In my opinion is resume is vastly superior to that of hopkins and hagler, where do you rank him on yoru p4p lists. His resume includes wins over: Jose Torres x2 Giardello x2 Fullmer x2 Benvenuti Holly Mims Henry Hank Florentino Fernandez Jose Monon Gonzalez Juan Carlos Rivero Rubin Carter Spider Webb He basically fought the entire murderer's row of contenders during the late 50s-early 60s except for george benton and laslo papp, those were the only 2 major contenders that he didnt fight. Also alot of his losses were early on in his career when he was green.
I appreciate Dick Tiger quite a bit...He looks on film to be extremely strong and depite claims to the contrary a very punishing hitter...I've seen film stoppages of some very durable opponents...With one punch... Stylistically, IMO I'd take Tiger over any middleweight who would come at him...If you were going to beat him, you should box him...at a distance! I feel Tiger would have given Robinson and Monzon quite a tussle...Tiger, I feel is stronger than LaMotta, (Robinson better move)and tougher and much better offense than Briscoe...and Monzon experienced trouble with Briscoe. Definitely an ATG!
I think he would beat herry greb head to head, i mean he did very well against the swarmers. Like i said before dick tiger fought virtually every middleweight during this murderer's row era except benton and papp. He almost always beat the swarmers and those fights were wars.
I pick Tiger over anyone who tries to punch with him, yes I pick him over Greb. I have him below Hopkins and Hagler p4p though, in the 80's.
Joe likes to brawl, but he likes to use movement and quickness to pop in and out and utilize his handspeed to land more frequently when inside. Greb, by the accounts I've read, was similar, though he wasn't as good a boxer. You see him as more of an Armstrong, I see him as more of a Calzaghe, just less of a boxer.
Are you kinda approaching this as a Calzaghe/Greb comparison versus Tiger?...It's hard to say, but I'd lean towards Calzaghe to outpoint Tiger...but only if he boxes at a safe distance, which he would be capable of doing. Tiger applies pressure, but it's a methodical pressure, Joe could keep him turning...giving him angles, and working off those angles with combinations. Given that, I don't feel Tiger would respect his power at all...He may well be the strongest opponent Calzaghe has shared a ring with, and the most durable. IMO Tiger would have some moments with quick counter left hooks, and pressure. If Calzaghe would stay in too close, firing off those combo bursts of his, he may get clocked with some very hard counters... But overall, I honestly feel Calzaghe would elect to keep his distance, and out point Tiger...
Emile Griffith seemed to understand how to beat Tiger (twice). Just kinda danced around popping him with the jab.
