Greb vs Fitzsimmons

An uncertain match at best, between those considered by many to be the two best middleweights in history.

Fitzsimmons and Greb have had two unique careers and two styles with few comparisons, but truly different.
Fitzsimmons has an anomalous physique, as big as a heavyweight at the top, hands that have been severely conditioned, exceptional timing and calculation of distances that allow him to strike with extreme precision. This gives him a deadly power, literally deadly, capable of knocking out a heavyweight with a single punch or killing an opponent.
He also has a good defense, with dodges and parries.
Many, many feints and traps.
An intelligent and thoughtful boxer, who stays on the defense waiting for an opening to take down his opponent with a punch.
His way of fighting is a bit reminiscent of that of a fencer. Real fencing, not sport, is the ancestor of boxing and Fitzsimmons had taken lessons from Mace, a great bare-handed champion.

Greb is completely different. Hyperkinetic, very fast, with a frantic intensity, very aggressive and with a dirty game. With his mobility and agility, it was difficult to hit him, especially to hit him well. Only one ko and a tko, both at the beginning of his career. Then ten years and over a hundred fights without ever being knocked out.

Fitzsimmons cannot think of winning on points with Greb. Fitz shoots little, Greb shoots a lot and even more ... A sniper against a machine gun. Fitz is more static and wait-and-see, while Greb is more dynamic and aggressive. The windmill spins around the blacksmith and bombards him with blows from every direction and angle.
The problem is that IF Fitzsimmons hits Greb in the right place, it's over.

Dempsey Non pareil and Corbett were two boxers with some similarities to Greb, not for the rhythm and aggression, but for the elusive ability. Fitz knocked them both out.
I'm betting on Fitz, but the outcome is very uncertain.

 

Fitzsimmons by knockout. Greb might befuddle him for a while, but sooner or later Bob will catch and deck him, and Bob knew how to finish those who got up. Bob could hurt and drop anyone with either head or body blows, and he always caught everyone. Plenty of fighters dropped Greb who did not have the snap and placement that Fitzsimmons had, nor did they know how to finish or keep up the pace. Greb would annoy, bruise, bloody, and pester, but he could not hurt Bob. Even if perchance Bob could not finish him, Greb's sheer superior speed and volume of blows might make it close on points, but the effectiveness of Bob's blows would either get Fitz the decision or no worse than a draw, depending on perspective.

I suspect that once Greb tasted that freakish power, he either would move a LOT or grab a LOT. If he moves, Bob will walk him down with consistent pressure, without fear of Greb's blows. If Greb grabs, Bob was strong enough to work free and dig body blows. Greb may flurry here and there, but that Fitz counterpunching power, particularly to the body, keeps him less active than usual, which also costs Greb if it happens to go the distance.

 

Greb is hundred times more proven at middle. He whips a wasp nest around the Cornishman.

 

This is what I HOPE.

 

Hi Seamus.
This from Damon Runyon the morning after the first Greb/Tunney fight " Tunney stepped on a wasp nest last night , and damn nearly got stung to death " you and the great man think alike !
stay safe buddy, chat soon.
Mike.

 

Thanks for the appreciation. Really iffy fight though, because they are two of the best pound for pound. Maybe if we had them fight 10 times, Fitz would win some, Greb would win some, who knows?

 

Masterful analysis, as always.
I don't want to contradict one of the best boxing historians, if not the best, but only add a consideration.

All true, even the difficulty that Fitz's style would give Greb. I would also look at the other side of the moon. Even Greb's style would give Fitz problems, tactical problems.
The Blacksmith was (it seems to me) a counterpuncher, anomalous and flexible, but a counterpuncher. Those who practice this style tend to suffer from mobile opponents with a continuous rhythm, who throw a lot. The Mill would have created problems for him in finding the space and time to strike.

In the end, Fitz would have found him. First he would have slowed him down with body shots, which not even Greb could avoid, then finished. Maybe a re-edition of Fitzsimmons-Corbett, with a lighter but faster opponent?
In my opinion. Have a nice day

 

I'd take Fitzs. I know this is a very Greb friendly forum but if there was a man made to stop Greb it's Fitzs. Yes, stop.