Armstrong was pretty much over the hill when they fought, how do you think the fight would have gone down if Hank was in his prime? Would it have gone different or would it have gone down the same?
Well if Armstrong was at his peak Ray would have fought differently. Robinson idolized Henry and didn't want to fight him. He had to though to get Armstrong a last big payday. Sugar Ray carried Henry Armstrong the distance doing just enough to win without hurting his hero. A few writers caught on from ringside. With Robinson punching with bad intentions I think he stops Hank in the mid to late rounds. Sugar Ray was too fast and powerful to walk into like Hank did unless you had a natural size advantage. Probably a good fast fight with Ray slightly ahead when he finds one of those lefthooks on the sweet spot. Sweet as Sugar.
Armstrong avoided a lot of tough guys in his prime that he wouldn't fight. Jack Dempsey, said "Newspapers make champions not the fighters."
It's definitely disputed who is the GOAT and I don't think that SRR even has the best case. Give me Langford's and Greb's resume over his. Armstrong also has a case.
Disputed. I agree Robinson always always beats Armstrong though, disaster for him. Well, you could argue when Robinson was a very green lightweight, he fights prime Armstrong and doesn't like it, but generally.
Ok, not gonna argue with that. For me, SRR is untouchable. If we had any footage of Greb, perhaps I might change my mind, but we don't, so I can't.
Hate is a big word. I don't like his style, but I don't hate the man. He's in my top 10, just not no. 1
Armstrong wasn't anywhere near as far past his best as often made out. Since his losses to Zivic, he'd beaten Willie Joyce, Sammy Angott, Tippy Larkin, Lew Jenkins, Juan Zurita and Zivic in a rubber match. Doesn't sound like someone who was shot, to me. Sure, the loss to Jack is probably indicative of where he'd slipped to, bit the fact he was still good enough to beat various lower-tier all-time greats shows he wasn't close to being shot IMO. That said, he got absolutely NOWHERE with Robinson. He was too small, too slow and just not good enough. I don't think reverting him back to the form he was in for the Ross fights would change that. He'd do better - and stylistically, he's perfect to beat Robinson - but he won't ever win IMO. I doubt anyone below middleweight does. Although the fighter I'd give the best chance to is actually a lightweight, and who I regard as the best fighter ever. Duran.
We're talking a a CLASSIC bout here definitely ! I see Robinson's more varied work ensuring victory for him. SRR by decision.
So in your opinion Duran is the GOAT ?! Or is he the best ever, meaning the best in terms of peak form ?! Which one were you referring too ?