Next in the series after Harry Wills In three categories Best win: In terms of quality of opponent, and manner of victory Most important win: In terms of historical significance Most spectacular performance: Not really the quality of the win, just a great display of the champion's ability. My picks Best win: Louis, one of the greatest wins in heavyweight history, it has to be Louis This content is protected Most important win: I think it has to be the Louis win again Most spectacular performance: I really like his performance in his second fight with Jack Sharkey This content is protected This content is protected
The answer for all 3 is Louis. Louis wouldn’t lose again for 14 years. Louis came into the fight a huge favorite, and would go on to have one of the two greatest careers the division has ever seen. Max stepped into the ring and fought an absolutely brilliant fight and earned a hard fought win. A case could be made for stopping Young Stribling as Schmeling was only man to stop him in his career, which spanned 250 pro fights. Knocking down 4x and out Johnny Risko was also impressive. With Schmeling maybe remove the Louis bout since it’s a clear sweep of the awards and pose the same question. The Sharkey bout was an awesome performance marred by a bad deciscion. However Sharkey fought that bout imo- as if he knew he had the fight won as long as he saw the final bell. Sharkey has a lot of fights on film, look at his bouts compared to the second Schmeling fight. His stance, and his game plan is totally out of line with all his other bouts. He retreats all night, standing straight up just flicking out a jab that false short. It’s a tepid effort for someone trying to win the HW crown. He constantly hopes Max will lunge so he can counter but Schmeling almost never over extends his attack for that opportunity.