John Henry Lewis

[mr. magoo]

Originally Posted by Unforgiven

He's one of the greatest light-heavyweights of all-time, without a doubt.

It's remarkable that he had such a career with so many fights but was retired at 24 !

I know. That record is unbelievable..

[Doc Dynamo]

If JHL is rated in the top 4 LHs, he'd have to rate higher than Loughran, Tunney and Greb. This doesn't make sense to me. Can any JHL advocates enlighten me as to his superiority over these three?

I also have Charles, Moore, Spinks, Foster, Bivins, and Tommy Gibbons above him and Sam Langford if you consider him as an LH.

[My2Sense]

Originally Posted by Doc Dynamo

If JHL is rated in the top 4 LHs, he'd have to rate higher than Loughran, Tunney and Greb. This doesn't make sense to me. Can any JHL advocates enlighten me as to his superiority over these three?

I also have Charles, Moore, Spinks, Foster, Bivins, and Tommy Gibbons above him and Sam Langford if you consider him as an LH.

I agree, I would rate all the fighters you listed over Lewis. I'd also add Billy Conn and Harold Johnson to that list as well.

While Lewis had a commendable run of wins during his championship tenure, I don't think it was any more impressive than the runs these fighters and others put together in their careers. I can't put him in a top 10 myself for the simple fact that I can find at least 10 fighters (and more, in fact) that clearly deserve to be rated over him IMO.

[Doc Dynamo]

I can't believe I forgot Billy Conn.

[GPater11093]

In that footage of him sparring he looks a nice tidy boxer. He showed a classy jab with good combinations flowing off of it. Also his counter punching ability looked top notch.

[Minotauro]

A quality fighter top 15 possibly top 10 light heavy. Had great speed peaked early.

[Doc Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Minotauro

A quality fighter top 15 possibly top 10 light heavy. Had great speed peaked early.

Top 15 sounds about right

[Titan1]

Could a prime John Henry have taken a prime Billy Conn?

[Surf-Bat]

Originally Posted by mr. magoo

I know. That record is unbelievable..

It is indeed.

Funny that no one seems to ever mention Al Gainer when discussing Lewis's most impressive wins. Gainer was a left-hooking KO artist with an iron chin who probably would have been champ if Lewis had not been around. Like Lewis he beat many top heavyweights in addition to the men his size. After stopping Tony Galento on the Louis-Schmeling undercard Mike Jacobs called him “The best negro light-heavyweight or heavyweight contender in America. He’s got a left hook that rings for the ambulance and a right that calls out the emergency squad.” Jacobs even went so far as predicting the possibility of Gainer someday becoming heavyweight champion of the world and was actually once considering him for a shot at Joe Louis, if that tells you anything. He also beat Jim Braddock and Tiger Jack Fox.

John Henry Lewis beat him twice.

[Legend X]

Archie Moore considered JHL the greatest light-heavyweight of all-time.

[thistle1]

Originally Posted by young griffo

I've never been able to work out why that is,maybe his loss to Louis and lack of title defenses left a lingering impression,as his record merits a much higher standing.

I agree with your placement of him.Only Charles and Moore clearly belong above him imo and perhaps Spinks and maybe Foster (although Lewis' record against bigger men is light years ahead of Bob's)

Media Darlings and ongoing Press ALWAYS gets some fighters the 'memory stick', whether they were actually the best or NOT.

John Henry Lewis was one of the Greats and AMONG the Best of Alltime fighters for sure...