Rock, Paper, Scissors, anything can happen. Each man could beat ranked heavies. Fitz had the best punch. Langford had the best durability. Greb was the fastest and most active. Best guess is Fitz has the best chance to go 2-0 at 160. At 180, I think Langford has the best chance to go 2-0.
Now, Langford vs Greb I've discussed before. But how would Greb go about swarming Fitz? I get the feeling that Greb would probably stun and rock Fitz in the first round, possibly dropping him, but Fitz would slip some shots and try and wrestle Greb around a bit. I don't believe Fitz was considered 'dirty', and I think he would only use the clinches to regroup. Greb is gonna be all over him still. However, Fitz had an awkward style even for a time that had really awkward styles He also had great timing, and once he realises he can weather Grebs storm (pain wise) he can start using his timing and precision to land some hurtful shots. Grebs constant movemt and flurries, plus intelligence in minimising the damage he took, would stunt Fitz's workrate IMO, and not allow the powerhouse to dictate the pace, although he will undoubtedly win some rounds due to landing the more effective shots in the inevitable fire fights that will break out when Greb gets his hair misplaced . As the fight goes on it will be a war of attrition. I just feel Greb has the chin to stay in there and operate, and can even beat the Fitz who beat Nonpareil Jack Dempsey at Middle or any Heavyweight version of him (and really, both guys at 170 is going to produce the best match). Over 15, Greb 10-5 in a savage war.
I'd take Greb over Fitzsimmons in a match-up there. I feel as The Iron Chin Of The South said, that Greb's activity would limit Fitz' punch output and therefore his ability to time Greb with hurftul shots. Then I believe it's a simple matter of him swarming Fitz' and outworking him.
This is total conjecture on my part, but considering the styles and the film available (or not) Greb/Fitzsimmons- Fitzsimmons certainly has the power to change a fight...and change it quickly. But Greb's record clearly defines the durabiity the man had. Fitzsimmons' can generate enough power into his shots to take down the heavyweights of his day. His style looks to be totally linear, he explodes into his shots with his footwork. I maintain that his (Fitzsimmons) front foot will always let a fighter like Greb know where he is going. Greb is anything but linear, he is attacking from every angle imaginable and with speed. Fitzsimmons would never be in trouble, but he would be always having to reset...I feel Greb would have had the style to stay ahead of Fitzsimmons. Langford/Greb- Greb would trouble Langford like he apparently troubled everyone else. The eye opening fights of Langford in regards to a match-up with Greb would be his fights with Norfolk and Flowers. Langford caught them...and when he caught them, he finished them. I wouldn't argue the point with anyone who said Greb...but I feel Langford would lead him into a trap along the way. Langford/Fitzsimmons- Jack Johnson said re his fight with Fitz, " I kept turning him like a barrel..." Langford would have the durability to hang with Fitz, and visa versa. It would be a bloody war. Where I give Langford the edge would be his mobility and better punch variation. Punch for punch, Fitz just may hit harder...but Langford has better variation and with power. Both are still standing at the end of twenty rounds, Langford by decision.
A puncher has an advantage over a swarmer, its a styles thing. From my understanding of Greb he is a swarmer and Fitzsimmons is a puncher, but he is accurate, a brilliant judge of distance & timing and fast. For Greb to swarm over Fitzsimmons he has to take punches to get in from Fitzsimmons and I think this could make Greb abit wary of coming in and could allow Fitzsimmons to win it on points, although admittably I dont know how good of a 'boxer' Greb was because he could adjust to outbox Fitz and take points. However if greb does still try to keep swarming Fitzsimmons I think he gets KO'd. Fitzsimmons would land on him clean and every time he looked to get in and it would take its toll. The fight IMO has similarities to Arguello vs Pryor
I think Langford hits hard enough to get Fitz put of there. He seems to fight very well against bigger guys on film. No doubt Fitz would give as good as he got against string guys (I.e Jeffries) but I feel Langford hit harder, and would prevail in a fight to the finish.
And we know who won that fight. Greb has the blend of grit and elusiveness so he can survive any situation, barring an out of the blue one punch KO, which I feel is unlikely. Greb was not your usual swarmed. He was positively slick, not 'defensively good for a swarmer'. This is pure conjecture of course, just going by the reports of course :good
Yeh, Greb was alot slicker than I am giving him credit for, but I really beleive Fitz is about 99% the perfect foil for a swarmer, really bad style to attack. Fitz reminds me of a big artillary gun, hes not the most mobile but hes just this big punch patient and if you charge him you get blown to pieces ala Charge of The Light Brigade
For what it,s worth...In a very old Ring magazine, I vividly recall Nat Fleischer, Ring Editor,answering a question, asking Fleischer ,who saw much of Sam Langford and Harry Greb,s careers,this question...'How long would it take Sam Langford, to catch Harry Greb , and stop him"?.Fleischer answered this question as follows,I recall. "Langford ,and no one else,would ever be able to catch up with Harry Greb"...This is the opinion of Fleischer who saw the Boston Tar Baby, and the Iron City Express in their respective primes...For what its worth.....