Where does he rank all time for you guys? Heres a brief run through of his career; Record 88-14-6-1 European Welter weight champion 1911 aged 17 European Middleweight champion 1912 aged 18 European Light Heavyweight champion 1913 aged 19 European Heavyweight champion 1913 aged 19 World white heavyweight champion 1914 aged 20 In 1919 he dropped back down in weight to challenge Battling Levinsky for the light heavyweight championship of the world stopping him in the forth round. He then challenged for the heavyweight title against Jack Dempsey being stopped in the 4th this was boxings first million dollar gate fight. His other most notable fight was with Gene Tunney going on and being stopped in the 15th round Not bad for a guy who started at Welterweight.
I rate him in the top 150. He actually started out as a bantamweight I think, I could be wrong. However great boxer puncher. One of the smartest boxers to ever grace the squar ring. He possessed the keen analytical intelligence of a seasoned trainer which helped him tremendously in fighting well above his weight and keeping his face handsome. I don't think he was ever made to bleed or have any bruising after a fight. Loved the way he would almost step around to the back of his opponent when they would come forward and then spin'em around by the shoulder and drop'em with a straight right. :!: . Reminded me of old western movies. Any ways, good post bro.
Brilliant fighter, top 25 all-time. To add to what you have done, he is alleged to have won a pro French title in all of the classic eight weight divisions. He also won a European Lightweight title, and a world title at Middleweight.
Always had a lot of time Gorgeous Georges (Carpentier); I used to have him in my top 10, but most recently he was #22 I think.
Have you seen his fight against Dempsey? It is one of the few cases when you have to say that the discussion in regards to the size of modern heavys has merit. He was like a small Joe Calzaghe facing Dempsey and Dempsey looked very ordinary. Plodding around after him, being hit a good deal and even when he stopped him it was not some savage destruction. Carpentier would have risked being killed if he had been in a ring with a prime Tyson, Liston, Foreman or Lewis.
Remember boxing in 1922 is pretty much a different soprt to what boxing is in 2008. Carpentier fighting under 1922 rules, despite being past his pomp would be able to compete with any fighter who weighed 13 stone 7lbs (189) or under.
Top 10 ATG on ring intelligence alone. Top 100 ATG as a fighter. One of the most intelligent and adaptive fighters in the history of the sport.
