Very hard for me, Lach and Greg to narrow down. Will be the Classic topic on the podcast, looking forward to hearing opinions. Oh, and I'll probably be playing Devil's advocate here, not just questioning every single opinion people have.
No particular order SRR Greb Hagler Hopkins RJJ I’m not as big a fan of the MWs as I am the HWs so take my list with a grain of salt
Cheers for replying, just some points/queries. Greb is a lock, no arguments from me there. Hagler is also crazy high, but I'm not sure how high. Who do think would turn the trick here? I'd pick Monzon, Greb and Hopkins but not too many others. Hopkins may get you some flack, but I'm sympathetic here; I like him to beat both Monzon and Hagler. Who would you favour over him? And/or who would you favour him over? Robinson ran hot and cold throughout his middleweight run, but in his absolute prime he was awesome. Although he was a tad small, and a combination of hittable, out-jabable and out-workable. How do you think he fairs against Greb, Jones, Hagler ect. Did you consider Monzon, LaMotta or Fitzsimmons? Also, EZZARD. CHARLES.
Griffith is the most underrated fighter in history. At his best he could fight with anyone evenly. Monzon and Robinson are better than Greb I believe head to head and beat him. I know all of Greb' history, but believe these 2 are better head to head.
Same routine, first up: No Greb? Is that a lack of footage thing? I'm liking the Hopkins > Monzon and Hagler thing again, but I'm not sure I'm inclined to completely agree. You got a rough list of who beats who, off the top of your head? Love the Steele mention, but I'm not sure I agree. I pondered him myself, but is he a lock over Greb and Fitzsimmons? If you're only going off guys who was can watch, how about LaMotta, Tiger, Jones ect. I don't agree with Robinson at #1, but obviously it's arguable and I've seen you talk excessively about Robinson and the St. Valentine's Day massacre; certainly enough to know I'm out of my depth, so I'll agree to disagree.
I'm seeing a pattern here. Is this in order? If so, I'd love to know how you came about putting Hopkins at #1.
Edited my post for clarity. I almost put Fitz in there, but his style makes it really hard to say how a fight would play out. There is such a difference in styles, rules and equipment, that I just threw my hands up and gave up with Fitz I also know you don't like my RJJ pick George
Greb: Aye, never seen him fight, not confident ranking him h2h. Surely there are intricacies that matter. Fitz: style changed enormously between MW and HW i think, again, I haven't seen him. LaMotta: I think every quality fighter that can riff would beat him. All of them. He's got a stylistic issue. Tiger: See above. Struggled with boxers, even those of his own era - he's the guy who would smash LaMotta and Lytell but lose to Leonard and Sergio Martinez. Jones: Very inexperienced at MW. Not an awful call though. I'd pick Hopkins to beat both Hagler and Monzon and Monzon to beat Hagler I think.
I did consider those three. I don’t know enough of Monzon but his record is amazing and pre 30s is tough for me. Greb made it on resume alone. Fitz is a guy who could compete in any era but like I say about most 30s greats they’d probably have to change their style. Being heads up concept I like my choices but Monzon deserves a spot as well. Maybe over SRR. Hopkins i find is underrated. But I could be biased for Hopkins just because I was a big fan.