Is there any good reason why I shouldn't rate bob fitzsimmons as the goat?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by lufcrazy, Apr 26, 2011.


  1. willmc83

    willmc83 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    It's a tough call, I'll make an analogy with another sport if I may. For most of the second half of the 20th century and indeed to this day many people feel that Christy Ring was the greatest hurler to ever live- [ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christy_Ring[/ame]

    He retired as an inter county hurler in 1963 and unfortunately there is very little footage of him playing. In more recent years some have argued that DJ Carey and Henry Shefflin are better than Ring, unfortunately it's very difficult to prove either case as there is so little footage available of Ring and most of those who saw him during his peak are now dead and unable to compare him with modern players like Carey and Shefflin.

    Whilst boxing may not suffer from such a drastic shortgage of video footage, it does suffer none the less and I think it's incredibly difficult to make a call on who was the goat when there's very few recordings available of the early fighters.
     
  2. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yes, I did. I didn´t mean you especially and clearified that later.

    I agree with the first part, not so much with the second but that´s just me.
     
  3. Pachilles

    Pachilles Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Marciano looks as good as Monzon does on film, imo
     
  4. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah, about right. Neither looks special to me though. But that has to do with their style I think.
     
  5. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    wow. thanks abunch for the armstrong info! what was i thinking having him outside of my top 5?
     
  6. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    This is very impressive. I just don't like it when people pick him to knockout men like Jack Dempsey and Joe Louis.
     
  7. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Why? Because of his size? I mean, he hanged in there with people of similar enough class. And quite successfully.
     
  8. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    Lineal HW champions and other all time greats do knock each other out. It has been known to happen on occasion
     
  9. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    I wouldn't pick him to beat either at hw.
     
  10. Ted Spoon

    Ted Spoon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    No doubt Fitzsimmons could drop either, but to bet against them rising and returning the favour with interest is a little left of field.
     
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  11. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    yeah i'd envision him having some success early on, but to walk away with a victory? can't see it.
     
  12. LenHarvey

    LenHarvey Active Member Full Member

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    Interesting old thread this.. worth bumping
     
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  13. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He's my #6:

    1. SRR
    2. Greb
    3. Langford
    4. Armstrong
    5. Charles
    6. Fitz

    I could see any of my top 4 as the GOAT, but no one any lower, based on my criteria. So, for me, as insane Bob's HW record is for a natural MW, he doesn't have the scale or quality of ATGs beaten thaat my top 5 do.

    That notwithstanding, it is refreshing to see Fitz get his dues on this thread, I can't recall any all time lists that rank him higher than I do, whilst most either rank him lower or not at all. His achievements are well worth a top 10 slot, imo.
     
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  14. OddR

    OddR Active Member Full Member

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    Interesting stuff.
     
  15. LenHarvey

    LenHarvey Active Member Full Member

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    Think you nailed it here mate:

     
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