joe gans was among them, benny leonard, jack johnson, Langford, Tony C & the baby face assasin, there were a few who got the acolade. more too I'm sure, some also that should have but didn't as always.
I'm pretty sure Jeffries was widely considered (in America anyway) as the greatest boxer ever. That status however went after the loss to Johnson.
I'd very much doubt that. Without the knowledge we have today of Greb I can't see how many would have him above Tunney if he went 1-4 against him and the fact Tunney beat Dempsey, who was such a hero to many. I'd just like to reiterate this would have been without much hindsight .
That was the unfortunate perspective that people had on their series. But as you stated, luckily we have the knowledge that we do have today. Greb is more like 2-2-1 or 3-2 OVER Tunney.
Benny Leonard. His combination of speed, boxing skills, brains and knockout power were very rare. Benny Leonard was the total package.
It was Henry Armstrong, for me, for all intents and purposes. However, their careers overlapped so I'd highly doubt there was even remotely sufficient time for what he did to soak in. Leonard and Fitz are great shouts.
I recall looking at a reprinted Ring article asking whether Robinson (who was active at the time of the article) was the GOAT P4P. B Leonard and Gans were the names thrown out as his greatest predecessors. Frank Erne (from whom Gans won the lghtwt title) opined that Robinson was a better fighter than Gans.
i'm pretty sure before it became an "official" title tony canzoneri and benny leonard were said to have it in the press