Do We Have A Consensus Number 1 All Time Light Heavyweight?

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Bob Fitzsimmons in reality would be deserving of the title, true Cornish Granite.

 

Charles at the top of "modern List"....with Moore, Spinks & Foster close behind (no particular order)
Note: Charles in the 70's/ early 80's Lightheavy Golden era would have been interesting to see if he could run the gauntlet totally unscathed.

Greb /Tunney both very good also.

 

I would say Ezzard Charles. I think H2H he would be a tough out for anyone at that weight but also his resume is impeccable. Spinks was also a great champion at that weight. Bob Foster was dominating but his opposition wasn't quite as good that those guys. Archie Moore was a fine Light Heavyweight Champion but he was also well past his prime when he finally got the title. Not his fault. I don't think I can rate him over Charles.

 

I would only rank those that reached the pinnacle of the division as worlds champion. Fighting at that weight and being successful vs actually winning the worlds championship are distinctly different. Old school it was Philadelphia Jack Obrien. Modern thought Moore, Foster or Spinks. Foster with his rapier jab and one punch KO power would be my choice.

 

Sam Langford for me, Charles next, perhaps.

 

Langford always overlooked. He beat many of the big boys of his era.

 

There's no consensus.

I'd probably say Sam Langford.
It depends how you rank fighters in divisions though. For me, as long as a fighter is inside the weight I would include him in that division. If his opponent is HEAVIER than the limit that doesn't preclude the fighter who is inside, if anything it's a credit.
Langford was often 175 and less in his prime years, around 1909 to 1913, and beating all the top fighters all the way to heavyweights. Jack Johnson didn't fancy fighting him again at that stage.
Langford was one hell of a light heavyweight, perhaps the best fighter pound for pound too!

 

The bout was not for the lt hwt title however.

 

Charles by a mile.

Only other realistic option is Jones but I would go with Charles myself.

 

Greb

 

This is a division that is really hard to call who's the clear cut best of all time, the top fighters are all sort of interchangeable with each other


Charles
Foster
Spinks
Fitzsimmons
Harry Greb
Archie Moore
Qawi

 

No order
Bob foster
M spinks
Archie moore