Dempsey vDon Co^kell?

another example would be Levi Billups who had a 16-5 record when he L10 decision to then 18-0 Lennox Lewis

Billips was already Stopped by Orlin Norris KO1, Mike White KO5,Lionel Washington KO8, Michael Moorer KO3, after going the distance with Lennox Lewis, Billups was KO'd in 1 RD by Corrie Sanders

 

No I get it very well, Glandular fever and surplus fat gave him a 10 fight win streak, among his victims were Tommy Farr,Johnny Williams, Johnny Arthur,Roland Lastarza and Harry Mathews 2X and even though he took a bad beating from Marciano he was gallantly courageous

Dempsey may have gotten to him quicker but Kockel was plucky so you never know

 

Just stepping outside of the debate for a post,

boxing seems to be the only sport where this sort of argument is made,

at least of any sport popular in America.

I have never heard anyone criticize a Super Bowl champion because somewhere along the line they lost to a team with a losing record. Nor do we get anyone probing the record of that team to find the worst team they lost to and on down the line.

In other words, the worst performance of a champion, and then the worst performance of the champions' opponents, etc.

In the NFL or NBA or major league baseball, the best are judged by overall performance and consistency, and winning the big ones.

I never heard an argument like sure the Yankees won the World Series, but they were swept in a series in July by team X which finished 7th.

Or sure the Cowboys won the Super Bowl, but they were beaten by team Y with a losing record in October.

Only boxing fans seem to like this argument.

 

Boxing is not a team sport, it's an individual sport.

In boxing the talent is very un-even. In team sports there is much more parity and balance.

In team sports, they have to play for a champion by defeating the best every year. In boxing this almost never happens. WBA tourney and The Super 8 are rare examples. Most boxing champions do not face the #1 or #2 contender every year.

The best team sport champions have dynasties. In boxing they have long title runs. Being undefeated in a team or individual sport is very rare.

 

Lastarza had A class boxing skills. Watch the tape on him. He could box and counterpunch with the best of them.

 

Maybe he didn't and maybe he didn't .I think the jury is still out on that one and BTW he wasn't knocked cold. - McVey

When you have no memory of what happened, you were out cold or severely beaten. This one ended quickly. There is some BS that Dempsey took a dive. Not buying it.

 

Don C*ckell's bringing hell's fury into that ring...War C*ckell.

 

I will forever be mystified by those who claim Lastarza's greatness... or even goodness. I don't see it in his record or on film.

 

average boxer? you're kidding me right? While I think his resume leaves a lot to be desired, the man could clearly box very well. Great defense, especially blocking punches, he had textbook skills, he threw nice fluid punches, high ring IQ. A very good counterpuncher.

 

Yes he is better