Seen Cribb on quite a few lists but not one mention (unless I missed it) to Tom Molineaux who gave Cribb all he could handle in their first fight.. Most accounts say Cribb was out of shape for the first fight and pretty much was helped to THAT victory... Having said all that Tom is not on my list but thought he deserved a mention.. Cribb Sullivan Mace For me...
Ned O’Baldwin was described by Mike Donovan as the best heavyweight he’d ever seen. On top of that the man was 6’5 200+lbs. Other names would include Isaac Perrins, Jem Mace, Sullivan, John Jackson, Jem Belcher
Robert Delaney was unbeaten. He defeated both Allen brothers before all of England refused to fight him. I don't think that's enough for GOAT, but, given the caliber of men mentioned so far I do feel he's worthy of mention. Interestingly it would not be controversial to call Bob the best of his time, that was something of a consensus among the contemporary fans and journalists. What would be terribly controversial is to call him champion. Though we all agree champion does mean best. Broughton deserves more respect but to be fair to you all the narrative given by CBZ is lacking. There are about 10 heavyweight championship fights they skip over so the atmosphere of who is the real champion isn't often properly captured when his story gets told. Broughton cleaned house, was the first to do it. Corcoran's only loss comes from a fairly well known fix. He threw the fight, sold the title, but his record otherwise in unblemished. Again, not a GOAT but still worth mention. Especially since half y'all preamble with "I don't know BK very well" For me, it's Mendoza. Mendoza school boxing changed the sport. He only lost by way of conspiracy. To that end, I do wonder why anyone would claim Jackson any kind of fighter at all let alone GOAT. His ability to buy the title was really something. His ability to start clubs that would later morph into bodies both of which for the sole purpose of rich men controlling boxers is some real champ stuff let me tell ya. Maybe the GOAT shithouse promoter, but as a fighter ... TF? Some unsourced stories, one legit fight against a man whose name appears on no other record. Broken leg because he can't even step right and a purchased championship. GOAT? Champion goat? Fake news bro.
,,very, very difficult to know who was the best. You have put up a great list of candidates though, the one I know the most about is probably Belcher.
