which fighters were one win away from being the goat?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by goat15, Mar 31, 2011.


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  1. goat15

    goat15 Active Member Full Member

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    do you ever look at a fighter's resume and think 'if only he had somehow got that win, he would have been the greatest'?

    they don't even have to have been particularly close to winning the fight, but they do have to have had the fight (so not fighters who could have fought someone but didn't).

    a few to get you thinking... what if ali had beaten holmes? what if duran had beaten hagler? what if moore had beaten marciano? if armstrong had beaten robinson somehow, he surely would have been the consensus greatest.

    i'm not saying any of these guys would have been the greatest for sure had they won those fights (except maybe armstrong), but they surely would have had a real case, whereas i'm not sure they do in reality (except armstrong).
     
    goat15, Mar 31, 2011
    goat15, Mar 31, 2011
    #1
  2. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The Robinson-Armstrong pick is a good one. Would have been a tremendous boost for an already tremendous record.

    If Robinson had gotten the win against Maxim is another one.
     
    Bokaj, Mar 31, 2011
    Bokaj, Mar 31, 2011
    #2
  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Fitzsimmons-Jeffries
    Charles-Marciano
    Duran-Hagler
    Langford-Johnson
     
    McGrain, Mar 31, 2011
    McGrain, Mar 31, 2011
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  4. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    if armstrong had gotten the decision he deserved i'd probably have to give him #1(in reference to garcia not robinson)
     
    Swarmer, Mar 31, 2011
    Swarmer, Mar 31, 2011
    #4
  5. Tuaman

    Tuaman Return Of The Terminator Full Member

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    If Frazier had beaten Foreman and won the Ali rematches, he'd rank higher.
     
    Tuaman, Mar 31, 2011
    Tuaman, Mar 31, 2011
    #5
  6. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    A win over Johnson would probably have been even better.
     
    Bokaj, Mar 31, 2011
    Bokaj, Mar 31, 2011
    #6
  7. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    Duran hagler
    Hearns hagler
    Ali holmes
    Holyfield lewis
    Leonard noris
    Louis marciano

    Langford johnson
     
    lufcrazy, Mar 31, 2011
    lufcrazy, Mar 31, 2011
    #7
  8. goat15

    goat15 Active Member Full Member

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    a few could have got a win over marciano - moore, charles and louis.

    i'm not sure an official verdict would have done much for him. if you feel he deserved the win (and many, dare i say most, do) isn't that enough?
     
    goat15, Mar 31, 2011
    goat15, Mar 31, 2011
    #8
  9. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    The Robinson-Garcia was essentially a non-title bout though. Only the California MW title at stake, and not the championship distance.
     
    Thread Stealer, Mar 31, 2011
    Thread Stealer, Mar 31, 2011
    #9
  10. heerko koois

    heerko koois Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Michael spinks-tyson....
     
    heerko koois, Mar 31, 2011
    heerko koois, Mar 31, 2011
    #10
  11. easyLivin'

    easyLivin' Member Full Member

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    And what if Ali beats Holmes? Still no chance to be considered GOAT? What's your opinion?
     
    easyLivin', Mar 31, 2011
    easyLivin', Mar 31, 2011
    #11
  12. TheGreatA

    TheGreatA Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Not to mention Armstrong had already beaten Garcia.
     
    TheGreatA, Mar 31, 2011
    TheGreatA, Mar 31, 2011
    #12
  13. goat15

    goat15 Active Member Full Member

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    especially when you consider the state he was in, if ali had got the win against holmes he'd have to be in the goat debate.

    indeed.
     
    goat15, Mar 31, 2011
    goat15, Mar 31, 2011
    #13
  14. Boilermaker

    Boilermaker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No mention of George Foreman beating Muhammed Ali? I think this would have placed george close to no 1.

    Joe Louis would be a standout if he had defeated schmelling. Although many, consider him a standout anyway.

    Jeffries would also be a good chance if he beat Johnson.

    Fitzsimmons over Jeffries II might give him a bit of a shot, but i think it would mainly result in Jeffries colours being lowered. (and of course i already make him no1 p4p but this would seal it for the mainstream i think).

    Same with Sullivan over Corbett.

    Langford over Johnson would change his ranking substantially hed become p4p no 1 if he isnt already there.

    Sonny liston over Cassius clay would give him a good shot at GOAT.

    Mike Tyson over Lennox Lewis would have Tyson in calculations for most people.

    Vitali Klitchsko over Lennox Lewis would definitely raise his stock and head to head, i think he would ahve to be in calculations if he pulled it off.

    Larry Holmes over Mike Tyson would really improve his chances.

    Gene Tunney over Harry Greb would be massive. It takes away Rocky Marciano's uniqueness.



    I think that is about it for the heavyweights. REalisticallly, i think that Foreman and Jeffries are the best chances of making strong cases for a consensus no 1 ranking, but even with those wins, it is doubtful that either reaches above Joe Louis. In fact, ironically, if Foreman were to take Ali, it would probably do more for Joe Louis ranking as Joe would become a consensus greatest ever.
     
    Boilermaker, Mar 31, 2011
    Boilermaker, Mar 31, 2011
    #14
  15. goat15

    goat15 Active Member Full Member

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    boilermaker, are you talking about the greatest heavyweights or the greatest pound for pound?
     
    goat15, Mar 31, 2011
    goat15, Mar 31, 2011
    #15
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