Billy Graham - Beautiful Boxing

Uncrouned Champ

 

One of the definitive examples of a fighter whom was both defensively responsible and skilled at an elite level & an owner of an iron chin. Very similar to James Toney in that regard. Even when you did break through their respective guards you had a uphill task ahead of you.

 

Well said!

 

Thanks for posting this clip of Billy Graham in action.

- Chuck Johnston

 

From 1950 to 1958, the WW Division was loaded with fighters just a hair breath away from each
other on the scorecards, depending how "on" they were on that particular night. Take Graham, Saxton,
Gavilan, Basilio, etc, and cross reference their records against opponents during that WW Division's timeframe and it is amazing how balanced it was. And give credit to the second tier guys to...Tiger Jones, Chico Vejar, Gaspar Ortega, etc.

 

Damn nice! I never watched him, though heard his name mentioned a lot. Beautiful boxer. Both defence and offence. Don't think I saw him block a punch in that clip, was all head and upper body movement. Beautiful!

 

Those are some low knockout percentages for elite guys: Graham 21%, Gavilan 20%, Basilio 34%, Saxton 32%

 

So? What was LaMotta's? It's down to the excellent competition of all the fighters you've mentioned.

 

I don't know, man. They fought a lot of guys who weren't elite and who they probably should have knocked out if they had any power. Sam Langford fought a lot of tough competition and has a 50% KO rate. Stanley Ketchel 80%, Marvin Hagler 78%, Tommy Gibbons 77%, Joe Louis 75%, JC Chavez 74%, Alexis Arguello 73%, Tommy Hearns 72%, Bob Fitzsimmons 71%, Gene Tunney 71%, Benny Leonard 70%, Jimmy Wilde 69%, Packey McFarland 67%, Michael Spinks 66%, Terry McGovern 65%, Sandy Saddler 64%, Eder Jofre 64%, Ray Leonard 63%, Roy Jones Jr 63%, Muhammad Ali 61%, Jose Napoles 61%, Archie Moore 60%, Roberto Duran 59%, Carlos Monzon 59%, Joe Gans 57%, Manny Pacquiao 56%, Ray Robinson 54%, Floyd Mayweather Jr 54%, Charley Burley 51%, Mickey Walker 50%, etc. A lot of guys had stiff competition. If you can crack you get KOs.

 

Bump.

Been getting into Billy Graham recently. Terrifically skilled. I must watch his Gavilan bouts.

At the moment, it seems to be Graham is one of the most underrated boxers ever. He could clean up today.

 

Not could. He would most definitely

 

Thanks for that clip RC. I love watching great technicians and Graham sure knew his way around a boxing ring.

 

Bumpity bump. Graham was awesome.