Corbett Should Be InThe Top 20 All Time Because He Beat?????

If he KOed 40 random bums would that make him better?

 

I dont see it. I'm not impressed with any film of him. Chin always up. Alot of slap in his punches. Perhaps I'm missing something?

 

I'm curious… does this mean, that you no longer believe he would beat prime Tua?

 

H e did beat Ward Bond. Oh wait, Errol Flynn actually did that.

 

He is one of those fighters who looks like he doesn't have a clue what he is doing, until you correct the film speed, and then he is feinting with every part of his body.

The best guys that he wen't up against generally caught him in the end, but he always seems to have given them fits.

To be honest though, the man outside the ring, is more fascinating than the fighter inside it.

He was one of the most intelligent men ever to hold the heavyweight title.

He was also one of those rare people who was two things at once, being able to beat both fighters and mangers at their own game.

That is what makes him impressive!

 

I would pick him over Tua reluctantly, and I have a lower opinion of Tua than most here.

 

I don't see Corbett as in the top 250, but I give him his due as an important pioneer worthy of our gratitude and respect.

 

To be honest, I am coming to the conclusion that his role as a pioneer has been overstated.

I honestly think that John L Sullivan had far more impact upon boxing technique!

 

It was Sullivan that was the true freak of nature talent, much moreso than Corbett.

 

Ignorance on display. Corbett claimed 39 fights, I think. His box rec record is incomplete. I have him at 59-0-3 until meeting Fitzsimons, though many of the wins were newspapers types on shorter fights.

Corbett's resume is loaded with hall of fame people.

John L Sullivan
Jake Kilrain
Peter Jackson
Joe Choynski
Bob Fitzsimmons
Charlie Mitchell
James Jeffries
Tom Sharkey
Kid McCoy

And he beat FIVE of these men and drew with another. The IBRO poll has him in the top 20 of all time. So if you ask who has him in their top 20 I'd point there. The survey had over 20 voters. Anyone who rates this high, over a 100 years since he fought was indeed one of the greats.

While he was living, Corbett was universally thought of as top ten all time heavyweight.

Question to the board. On a side note, should Corbett's filmed match with Peter Courtney count? They were each paid. Corbett won in 6 rounds via KO. It was a professional fight, so I think it belongs on his ring record. Courtney was badly out classed and Corbett toyed with him, but it was still a fight.

 

Yes, you're missing something. Corbett was very quick with his hands and feet. Hard to hit, blessed with excellent reflexes, and ability. Much better of an infighter and body puncher than you'd think. He could keep a fast pace for 15+ rounds. A bit like a bigger but less refined Clazahge.

I suggest you see his filmed fight with Fitzsimmons, which I broke down round by round. The film runs slow, and is grainy but if you look hard you'll see brilliance. And don't forget to see the combination that floored Fitz.

 

The IBRO rankings are "greatness" rankings - not "ability" rankings (well, in some cases probably a combination of the two).

Likewise, the 9 men you list are HOFers because of their legacy, and not their actual ability. They were pioneers in the early days of gloved boxing - and we honour them as such.

Naturally, they can't be compared to modern boxers... and the idea that Corbett is one of the 20 BEST heavyweights ever, is clearly absurd!