Marciano gets credit for cleaning out his era for me. He did not skip a Harry Wills or many of the title holders for Holmes.
I was seriously thinking of appointing Jack Dempsey, and allowing people to vote for him, but I'm unfortunately limited to 10 names ... I'd post more boxers.
I think to add to your point we consider context when judging a fighter, If say Zarate did have a cold against Gomez that lessens the value of the win and the shame in defeat. Should we not enhance the value of Jack's reign based on the fact he was literally in a hostile country on the verge of suicide the entire time? I think it's fair he had people sneaking into his room at night to shoot him... He may have suffered more stress, restlessness and anxiety then any champion before or after him.
He also did it at the end of the session no wonder he was such a specimen. He chopped wood for crying out loud, WOOOD! do you know how hard a tree is?
The day someone figures out how to do a wood-chopping pushup is the day the heavyweight division will tremble.
I can chop wood one handed, easier then you'd expect honestly. Maybe, I could do a jumping one armed push up and line the axe up with the wood on the way down? I don't think I could produce enough force on the way down.... Would you be impressed if I chopped a small twig?
(American Psycho monologue) My name is Journeyman92. I'm 27 years old. I believe in taking care of myself with a balanced blueberry and steak juice diet and a rigorous functional wood chopping routine. In the morning if my face is a little cuttable I'll soak it in urine while tossing hay bails. I can do 1000 now. After I reapply more urine I like to chew brine for my jaw muscles. In the sauna I shadowbox till I can make weight, I believe in being leaner and meaner I must make 175lbs today. I apply my wraps carefully and warm up for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use my own urine with little or no water content , because alcohol dries your face out and makes you less cuttable...