Who Was The Greatest Champion???

And then when it came time to step up and mix it with the big dogs, he had to unify against KEITH HOLMES and the most hyped HBO fighter of all-time.

 

Armstrong
Louis
Robinson
Archie Moore

 

Armstrong for me, just incredible.

 

Louis is top 3 for sure and no argument from me as # 1

 

#1 Ray Robinson

#2 Joe Louis
#3 Ali
#4 Mike Tyson

 

Tell you who's worth a mention, johnny kilbane at featherweight. He ruled for a very long time.

Benny leonard probably, as champ, faced the best field of contenders within the division's history.

Neither would be my number 1 choice but both are worth a mention.

 

No Longevity, or skills to compare with those mentioned, but so far as champions go, Tommy Burns i think deserves a mention.

He defended his title against teh best fighters from each major organisation including Australia, Britain and America, fought regularly and disregarded the colour line. If every great followed in his footsteps, we would all be a lot happier.

 

For my money it has to be Jack Dempsey (7 years & fought EVERYONE), Hugo Corro is an interesting alternative and of course Duran deserves a mention.

Had he not been screwed by society we would probably be discussing Tony Ayala's credentials as well!

I am hoping that Frankenfrank chimes in....he should make a good case for Oliver McCall.

 

god I hope you're taking the ****

 

Sven Ottke.

 

:rofl

 

Having close calls and shaky moments and fighting through them is the mark of a champion IMV. Joe Louis got off the canvas many times to win. That to me is what being a champion is.

 

Id like to give Marvin Hagler a mention. He was the definition of what a champion should be.

 

No i am not.

Tommy won the recognised title by beating Marvin Hart. He Fought Philadelphia Jack O Brien and unified the titles (a few gave O Brien the title based on his win over the last lineal champion. He flew to England and beat their best fighters to make sure noone in Europe had a claim. He did the same in Australia. And when he had unified all of those titles, he paid no attention whatsoever to the colour line and defended against the coloured champion.

He obviously wasnt the greatest fighter ever, though as one of only two light heavyweights ever to fight in and win a World championship, he has legacy value. I am very interested. AS a champion what do you say Tommy should have done better?