Tough call. Gibbons defensive prowess verse Loughran's jab. A real toss up I would give slight edge to Loughran.
Have no pre-defined opinion myself, Tommy fought more, better heavyweights and had the better long range game i feel. Gibbons had the harder punch and maybe fought at a better tempo. I'm sure Greb or Tunney would have a worthwhile opinion!
To perhaps stir debate, their ten best wins/performances. Gibbons; Miske Greb Levinsky Madden Carpentier Norfolk Chip Meehan Bloomfield Turner While Loughran; Tunney Greb Risko Schaaf Walker Braddock Baer Uzcuden Hamas Sharkey Jeez, thats some list for the Philly man, definitely ahead of Gibbons who is quite impressive himself. The older Tommy was less likely to drop unexpected decisions though.
I'll take Gibbons. He was an outstanding boxer in addition to being a hard puncher. He learned from the greatest boxer of the era (his brother) and had few weaknesses. Loughran would surely hang tough, though. I just feel he's outgunned here.
This is a tough fight to pick. Id probably lean very very slightly toward Tommy. The one thing that Loughran had over Tommy when he was younger was that he was busier and wasnt afraid to get in there and battle in order to steal rounds. He might be able to steal the fight from Tommy this way or he might play into the natural counter punchers hands. Whew. Tough pick.
