Rating the light heavyweights

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Manassa, Jan 21, 2013.


  1. Manassa

    Manassa - banned

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    One of the more confusing weight classes for me. I normally say lightweight is the deepest but you could certainly argue that 175lbs is #1 - or second.

    Consensus is that Ezzard Charles is top of the tree. Is this sensible? I believe so, but not by a massive margin.

    A case for Langford? Tunney? Moore or Spinks for #2?

    Spinks is a tough one. Short career, but domination of a very solid era, then a big step up to take the heavyweight title.

    The really underrated ones are Billy Conn, Tommy Gibbons, Tommy Loughran and John Henry Lewis. Does Bob Foster deserve to be rated above those?

    Greb beat so many good light heavyweights that it seems silly to rate him less than #3.

    Roy Jones, anyone?

    Fitzsimmons may have been the world's best light heavyweight at one point but my own pound-for-pound rating of him has more to do with his exploits across the divisions.

    Help.
     
  2. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    After my recent revaluation of Langford he sits at tenth on my list. I would put it but I'm away from my computer.

    It's something like

    Charles
    Moore
    Greb
    Tunney
    Conn
    spinks
    Rosenbloom
    Jones
    Langford
    Foster


    I think it's that anyways. Gibbons and Loughran are banging on the door though.
     
  3. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Jones' resume stinks at the weight. Saad's ledger is much better, if not also much spottier.

    If we're ranking Jones on ability then there are others a notch below in sheer talent but had much better records at the weight.
     
  4. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    I don't think his resume is too bad. I do think his achievements were amazing. I think skill wise he is the best in the division. Saad isn't far behind though, I think he was in the tied below.
     
  5. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Physical attributes? Yes (but he did test hot let's not forget)

    Achievements? Did he beat the no.2 in the division? Did he beat Maske/Rocchi/Dariusz?

    No. Longevity and many defences of a trinket against no-hopers? Check.

    Bloody good and top ten at a push if you're ranking on an achievement/ability basis I guess. But his ring record at the weight is not great. It's decent.
     
  6. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    Well that's where I have, bottom end of my top ten. Yeah he could have achieved more by beating DM, I think masks retired before he was a force in the division and didnt rocchigiani turn the fight down and prefer court instead?

    His resume is good I agree there. I think his achievements are great though unifying 4 of 5 belts, top class longevity, a reputation as a h2h superman, then defeating his nearest rival in tarver when past his best.

    Bottom end of top ten seems fair to me.
     
  7. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    I wasn't blaming Roy for any of those fights. Just that he can't get credit for 'em either.

    And yeah, fair do's. I will add that unifying 4 of 5 belts means nothing to me.

    Yes, the Tarver win! Forgot about that. And he was leaps and bounds above Woods, still decent Hill etc etc

    Meh, 8-10 is fine, I begrudgingly concede.
     
  8. the_bigunit

    the_bigunit Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I've never made a divisional ranking, myself. But I thought Loughran would've been a lock?
     
  9. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    He's banging on the door... Infact I'm back home now I can post my list.
     
  10. Manassa

    Manassa - banned

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    Anyone have a definitive top three?

    1. Charles
    2. Moore
    3. Langford

    That's what I was thinking anyway.
     
  11. Boilermaker

    Boilermaker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    More than any other division, i dont think that there is a definitive top 3.

    This one really does seem to have more first tier fighters than any other, but no actual out and out standouts.

    realistically, it is a little surprising that Greb hasnt earned consideration at all here. it is really tough.
     
  12. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    charles
    moore/foster
    roy jones
     
  13. I am tyler

    I am tyler Member Full Member

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    My top 3 does change, but normally always Charles number 1.

    1. Ezzard Charles
    2. Gene Tunney
    3. Archie Moore
     
  14. I am tyler

    I am tyler Member Full Member

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    My current personal list is as follows:

    1. Ezzard Charles
    2. Gene Tunney
    3. Archie Moore
    4. Michael Spinks
    5. Bob Foster
    6. Maxie Rosenbloom
    7. Tommy Loughran
    8. Billy Conn
    9. Sam Langford
    10. Harold Johnson
     
  15. timmers612

    timmers612 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    4653384]My c


























    urrent personal list is as follows:

    1. Ezzard Charles
    2. Gene Tunney
    3. Archie Moore
    4. Michael Spinks
    5. Bob Foster
    6. Maxie Rosenbloom
    7. Tommy Loughran
    8. Billy Conn
    9. Sam Langford
    10. Harold Johnson[/quote]

    Nice list. I've wondered why Maxie is left off almost all of boxing historians top ten LH lists. A case can be made for listing Greb at LH.