Could either of the Gibbons bros have beaten Langford?

Oh, I don't rate Mr. Compton's ability to rationalise his viewpoint highly.

He does have a lot of print from this era, though. So this may represent an opportunity to educate me. Were documented, entire career records available during or shortly after the era? If so, where? Please note, you posted "of the day" originally, and not "before the last few years".

 

Ever hear of the Everlast record book? The Police Gazette Annual? T. S. Andrews Sporting Almanac? The Spalding Almanac? The Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, Chicago Tribune, Pittsburgh Post, and Cleveland Plain Dealer all annually published widely read sports almanacs that included records of the top boxers. It was fairly common to publish the records of fighters before a big fight in the local papers. Mike and Tommy Gibbons both kept meticulous records of their fights and used them to promote themselves by sending them out to the press.


So I would ask the question again: Which specific fights do you think were missing from the record that suddenly popped up again in the late 20th century or early 21st century that would move the needle from the prevailing wisdom that Mike was the better fighter?


I guess its conceivable that Tommy fought some ham and egger in some backwater and it went by unnoticed until years later but would that really outweigh Mikes accomplishments? Its not like Gibbons beating a past it Carpentier or Norfolk was overlooked by anyone.


The problem I see is that Mikes got a great record and most of his great wins were accomplished when his opponents were in their prime. Tommy has some wins that look great on paper but were typically accomplished when the opponent wasnt in his prime. Outside of Tommys two wins over Harry Greb and his win over Battling Levinsky his resume drops off significantly to B and C level opposition or fighters like Carpentier and Norfolk who were both pretty much finished when Tommy got them. Mike had victories over prime greats like Jimmy Clabby, Jack Dillon, Eddie McGoorty, Jeff Smith, Leo Houck, Ted Kid Lewis, and Harry Greb and that doesnt even scratch the surface of the top contender types that he defeated.

 

Christ, I'm not reading all that on a Saturday night.

Are you Steve Compton?

 

I guess thats your only retort when backed into a corner.

 

Oh, yawn, Steve. Different username, same man, eh? What a shame you've learnt nothing from your ban.

P.s. what an embarrassment. I'm 43, you're significantly older than me, and yet a man of your advanced years can't keep your emotions under control sufficiently to comply with the guidelines of reasonable adult discourse on a website. Like a child, you're banned because you can't play nice.

 

Arent you too busy on a saturday night to be posting here Greg

 

Night away with the Mrs. We have a 2 year old daughter. So busy, but the passion has subsided to the extent that I'm not so busy to check in on here, Steve. You?

 

Im not really interested in your personal life. Im here to discuss boxing.

 

My apologies, Steve. Though, you did enquire.