Who Was The Most Complete Fighter At the Original 8 Weights?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mcvey, May 27, 2016.

  1. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Which single boxer was the most complete fighter in the original 8 weights?
    As in my selections:

    Hvy Joe Louis
    LHvy Ezzard Charles
    M Ray Robinson
    W Ray Robinson
    L Benny Leonard
    F ?????????
    B Eder Jofre
    Fly Benny Lynch

    I don't mean the one who would necessarily win,if pitted against the others.I mean the one who,had the most complete set of skills ie.
    Power
    Boxing ability
    Defence
    Punch variety
    Chin
    Etc

    For example I pick Ali,Johnson ,and Dempsey to beat Louis.
    It's a bit different to P4P where I pick Harry Greb as number one and also at middleweight.
    Thoughts?
     
  2. Mr.DagoWop

    Mr.DagoWop Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    In terms of completeness Sugar Ray Robinson blows everyone else out of the water. Any situation and he could adapt. Lamotta is the only fighter to truly pose problems for Robinson.
     
  3. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Thank you and I agree, but I'm looking for 8 ,as in one in each original division.
     
  4. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Leonard (147) and Hagler (160) each deserve at least honorable mention.
     
  5. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    If they are your choices they do,But I'm looking for one in each division.
     
  6. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    My list, with all new names:
    Holmes
    Spinks
    Hagler
    SRL
    Whitaker
    Sanchez
    ?
     
  7. jowcol

    jowcol Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Greetings DagoWop!
    Not really, Ray lost a decision to Lamotta early in his career giving away a lot of pounds, then, basically ran the table on him 2-3 weeks later? My gosh, 14-21 days later??? Let the modern boys ponder 12 fights a year for 12 years. :D
    Ray always said "I can always beat Jake, I just have to show up in shape"
    It's a shame that there still aren't only 8 weight classes (OK, add Cruiser to the list) with ONE sanctioned body.
     
  8. Confucius

    Confucius Active Member Full Member

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    I'd have trouble with the inclusion of Whitaker in this group. He was a defensive specialist and probably a bit lacking in firepower to earn the label "most complete" at a given weight.
     
  9. Mr.DagoWop

    Mr.DagoWop Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Each fight was competitive the way I saw it. Lamotta knocked down Ray a couple times while Ray knocked down Lamotta 0 times.
     
  10. Mr.DagoWop

    Mr.DagoWop Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Oh...my bad lol

    HW - Joe Louis
    LHW - Ezzard Charles
    MW - Marvin Hagler
    WW - Ray Robinson
    LW - Benny Leonard
     
  11. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Yeah, that's a fair point. Hector Camacho isn't as great but he probably would have been a better nod.
     
  12. Confucius

    Confucius Active Member Full Member

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    At lightweight, I've never seen a more complete fighter than Duran - and it's not close. And frankly, I've never seen a more complete fighter than Duran at any weight. I think his machismo and "hands of stone" persona really over-shadowed what a technical virtuoso he was.
     
  13. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'd have Sanchez at featherweight.
     
  14. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Duran's up there. Possibly the greatest lightweight of all time. That being said, I consider Camacho to be more "complete" because of his footwork and mobility.
     
  15. Confucius

    Confucius Active Member Full Member

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    Camacho had the quicker feet and hands, but I think Duran's overall boxing skill was superior. But Camacho is a good choice. He's a guy whose "image" kind of overshadowed his actual substance. Before Rosario shook him and his future grandchildren, he was a versatile and complete fighter.