Is Tommy Gibbons' win over Harry Greb the greatest win in boxing history?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Nosferatu, Jun 26, 2023.


  1. Nosferatu

    Nosferatu Corbett's thong is my proudest fap banned Full Member

    453
    519
    Apr 29, 2023
    I'm referring to their second match in May 15, 1920. In this match, Gibbons handed Greb a whoopin that surprised the entire crowd and boxing world. Note that this was a prime Harry Greb, who's record between 1918-1922 was 105-1, and he had just come off of his incredible 1919 streak.

    Gibbons decisively beat a peak Greb. Even if he lost their third match later that year, that's still an insane feat nobody else accomplished. Do you think this win is often overlooked?
     
  2. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,932
    12,007
    Dec 17, 2018
    I think its overlooked, as is Tommy's run in general from debut up until his 1st ever defeat, in the third Greb fight.

    Greatest win in boxing history? Gibbons was naturally a little bigger than Greb and at 166lbs outweighed him by 1lb. Why would it be a greater win than that of the 147lbs Soilder Bartfield over a 15lbs heavier Greb from 2.5 years earlier?

    Both were 10 round newspaper decisions, Gibbons maybe ever so slightly wider (7-2 with 1 even vs 5-2 with 3 even, according to reports), but Bartfield was substantially smaller.
     
    Journeyman92 and cross_trainer like this.
  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

    114,868
    51,999
    Mar 21, 2007
    On the short list. I like teenage Langford over Barnstorming Gans myself (stomach trouble and all).
     
    cross_trainer likes this.
  4. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

    31,604
    38,897
    Jul 24, 2004
    Greb Tunney I was a more comprehensive beat down.

    I don't think we can leave Louis-Schmeling or Douglas-Tyson out of this conversation.
     
  5. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

    9,325
    9,756
    Nov 3, 2021
    Not. It's Jake LaMotta's win over Ray "Sugar" Robinson. I hope whoever beat the GOAT boxer first counts.
     
    Entaowed likes this.
  6. Nosferatu

    Nosferatu Corbett's thong is my proudest fap banned Full Member

    453
    519
    Apr 29, 2023
    Not only Greb was better in 1920 than he was in 1917, but the Gibbons fight was much more decisive when reading the newspapers. While Bartfield's win is impressive, there are still quite a few reports that favoured Greb
     
    Entaowed likes this.
  7. kingfisher3

    kingfisher3 Boxing Addict Full Member

    7,033
    2,269
    Sep 9, 2011
    the context speaks for it, but beating a guy for the second time doesn't seem to meet that very high criteria for me.

    anyone know what the odds were?
     
  8. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,932
    12,007
    Dec 17, 2018
    Fair enough.

    I consider a WW beating a 1917 Greb more difficult than a LHW beating a 1920 Greb.

    Tommy Gibbons had a vastly greater career than Soldier Bartfield, though, and I think he's often forgotten &/or underrated, so I won't push the issue.
     
    cross_trainer likes this.
  9. Nosferatu

    Nosferatu Corbett's thong is my proudest fap banned Full Member

    453
    519
    Apr 29, 2023
    I agree, Gibbons is rarely mentioned if Greb isn't mentioned. He is, IMO, one of the most impressive past boxers on film.
     
    Greg Price99 likes this.
  10. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

    12,364
    18,763
    Aug 26, 2017
    If it is ? Then what does that say about Soldier Bartfields win over Greb ? It was Grebs only loss in over 3 years ... And Greb had 14 pounds on him .. you guys are all missing the boat
     
    cross_trainer and Greg Price99 like this.
  11. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,932
    12,007
    Dec 17, 2018
    I'd already beaten you to it in this thread. I agree, a WW beating arguably the greatest MW & greatest p4p fighter of all time, whilst outweighed by 14.5lbs, is even greater than the brilliant LHW Tommy Gibbons beating the same guy 3-years later.
     
    cross_trainer likes this.
  12. dinovelvet

    dinovelvet Antifanboi Full Member

    63,432
    26,971
    Jul 21, 2012
    Tommy Gibbons was no better than Clinton Woods in terms of box talent
     
  13. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

    10,973
    5,470
    Feb 10, 2013
    Gibbons had a more consistent career, thats true, but I dont think he ever reached the heights Bartfield did. Consider this. Bartfield beat Greb, Jack Britton, Mike Gibbons, Ted Kid Lewis among several other title claimants and top contenders. He beat Greb and Gibbons, two of the greatest fighters in history in their primes. I dont think he won a series against any of the big names he beat but he has better scalps on his record than Tommy in my opinion. I would probably consider Bartfield's win over Greb, who was probably just entering his prime equal to Gibbons win over Greb in 1920.
     
    Greg Price99 likes this.
  14. Terror

    Terror free smoke Full Member

    3,252
    1,664
    Mar 22, 2010
    FOTC or Rumble in the Jungle for me.
     
  15. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

    5,932
    12,007
    Dec 17, 2018
    Yes, whilst Soldier Bartfield lost far too often for me to consider him as great as Tommy Gibbons, his best few wins arguably surpass those of Tommy, or indeed of most fighters in history.

    Yeah, from a P4P perspective, I consider Bartfield's win over Greb at least equal to either of Tommy's wins over the same.