Where does Harry Greb rank in the pantheon of great light heavyweighs

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by janitor, Aug 20, 2009.


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  1. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Let me open by saying that I consider the main body of Harry Greb's resume to be at light heavyweight not middleweight. In all Grb defeated an incredible fourteen light heavyweight champions.

    There has been recent discusion about how Greb was unfairly denied a shot at the heavyweight title but I believe that his claim for a shot at the light heavyweight title was even stronger. Greb was clearly the best light heavyweight on the planet from 1920-1924 and not by a small margin over part of that period. The period that I have identified covers the title reigns of Georges Carpintier, Battling Siki and Mike McTigure and it is hard to imagine any of them sucesfully defending their title against the Pitsburgh Windmill.

    It is my contention that in adition to being a pound for pound great Harry Greb should be recognised as a top five all time light heavyweight. If you think you can find five fighters with better resumes at light heavyweight I would love to see you try but I don't think you will be able to.
     
    janitor, Aug 20, 2009
    janitor, Aug 20, 2009
    #1
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    You are quite right that he should be recognised for his achievments at this weight and you are right to say that he has a resume to match or better almost all of them - it's got to be said thought that there appears to have been only a little interest in his getting a shot at this particular title in the press...Greb himself was in pursuit of the Middleweight belt (And universally recognised as #1 challanger to the point that when New York stripped Wilson they bestowed a sort of proto-type "interim" title upon him) and seemed to spend his spare time calling out Demspey...I don't doubt that he was interested in the 175lb belt but it was third on his list of priorities unquestionably.

    Maybe that's what has led to the "lag".

    I've been guilty of underating him at this weight. I'd rate him higher now than even 4 weeks ago. I'd have trouble ranking him above Langford, Moore and Charles for starters. Foster and Tunney can comfortably be in front of him too in my opinion, but not judging by your criteria. He's proven.
     
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
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  3. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    How about H2H guys? Would you favour him to swarm Foster and not allow him to get his range, and for Greb's proven chin to keep him away from being stopped?

    What about against a seriously good technician like Charles?

    I have massive respect for Greb. Shame there's no footage, pretty much 'the holy grail' of boxing :good
     
    Flea Man, Aug 20, 2009
    Flea Man, Aug 20, 2009
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  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Incidently, his two very best performances might be at 175, the first win against Tunney and the outpointing of Gibbons a couple of months before. The Gibbons fight seems to have been the one that made him into a superstar. He was not expected to win that fight.
     
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
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  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Foster might have the physical ability to stop Greb but I wouldn't expect it to happen...Greb could win. Foster should be favoured.

    I think Greb would be very bad trouble for Charles.

    What all was filmed? Anyone? Was it just the two Flowers fights and Walker? For sure I mean...none of the Wilson fights filmed?
     
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    #5
  6. Maxmomer

    Maxmomer Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Based on resume I'd have him in the top 5.
     
    Maxmomer, Aug 20, 2009
    Maxmomer, Aug 20, 2009
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  7. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    Well, nothing has survived and ANYTHING would be welcome. The training footage is staged and not indicative of the true regime Greb went through IMO.

    McGrain who is the guy that Langford knocks over with a looping left hook in one of the few clean shots o his available? Guy kinda' staggers back to the (camera's) right hand side of the ring and goes down?
     
    Flea Man, Aug 20, 2009
    Flea Man, Aug 20, 2009
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  8. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Just to point out that the guy had one eye for these two fights :lol:
     
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
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  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Well you never know. Time IS running out on the film though, if it is lying somewhere. It's time is up sometime next decade.
     
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
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  10. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Apparently Greb-Tunney I was also filmed...man. I think the best bet would be the footage of the Flowers fights which were in the film that was made about Flowers, The Life Of Tiger Flowers. But I guess it's not likely now.
     
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    #10
  11. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Offers were put up to match Greb with Carpintier for the light heavyweight title and Carpintier was clearly having none of it.
     
    janitor, Aug 20, 2009
    janitor, Aug 20, 2009
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  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Can't say I blame him...that would have been embarrassing. At a guess Greb would pick up the title in even a NWS decision fight...
     
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    #12
  13. My2Sense

    My2Sense Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I have him in the bottom half of my top 10.
     
    My2Sense, Aug 20, 2009
    My2Sense, Aug 20, 2009
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  14. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Do you think that Tunney and Foster beat better competition than Greb at light heavyweight?

    I think that when we match their compretition Greb will have a clear lead.
     
    janitor, Aug 20, 2009
    janitor, Aug 20, 2009
    #14
  15. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Definitely not. Based upon resume he is in the top 5.
     
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    McGrain, Aug 20, 2009
    #15
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