Anyone else rank Ezzard Charles top 5 p4p of all time?

Why not? Pound for Pound? He ruled the lightweight division for 7 years, and at the age of 30 beat one of the ATG welterweights, started partying and stumbling, still picking up a belt at 154 and 160. He was still a recognized force into the 1990's. I put him over Ali, in a pound for pound sense, rather easily.

 

My top 5 consists of Armstrong, Greb, Robinson, Langford, and Charles; and I think they're all pretty much interchangeable. Those are the only fighters I see as having cases for the top 5.

 

Fitzsimmons?

 

He is def in my top 10, I have to do my lb for lb again

 

1. Robinson
2. Ali
3. Pep
4. Louis
5. Duran

MR.BILL:deal

 

I am not sure where to rate Charles pound for pound. I can see a decent case for him to sneak into the top 5. I think i rate him between 5-10.

But, he was the same size fighter as Rocky Marciano, but was beaten twice by him. Is it really possible to rate him ahead of Rocky? I am interested in what Suzy Q and others think about it.

 

Charles was a stylist; not a strong dude with physical strength or power....... Charles relied on his speed, timing & reflexes....... Once that began to fade in 1951, Charles began a slow ride down-hill....... Charles still had some skills and savvy left in his 33 year old body in 1954, but Charles was holding onto whatever he had left by then....... In '54, Rocco Marciano was just the fresher and stronger man in the ring........ However, Charles was still game.........

After '55, Charles carried on, but looked gross in most of his tail-end affairs........ He'd been to the well one too many times by then.....

By 1958, Charles was only 37 or so, but he fought like he was 50......... He was basically done......

MR.BILL

 

just outside top 10 with Armstrong. top 10 is reserved for Roy Jones, the last modern great

 

I already have my top-5 listed..... I ain't budging there, either....... The Top-10 is tricky........ I know I gotta rate Raymond Leonard and Salvador Sanchez somewhere in or damn near there........

Also, where do I stash Ezzard Charles & Archie Moore????

What about J.C. Chavez, Marvin Hagler, James Toney & Larry Holmes?"

Joe Gans and Jack Johnson, as well.......

Tricky dick to the max......

MR.BILL

 

i think people may be underrating Jack Johnson, first black heavyweight champion long before the doors were opened for the more beloved Joe Louis

 

Tricky but not impossible

My #1 is Benny leonard. ALong with Greb and Robinson, faced the stiffest competition ever. Johnson I have at 3 and Hagler at 4. Jones at 7 (his chin problems came late in his career) Gans at 10. Holmes at 43. Chavez at 31 Toney at 94

 

I wouldn't put Duran in the top 5, but I would put him ahead of Ali.

 

:rofl:rofl:rofl