Greatest welterweight pre Robinson

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by janitor, Jul 25, 2010.


  1. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Most people on this site will agree that Ray Robinson was the greatest welterweight of all time and that another Ray is in contention for the No2 slot.

    What I want to know from you is who you think was the greatest welterweight before Robinson came allong.
     
  2. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    Barbados Joe Walcott.
     
  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    That would be my call.

    I am more than interested to see what other people think however.
     
  4. Surf-Bat

    Surf-Bat Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You can make strong cases for Joe Walcott and Jack Britton. Mickey Walker, Henry Armstrong and Jimmy McLarnin were such weight jumpers that it's hard to say what their best weight was(I lean towards middleweight for Walker).

    Barney Ross- great lightweight or great welter?
    Tommy Ryan- great welter or great middleweight?
     
  5. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Walcott is in poll position.
     
  6. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ryan or Armstrong for me. Britton runs them close though. Walcott is a bit behind those three.
     
  7. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    I think its pretty hard to judge, Britton has the amazing title dominance and the win over Walker past his prime, Walker beat him later but he was quite old by that stage. Walker and Armstrong have the multi-weight class successes although Walker has a few losses at WW and may not have been primed at the weight, Armstrong's probably too small to be 'the best' and I don't see any argument for Ross over Armstrong. Walcott's resume and wins over bigger men despite weighing in as a WW are mighty impressive but he has losses too.

    I think it has to be between Britton, Armstrong and Walcott, I'd lean towards Walcott/Britton
     
  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    So far Walcott and Armstrong are emerging as the favoured choices.

    Interestingly Ross has two votes.

    Britton is getting mentioned a lot but nobody is voting for him.
     
  9. klompton

    klompton Boxing Addict banned

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    no Mike Gibbons?
     
  10. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    He would be filed under the "other" option, preferably with an explaination.
     
  11. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Who rates higher between Britton and Lewis? Did either draw the colour line?
     
  12. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ross hands down. I even rank him over Robinson myself.
     
  13. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    :blood
     
  14. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Britton fought black oponents such as Canada Lee when he did not hold the title. The fact that he reigned in an era when most of the top welterweight contenders were white might mean that the issue of the colour bar never arose.
     
  15. TommyV

    TommyV Loyal Member banned

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    I voted Walcott aswell, but wanted to vote Britton. Amazed that he hasn't received a single vote. He's the only other one of the list that I feel I could vote for.