Give me your thoughts on the great Tony Canzoneri. Were do you rank roughly in your atg list, how do you view him as a ATG. Any Interesting stories or facts on him.....ETC What are your thoughts on him? DISCUSS
He was an exceptional fighter with a hell of a resume, who would've had even more success in terms of title records if he weren't fighting in one of the deepest lightweight eras in history. He was also, very nearly, boxing's first 4 division champion. I don't have a top 100 ATG list fleshed out, but he has no business being left off a list only 50 fighters deep.
His multiple knockdown decision win over Ambers was a masterful display, and even though obviously aging and boxing conservatively, I thought Canzi was more impressive against the energetically youthful Ambers in this one showing than Armstrong was in either of his two matches against him. It's my belief that a peaking Canzi would outbox a peaking Hank for the decision. (Obviously, Armstrong was more consistent during his prime. I'm rampantly speculating on each at his best.)
But the Ambers that Armstrong fought was a much improved fighter from the one that Canzoneri beat. Ambers was still a bit green when Canzoneri used his big edge in experience to outsmart him; Ambers showed drastic improvement by completely shutting down Canzoneri in two rematches.
i think as far as pure accomplishments, canzoneri has a argument to be a top 5 p4p fighter of all time. to me, canzoneri always had this mystique around him like duran in his charsima and how he did things that seemingly impossible being naturally smaller and lighter then many of his opponents.
One of them fighters who fought in the 'busy fighter' era and compiled an absolutely astonishing resume, along with world titles. Immense legacy.
A peak for peak matchup between Canzi and Ambers would have been something to see. Yes, Lou was still green, but the same might be suggested of Duran against Buchanan. While he may have been green, he brought great vitality and energy to bear against Canzi, raking Tony against the ropes with that left uppercut of his, yet caginess payed off. Ambers did shut him down in the rematches, but I think it's impressive that Canzi wasn't stopped, as much as he was slowing down.
I think this thread merits a bump and I'm surprised there aren't more comments, considering the subject.
Oh, and somebody on here made a TERRIFIC video on youtube of highlights of Canzoneri. I lost track of it, anybody know of it? Want to post it up?
There it is. It's one of the best tribute videos I've seen on anybody. I believe I had it downloaded on my other computer before it got wiped clean.
