Rex Layne vs Luis Firpo

I find it difficult to believe that Layne suddenly turned up a peak effort against Charles considering that he was on the downhill slide of his career. Even in his best performances, Layne lacked accuracy and made up for it with sheer workrate which may have impressed some viewers.

Don't give much credibility to Hurley's scorecard, the manager of a man who had beaten Layne in his previous fight and one who was never known for his eyesight nor lack of bias, although Fleischer's does hold some water.

As for Dempsey's scorecard, it was absurd without a doubt. 7 rounds even? One round for Charles? Even by reading you can deduce that this kind of scorecard is not possible. Charles's manager Mintz protested the decision but I can't believe he threw Charles in there with Layne in the latter's hometown with one of his good friends as a referee and the only judge, especially after having criticized the previous loss to Walcott on the basis of a "connected" judge.

 

Well Bonavena was far superior to Firpo, I don't think anyone would say otherwise, despite Bonavena being crude. They're worlds apart in crudeness & skill. I can't even envision Firpo winning a round against Ali in all honesty. You call Layne terribly slow, but was Firpo really faster than Layne? I don't think so. Yes, it can be said that Walcott, Charles, and Louis were past their best. It's said all the time, it's a cliche' detraction against Marciano.

My point on Willis stands. He was clearly past it and beat Firpo (In a boring fight from what I've read). I don't see Firpo having much chance besides punchers luck against Charles & Walcott.

I'll give you Firpo being a tough matchup for Layne. HHowever, Layne was far better, and that's why he had the success he had against Walcott & Charles. Layne-Dempsey would be interesting, too.

 

Firpo's crudeness is over rated . He did a number on Brennan. Most importantly put Jack Dempsey on the floor three times and the face first Layne had nowhere near the chin, speed, defense or power of Dempsey. It's not a matter of Firpo winning a round against Ali ... it's matching him up against a smaller, slower, weaker, one handed, easy to hit opponent. Layne had a style to give more trouble to small, faded heavyweights but his own style plays into Firpo's hands. In addition, if you can make a case for Wills being faded (without any footage to go on) it's not cliche but fact to say the same about the shopworn Charles and Walcott.

Do you think Layne fights on even terms with the Charles who fought Louis or the Walcott who first challenged Louis years earlier ? I don't. Both would have beaten him easily. I feel a prime Dempsey stops Layne in two or three tops ...

 

People kind of Judge Layne on his post Marciano career, Marciano virtually ruined him with that one punch KO. Layne was a tough rugged guy and his win over Satterfield proved that. Firpo was strong, could punch and was a big guy. I think Layne was a better fighter, could probably hit just as hard as Firpo and Layne actually had some good wins over credible opponents, Firpo is known for his losses.....Layne wins

 

Layne's resume is nothing special either.
He beat Walcott, but loads of other guys beat Walcott.

 

Layne by KO, a much more skilled operator

 

Walcott and Charles don't have much of a bearing in this case unless we are arguing achievement which Layne has on Firpo obviously. Ultimately, this would just be a crazy ass brawl. Given Layne's proven durability, stamina, and late power against Satterfield, I'll favor him in this match up.

 

Absolutely. In terms of proven KO ability and the victims on his list, Satterfield is elite. Firpo not sure on, though he could certainly hit.

 

None.
But Layne barely beat those two, and both of them would barely get into most top 20s.
Layne also LOST to more nobodies than Firpo did.

 

I agree with this.

Satterfield is the more proven puncher against elite competition.