Its hard to say. Fitzsimmons pound for pound for sure but he never competed in era like Carnera's with real professional athletes, great trainers, gyms, better competition. The sport moved light years ahead in the 1930s from where it was in the 1890s. Bowling over semi pro bouncers, blacksmiths, and street toughs is a far cry from knocking out real, trained 190+ pound heavyweights. With all of that being said I also dont necessarily believe that a punch wins this fight. Call me crazy but I dont think Carnera was any worse a boxer than Jim Corbett and he may have been better. He also happened to be nearly 100 pounds of muscle heavier, could take a good punch from men a lot bigger than Fitzsimmons, had a good jab and was light on his feet for his size. I think if Carnera wanted to he could make a boring fight of it and outbox Fitzsimmons. Thats really how Carnera boxed anyway. He was pretty patient and was content to box. I think Fitzsimmons would have to really get lucky with a huge punch and make it stick to win. Im not sure he could do that, mostly because there are so many questions I personally have around the era he fought in.
Very interesting series of points .. not sure I agree with all but I thank you for the intelligent explanation of your thoughts. Certainly worth rethinking on my part.
I wish they were fighting today. I'd cop a bundle taking bets from all youse guys who favor Fitz! What kind of odds would you give me? (This is meant as a rhetorical question.)
I see a Dempsey-Willard style mismatch here. Carnea is a big target. I don't think Ruby Bob will have trouble finding him.
I would pick Fitz. I think he would get it done after an untidy, unsatisfactory, difficult number of rounds, some awful booming body shot probably. Who knows though, strange fight.