Where does Freddie Steele Rank Among Top Middleweights

[standing 8countboxing]

After my not-so classic Zab Judah question, I post this question about Freddie Steele...Was a tough as nail fighters who continued to fight on a world class level (for a short time, anyway) after a horrific car accident. He didn't have great power, but it seems he was able to find it when he needed too, as a lot of his bigger fights ended by KO.

Do you guys have any footage of him you can post in this thread? I'm not having much luck.


Also any stories or antidotes you guys might want to share about Steele would be great.

[red cobra]

Some threads never quite "hit the heights" here in classic..just ask me about my Hugo Corro-Sven Ottke thread sometimes.
As for Freddie Steele, I don't yet know just where I rate him, as ratings, i.e. lists just aren't my cup of tea. I will only go as far as this in ranking the middleweights....
1. Carlos Monzon
2. Marvin Hagler
3. SRR
4. Harry Greb
The rest can be debated on..so many greats to consider. Freddie Steele has come to my attention only fairly recently. I'm impressed as hell by him in the way he just blew away his competition, but I'm still trying assess just how he'd do against Dick Tiger, Emile Griffith, Jake LaMotta, Gene Fullmer, etc.,

[Lester1583]

Originally Posted by standing 8countboxing

He didn't have great power

From what I've heard Steele's record is a bit misleading - he did have some serious power.

Originally Posted by standing 8countboxing

Do you guys have any footage of him you can post in this thread? I'm not having much luck.

His fights against Lesnevich and Dundee are on youtube.

Excellent left hook.

Impressive stuff.

[SJS19]

The Classic forum, where every MW Champion is a great, except for Bernard.

[thistle1]

among them,

but the middleweight division has dozens, quite literally.

In it's 3 greatest Era's, the 1940s, the 20s or 50s - going into the 60s (you pick), the Fab 4, Britain's Fab 4 and a few in recent years.

Over a 100 truely great fighters - Elite, Champs, and Contenders with very little between most of them!!!

[Hands of Iron]

Originally Posted by SJS19

The Classic forum, where every MW Champion is a great, except for Bernard.

Don't be such a sour puss, SJS.

If it's any consolation, The Ring circa 2012 calls him the Greatest Middleweight Ever.

[greynotsoold]

Originally Posted by thistle1

among them,

but the middleweight division has dozens, quite literally.

In it's 3 greatest Era's, the 1940s, the 20s or 50s - going into the 60s (you pick), the Fab 4, Britain's Fab 4 and a few in recent years.

Over a 100 truely great fighters - Elite, Champs, and Contenders with very little between most of them!!!

That is very true. You could be the 75th best MW and be a really good fighter.

[Hands of Iron]

Originally Posted by red cobra

Some threads never quite "hit the heights" here in classic..just ask me about my Hugo Corro-Sven Ottke thread sometimes.
As for Freddie Steele, I don't yet know just where I rate him, as ratings, i.e. lists just aren't my cup of tea. I will only go as far as this in ranking the middleweights....
1. Harry Greb
2. SRR
3. Carlos Monzon
4. Marvin Hagler
The rest can be debated on..so many greats to consider. Freddie Steele has come to my attention only fairly recently. I'm impressed as hell by him in the way he just blew away his competition, but I'm still trying assess just how he'd do against Dick Tiger, Emile Griffith, Jake LaMotta, Gene Fullmer, etc.,

Hey buddy, I completely agree.

[standing 8countboxing]

Cool, thanks for the answers. I hadn't realized the Ring called him number 1 of all-time. I know it's easy to say "LOL, Ring" but for him to be even considered for that spot on any list is a pretty good honor, but it could be "Ring" saying, "Hey look, here's a good nobody talks about much, let's be different!"

Or something like that...

I wrote a very poor story on Steele in my early writing days for ESB. I would link it, but semi-embarrassing, ha.

[dpw417]

Originally Posted by SJS19

The Classic forum, where every MW Champion is a great, except for Bernard.

Nope...I rate X very high. Best defensive middleweight I've ever seen on film...and Freddie Steele should problably be rated much higher than he is generally considered...But Bernard gives anybody major problems.

[Hands of Iron]

Originally Posted by standing 8countboxing

Cool, thanks for the answers. I hadn't realized the Ring called him number 1 of all-time. I know it's easy to say "LOL, Ring" but for him to be even considered for that spot on any list is a pretty good honor, but it could be "Ring" saying, "Hey look, here's a good nobody talks about much, let's be different!"

Or something like that...

I wrote a very poor story on Steele in my early writing days for ESB. I would link it, but semi-embarrassing, ha.

That was Hopkins Golden Boy rated #1.

I honestly find more inspiration from looking at Harry Greb's record on a sheet of toilet paper. Check the rose tints. I'm an 80s baby.

[red cobra]

Originally Posted by Hands of Iron

Hey buddy, I completely agree.

You forgot to say "fixed"..

[the cobra]

8-12, probably.

[red cobra]

Originally Posted by SJS19

The Classic forum, where every MW Champion is a great, except for Bernard.

Every middle wasn't great, it's just that so many were better than Bernard.

[the cobra]

Originally Posted by red cobra

Every middle wasn't great, it's just that so many were better than Bernard.

And for those who are unaware, "so many," means about 5 or 6.

I got your back, red.