[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_ZSSZAcuP8[/ame] One of the ten greatest fighters of all time. Jumping weight divisions, poverty, severe illness, old age, terrible beatings and a hectic international schedule - he overcame all, fought everyone worth anything and came out the kayo king.
Fighting abroad goes a long way in my book. Moore fought most of his career in the USA, but also boxed in Italy, Canada, Brazil, Germany, England, Argentina, Uruguay, Panama and Australia. Started off his career as a welterweight, went on to beat heavyweights. I've always found his between-fight fluctuations quite astonishing.
I don't rate him top 10 but he's certainly a lock for top 20. Moore is a guy that constantly teeters a top 10 list IMO. Definitely top 15 material, just so many greats that he doesn't quite get in (There are plenty good arguments for why I'm wrong).
I can't not have him up there. His career was incredible. The most hellish of all time; if you were to replace him with anyone else, they wouldn't keep up. Maybe Sam Langford.
He was a beast. His beastly-ness is the most underrated aspect of his career. Probably behind the Patterson fight (which at the time was seen by many as a fix). He was a brute. Top 15 all time for me, but I can see him at #10 or #9 without so much as raising an eyebrow provided Charles is top 6.
Charles is #6 on my list (with B. Leonard right above him, now there's a debate). Moore #9. But I don't believe you could substitute Charles for Moore (dyna) and have him come out as equally successful. ****, Moore started his career earlier and finished it later. Fascinating man to listen to as well.
I'd like a well-done book about him to be written; "The Ageless Warrior" was pretty bland fare. He's more than just a great fighter, he was actually a really interesting character too, and most of that was glossed over.
Moore's autobiography is must-read stuff. His account of the Durelle rematch is especially interesting. I just wish the thing had been longer. It was full of fascinating incidents from behind the scenes of one of the most epic lives in all of boxing.
Yeah I have that one, and although it wasn't comprehensive, the fight accounts were worth reading. I like at the end of that video (above) where he puts his hand on the interviewer's knee. A genuine, sincere character.
Could listen to him all day. I have Charles cleanly above Leonard personally. Not that I lowball Leonard, he's clearly above Moore for me, but I just think that Charles is a genuine Titan. Only clearly behind Langford, Greb, Armstrong, Robinson for me. I tend to rate Fitz above him too.
I could rate Leonard #1 and not be too put out. I find it difficult to say the same about Charles, that's all. After years of rating Duran #1 at lightweight I now believe Leonard was clearly greater.
I agree with this. Ezzard Charles I'd probably have on the lower end of the top 10, or even just outside it. Moore gets in the top 20.
I have Charles #5. Leonard is a hard one to place for me. I probably give him justice. I honestly know some of the least about in terms of ATGs. Moore's longevity is special but he wasn't successful enough against the absolute best. While his weight-class jumping is impressive, this applies to even HW where he acknowledged the bigger guys to be easier to find and easier to beat.
Truly AMAZING & Truly Great. if ony Boxing was half the sport it was then. Why can't we just see the Best gladly meeting the Best, giving them more to shout about. Still, never will they surpass a Moore or his kind.
