I've seen him in the occasional top 10-15 and really I can't not put him in a top 15 or so. He had one of if not the longest career outside of Mamby ever. He fought longer then even Jack Johnson and enjoyed success even in those twilight years in his 50's. I can't think of very many if any at all more impressive accomplishments then his triple crown, especially picking up the LHW title at the age of 40 in the days when fights did NOT age well to say the least. A great resume, great in a P4P sense, one of the most precise punchers of all time, one of the greatest punchers of all time, a triple crown champion... Where do you rank him?
Top 10 p4p in a historical sense. He went 14 years, winning the middleweight, heavyweight, and lightheavyweight championships, while losing legitimately only to the hulking Jeffries who outweighed him by 40 to 50 lbs. His "loss" to Sharkey on a dubious foul and his "draw" to Choynski by police intervention came with both men out cold on the floor. In time and place, they don't come any better than Fitz in my judgement.
I personally dont have him that high either...which is more an indication of my ignorance on his overall opposition then anything. But a lock for top 25 at the very least...I think I have him low 20's.
Greb I consider the #1 Middleweight, on a p4p sense I hold him in the same class as Norfolk, I'd have him inside the top five also. Mickey Walker, imo, I dont hold so high considering his win over Flowers was a robbery, and some of his other wins were dubious. But he was a decent HW, and should have won over Sharkey. Duran, I hold inside the top 10, but I consider him more a success due to his longetivity than I would for his prowess at higher weights.
I'd go out on a limb and say he was clearly the best fighter of his era. The question then is, how does his era compare to others?
I also find it impressive how Fitz had more unrecorded off the record bouts then any heavyweight of that time, sans perhaps John Sullivan. Also, what about his knockout of the original, 45-1 Jack Dempsey? He was avoided by almost every fighter of his time, and was considered a marvel in his time for good reason.
I'm with you and Old Fogey.... Bob Fitzsimmons legacy is almost unmatched.. In fact, he may very well have been the first man to ever earn the right to be called " Great "..