I do not need to tell anybody here that the lightweight division has an extremely talent rich history. I think it is a division where all time greats get overlooked due to the low profile of the division and spme never make it due to the level of competition. So here is a thread devoted to great lightweights who do not get enough exposure. Lets have some names.
Benny Leonard comes to mind. Although Ray Mancini is mentioned on the forum every now and again, he happens to be one of my favorites as well.
I wouldn't say Benny Leonard is forgotten. He's generally considered a Top 3 atg lightweight, absolute minimum. Joe Brown would be my choice.
If you had asked a panel of boxing writers to produce a list of the greatest lightweights of all when Leonard retired the top 3 would be- 1. Joe Gans 2. Kid Lavigne 3. Benny Leonard If you did the same today he would still be in the top three and might well take the No1 spot. This leads me to think that his legend has endured prety well.
Interesting. i wonder why the aura around the legends of Gans and livigne has decreased then...:think