Which fighter's legacy has benefited most from a fight not happening?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by ironchamp, Aug 25, 2010.


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  1. KnockOutArtist

    KnockOutArtist Member Full Member

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    I voted Aaron Pryor. He may or may not be a major head to head beast, but a lot of his reputation comes from SRL supposedly ducking him, even though there's nothing to suggest in his h2h strengths that he'd win such a fight.
     
    KnockOutArtist, Aug 25, 2010
    KnockOutArtist, Aug 25, 2010
    #16
  2. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree with you to the extent that Wills is definitely the wronged party and like Ezzard Charles is still recognized for what he did despite not being champion. Truthfully, I was never convinced that Dempsey win was a foregone conclusion. I suppose there was a money issue and more importantly Dempsey's handler's didn't want to open up the possibility that Wills beating him would bring. It would damage the credibility of the color line bull**** and people would realize that it was a way for white fighters to avoid black challengers without any consequences.
     
    ironchamp, Aug 25, 2010
    ironchamp, Aug 25, 2010
    #17
  3. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I could have shed some light about the winner of a Dempsey vs Wills fight that never came about...
    As I have posted awhile back, while I was at Stillmans Gym, watching
    the great mid 1940s fighters train, a tall grey haired man was standing
    just a few feet from me, observing the two boxing rings...I found out
    from an oldtime boxer next to me that this grey haired man was Harry
    Wills, the oldtime heavyweight...I was young at the time and knew of
    Harry Wills, but not in relation to being Jack Dempsey's main rival..
    If i did know this at that time i would have not have the cojones to
    have walked over and asked him about his chances with Dempsey if
    they had actually met..I was young and shy at that young age, but
    it would have been interesting, to have his answer to the question,
    that today's ESB posters, would have liked to know, including me...
     
    burt bienstock, Aug 25, 2010
    burt bienstock, Aug 25, 2010
    #18
  4. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    Harry Greb vs Les Darcy

    That one could have hurt sombodys resume.
     
    janitor, Aug 25, 2010
    janitor, Aug 25, 2010
    #19
    Anubis likes this.
  5. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I believe what Nat Fleischer once wrote a reader in the1940s about Greb..He said in his opinion no middleweight could have CAUGHT up with
    Harry Greb...Including Les Darcy...
     
    burt bienstock, Aug 25, 2010
    burt bienstock, Aug 25, 2010
    #20
  6. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I suppose it could have but do you think Darcy gained alot of mileage from that fight never coming off?
     
    ironchamp, Aug 25, 2010
    ironchamp, Aug 25, 2010
    #21
  7. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    Exactly.

    If the fight had come off, then sombody would have lost.
     
    janitor, Aug 25, 2010
    janitor, Aug 25, 2010
    #22
    Anubis likes this.
  8. ironchamp

    ironchamp Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Bump.

    I'd like to hear from the new comers on the Classic.
     
    ironchamp, May 22, 2012
    ironchamp, May 22, 2012
    #23
  9. Hands of Iron

    Hands of Iron #MSE Full Member

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    Stuck between Aaron Pryor and George Foreman. I feel both would get absolutely run through in overwhelming (almost embarrassing) fashion. Of course, both turned down those fights when the opportunity presented itself.
     
    Hands of Iron, May 22, 2012
    Hands of Iron, May 22, 2012
    #24
  10. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    :blood The Klitschko option is mind-boggling.
     
    Boxed Ears, May 22, 2012
    Boxed Ears, May 22, 2012
    #25
  11. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    RJJ when he didnt fight and lose to Simply the Best!
     
    PhillyPhan69, May 22, 2012
    PhillyPhan69, May 22, 2012
    #26
  12. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing

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    Harry Wills..
     
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, May 22, 2012
    Vic-JofreBRASIL, May 22, 2012
    #27
  13. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    First one that comes to mind is Tyson not facing Foreman. Had he been destroyed by Foreman he would have been a laughing stock.

    His rep took enough damage after losing to Holyfield but had he been beaten by old man Foreman his rep would have been even more damaged.
     
    ETM, May 22, 2012
    ETM, May 22, 2012
    #28
  14. smitty78

    smitty78 Guest

    Really? The same Fleischer who had Fitzsimmons ranked above Ali and Louis? Well that's the end of that argument then. No one talks as much sense as Fleischer (except maybe Thomas Hearns).
     
    smitty78, May 23, 2012
    smitty78, May 23, 2012
    #29
  15. Nightcrawler

    Nightcrawler Boxing Addict Full Member

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    tina turner had retired by that point
     
    Nightcrawler, May 23, 2012
    Nightcrawler, May 23, 2012
    #30
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