H2H greatest flyweight? Man Wolgast has got some skills but I think you're overrating him from what I've seen.
That's definitely not true, because other fighters fought that way before him. Doesn't change the fact that he was one of the best (if not the best) ever at using them.
Actually, I think Harada is the H2H best, but Wolgast is up there, and his results back him up too. And as I mentioned, both of these fights are past prime - the one against Zurita is way past it and not even at 112, the other is weight drained against another awesome fighter in Montana.
Yeah, plus what he have on film is him weight drained (IIRC?) but he still looks absolutely phenomenal. I agree on Harada being #1, but I think I may have Wolgast as #2. Maybe, Canto could beat him (although I'd pick more than one guy to beat Canto), Wilde too. I'd pick Wolgast over both, though. I'd probably pick Wilde to lose to Wolgast (but beat Harada), and my opinion of Wilde has gone up tremendously.
Yeah, the 70s era of Canto, Betulio, Ohba etc is probably the best from an overall H2H perspective. Extremely deep, and Canto was king - but he had too many physical shortcomings to overcome some others in fantasy match ups, so guys like Zapata and Arbachakov would be a nightmare. I can't really see anyone beating Harada conclusively at 112 imo. I also think Ebihara is underrated, both H2H and historically. Beastly southpaw and could bang. Venice has to be up there H2H too - an absolute bonafide freak.
I think that era is the deepest too. Although, Wolgast's come close. So does the era with Villa, Genaro, LaBarba ect; it's just a very deep division overall. I think Avelar is one of the hardest hitters in that divisions history, he reminds me of Foreman a little. Plus there's the Chartchai's, Oguma's, Torres', Park's of the era. It's nuts. And yeah - I can definitely see the bigger guys beating Canto (Zapata was one I already had off the top of my head, Bustop too). I actually think Venice is God awful for Harada, but I'd wager that Harada's sheer volume and class eeks out a real tough decision. I'm not too informed on Ebihara though. I know what he did but I've seen no footage. I imagine it's an underrated win for Harada.
Also, I think I should mention Fidel LaBarba here, since he was, as it was written, a beast and has some awesome wins (like Genaro). However, the footage against Kid Chocolate really disappointed me - but it is one of the very few I exempt logically, since it was at a much higher weight of 126lbs. Still, it makes me wary when evaluating him H2H, especially when he had actually moved to Feather within a year after retiring then coming back.
Very underrated. Harada's resume becomes even greater the more you look into it. You would very much like Ebihara. And yeah, there was something about those 70s Flyweights and there abouts. There was literally an ATG, or an ATG talent like Park, for basically every style. Even the non greats were beasts, like Oguma as you said. That deepness, plus the constant competition, is unlikely to happen ever again. Venice is probably the only one at 112lbs who could actually out-strength Harada (rare enough) and keep up with him. Still, I'd think Harada's ATG jab would see him through, though he'd have to have much more guile in the vein of his Bantamweight pomp. And you read my mind on LaBarba
Loughran's defense and jab are among best ever. Look at his footwork and timing, you can't find anyone looking more lile "pure boxer" than him. He lacked power and his offense isn't very versatile but man, he could shut down anyone with his jab and he was almost impossible to land on cleanly. Schmeling was very educated counter puncher with good defense and serious power. His jab is also quite underrated, as he outjabbed fighters like Sharkey or Stribling.
Jack Sharkey wasn't technical genius, but his upper body movement is among the best ever at HW. This content is protected
Cool, I'll have a look at Ebihara in more depth then. He did destroy my the one and only Pone, after all. Yeah, that era was mental. Tons of footage too. There was something for everyone, and even with his great Canto was, he could've been even greater. Imagine if he'd fought Obha and Chartchai, as well as getting the Park rematch decision? He'd be a top 40 ATG IMO. I agree that LaBarba looks dreadful, but I take that with a grain of salt too, since his opponents don't.
The Pone KO is insane. No one ever did it like that to him. 1 round! It is a credit to how good Pone was that he even came back in the second, even though I though Ebihara won it. Skill wise, Canto is up there with any boxer who ever lived. Just a true maverick. And about LaBarba, if the filmed footage is the one where he has a retinal tear (I can't remember), then it isn't a surprise he looks bad and had to change to that horrible octopus style. Wish his fight with Genaro was filmed. He peaked early due to the Olympics.
Yeah, Canto is one of the best ever IMO. I'll have to check Ebihara out then, a huge punching southpaw sounds like marvin Johnson... I'm in! Yeah, LaBarba taking on McLarnin, Genaro and Newsboy in his first 10 fights is real tough ****.
