Hey, guys, I am trying to learn more about boxing, but I am a college student and I find that I have somewhat limited time. I boxed as a teen and absolutely fell in love with the sport, and in particular I enjoyed watching the older greats. At the time I didn't have a computer though, so I was somewhat limited in selection. I remember watching anything that they would play on espn classic, and anywhere else. After they switched trainers at my gym I quit boxing and took up competitive strongman. At the time I wanted to eventually make it to the world's strongest man, but the guys have gotten so strong these days I don't think I will ever make that. Over the summer I was injured and am not really competitive right now so I have some extra time, and really wanted to learn more about boxing again. So... I will try to watch more and more fights and acquire more knowledge, right now I can't really keep up with the people here but I am a quick study. I figured it was kind of pointless to just introduce myself, so I picked out a match that I think would be fun. Mickey Walker vs. Ray Robinson. Personally, I don't think that Mickey Walker would have the speed of foot. I see him being controlled by the speed and skills of Robinson, and Robinson working out a decision win. That being said I think that Walker would push him all the way, land some good lefts, and make an exciting go of it all the way.
Not that it has much bearing on the outcome of the fight, but why is Robinson greater? A strong case can be made for Walker being the better fighter pound for pound.
The better fighter pound for pound? Certainly you can't make that case...that would be a very very difficult case to make. Based purely upon opponents beaten, I suppose you could make a case that he was greater. Welcome Bomber. Robinson, wide.
If you were to argue that Robinson was the better fighter pound for pound, then you might have to answer awkward questions such as who was the best heavyweight or best light heavyweight that Robinson beat.
Anyone else notice the similarities between Walker and Duran ? definitly there are some stylistic similarities.... I think Robinson vs Walker (maybe) it would be very similar to the first Leonard vs Duran fight....
Thanks for the warm welcome, when I thought of the match up I figured on it being closer... but I don't think there is a case for Walker winning it, unless he got lucky. Wasn't the best fight to pick. Question: I have a notion that Walker was successful at the higher weights in part because he was tough and hard hitting enough to fit there, but also in part because the opposition was slower of foot and hand. It looks to me like he might have had trouble with speedier fighters. Do you think this is accurate at all? (I haven't had the chance to see much of him yet, but I saw some of the Loughran fight and the Schmeling fight. I can't say I was impressed with his footwork or foot speed)
It's only semantics I think, but I would say "greater" is about what a fighter has achieved, "better" is about breaking down that fighter's skills and abilities. This being the case, Walker's performances against bigger fighters wouldn't make him "better" any more than his performances against smaller fighters would make him worse.
Welcome aboard, Bomber!:bbb At welterweight, I favor Robinson over Walker. This was not Mickey's best weight, although dethroning Britton for the title at 147 was a monstrous win for him at just 22 years of age. Mickey's WW resume is overlooked due in part to his incredible rise up the heavyweight ranks after relinquishing the MW Title. However, he blocked Dave Shade from getting to the welterweight title, and also successfully defended against Lew Tendler, two of the greatest non-champions the sport has ever produced. He actually leapfrogged Greb to challenge McTigue for the LHW Title first, and won the 12 round NWS, two years before wiping out Mike in one. (Imagine a reigning WW champion defeating the titleholder at 175 today.) However, Robby was older, more mature and evolved when he peaked at 147, and his height and reach advantages would offer some small refuge here. SRR is very obviously going the distance though, and very possibly has to climb off the deck at some point. This is the Toy Bulldog we're discussing, and Ray would have his hands full. Robinson might not want any part of the 30 year old pocket beast battering a prime future heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey against the ropes in this legendary sequence from 2:16 to 2:21 (Can anybody visualize Robby doing anything like this to Walcott or Charles? Sharkey would deck and batter the crap out of Carnera in his very next fight.): [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG__MBR7_48[/ame]
Despite what I just said about favoring Robby at 147, this is no kind of outlandish or outrageous conclusion. SRR didn't make a career out of fattening himself up on naturally bigger opponents. Mickey made himself a legend out of victimizing them. I wouldn't be enough of a fool to bet even a penny on Robinson prevailing. (Ask me tomorrow, and I may well agree with Walker chasing him out.)
That was an impressive display of punching power and aggression, especially for his size. I picked the match up originally because I thought it would be a war that would show case Robinson's skills and Walkers aggression. I still think that Robinson's foot work would have to carry the day, but can't count Walker out.