny Leonard is forgotten. He's generally considered a Top 3 atg lightweight, absolute minimum.

Joe Brown would be my choice.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

If you had asked a panel of boxing writers to produce a list of the greatest lightweights of all when Leonard retired the top 3 would be-

1. Joe Gans
2. Kid Lavigne
3. Benny Leonard

If you did the same today he would still be in the top three and might well take the No1 spot.

This leads me to think that his legend has endured prety well.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Interesting. i wonder why the aura around the legends of Gans and livigne has decreased then...:think

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Sammy Angott rarely gets mentioned; another excellent fighter at his best.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Willie Joyce. At least the other mentions are in the Hall of Fame.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Former LW champ Sammy Mandell. He beat McLarnin, Petrolle, and Johnny Dundee.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Freddy Pendleton is worth a mention

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Not to mention Tony Canzoneri.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

...and Babe Ruth.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Rocky Kansas.

Re: Forgotten great lightweights
 

Probably due to lack of quality footage.