Who was the best ever fighter under 200lbs head to head?

Dempsey
Langford
Marciano

 

Tunney. He beat Dempsey just the same if he was a few years younger. Marciano would no land much in and if got a lucky one in, Tunney was more durble than anyone he fought. Langford was amazing, but he did not have the defense or footwork to match up and realistically defeat Tunney. Tunney only lost once to the great Harry Greb who might have butted him in the face. He did win the series vs Gerb.

 

Ezzard charles deserves a shout

 

Joe Louis

 

Top 5
Louis
Marciano
Charles
Dempsey
Archie Moore

 

Are these guys chopped liver?

This content is protected

This content is protected

 

I don't beleive that Usyk has ever, in his pro career, weighed less than 200. If he has ever entered the ring, as a professional, under 200 pounds, I will have his children.

 

Entered the ring, no. Made weight, yes.

 

Tunney hardly ever gets his due. His ring smarts were high level.

 

I wouldn't call Louis or Usyk below 200 lbs. Let's not use Holyfield either. My top 5:

Sam Langford
Jack Dempsey
Max Schmeling
Ezzard Charles
Rocky Marciano

HM: Archie Moore, Roy Jones Jr, Gene Tunney, Bob Fitzsimmons, Michael Spinks

 

But Louis was under 200 lbs. during part of his peak.
For the question we should take in ring weight, that is what it is asking.
Louis was 198 3/4 against Schmelling 2.

For me he was even better in 1942, rested from overwork, & having faced so many fighters & styles since 1938.
But he was still superb in 1938, even if not quite as well schooled against all comers.
Guys who favor modern fighters theoretically could pick a LHW since the 1970's, since some weied in the 190's in the ring.

But that Louis is hard to beat.

 

Great question, Holyfield or Usyk, but if you're going with 205 being too heavy, than peak Rocky Marciano and Roy Jones Jr come to mind, Canelo might be there soon.

 

You're right, that would have been a tough night for Canelo