Forgotten great lightweights

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by janitor, Jul 26, 2007.


  1. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    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.
     
  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    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.
     
  3. Holmes' Jab

    Holmes' Jab Master Jabber Full Member

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    Jack McAuliffe, lack of footage (it being the 19th century an' all) is the main reason. :good
     
  4. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Good choice.

    In his day he was regarded as something of a pound for pound Marvel.
     
  5. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    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.
     
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  6. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    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.
     
  7. jc

    jc Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Interesting. i wonder why the aura around the legends of Gans and livigne has decreased then...:think
     
  8. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Sammy Angott rarely gets mentioned; another excellent fighter at his best.
     
  9. Manassa

    Manassa - banned

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    Willie Joyce. At least the other mentions are in the Hall of Fame.
     
  10. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Former LW champ Sammy Mandell. He beat McLarnin, Petrolle, and Johnny Dundee.
     
  11. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Freddy Pendleton is worth a mention
     
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  12. Manassa

    Manassa - banned

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    Not to mention Tony Canzoneri.
     
  13. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    ...and Babe Ruth.
     
  14. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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  15. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Probably due to lack of quality footage.