Harry Greb vs. Ray Robinson

Greb was an all-time great MW who beat Lightheavies.

Robinson was an all-time great WW who beat Middleweights.

Going with the natural strength of Greb to win by decision over
SRR.

 

For my book I gathered a lot of quotes from guys who saw both fight and almost to a man they picked Greb. They stated that his size, strength, and stamina would eventually wear Robinson down allowing Greb to comfortably take over and win a decision. I would tend to agree but I think Robinson would give Greb problems in the first four rounds or so. Robinson is one of my favorite fighters and I cant get enough of him but I just dont see him beating Greb outside of a very lucky one punch KO a la Fullmer, which is a possibility, but a narrow one. I think at the end of 15 Robinson would be as limp as a dishrag and glad the fight was over.

 

Greb was never KO'ed, period. None the less with one punch.

 

Greb was KOd in his first year as a pro with one punch by Joe Chip. Chip was a pretty good puncher.

My book is not done. But I think it will be well worth the time when its finished.

 

I like Greb by comfortable decision here. Fullmer gave Robinson fits for the most part in their four fights. Greb has more skill and is just as strong and aggressive as Fullmer.

 

I will go with Greb for the reasons stated by others.

 

Greb is too big for me to pick otherwise.

 

Ray was a hair under 6 feet. Greb was 5'8 and not considered a big MW.

I am not so sure that the 1950 SRR couldn't do this. Greb was hell to fight but Ray could also get down and dirty too -he was a fierce competitor, but also a sociopathic warrior which even the great Tunney was not. Ray could be viciously explosive in there --and I am not sure that his multi-faceted, fundamentally sound, and more efficient offense wouldn't force Greb to pause.

Benny Leonard, Tunney, and Loughren saw that body punching slowed Greb up. Tunney and Tommy demonstrated it. I would wager that Ray's work to the body would make a difference. I would also consider that straight right of Robinson's... Greb could be susceptible to straight rights.

I think that Ray had the tools to defeat Greb -the style that worked best with him was based around these:
1. body punching
2. Make him miss and capitalize on that
3. nail him with straight rights

I think Robinson could be counted on to do those things naturally... and particular at age 29, not 36 (which is about how old he was when he met Fullmer).

You also have to consider that Greb would not be allowed to use his usual dirty tactics -and Greb was not quite as formidable without his head.

I'm favoring Robinson, slightly.

 

Greb's more refined than LaMotta, I'd say, and he's got a victory over Robinson.

Robinson was gassed to the point of having to be helped back to his corner against LaMotta when he WON at times.

Robinson also admits he was tired beyond words at the end of of the Basilio match, where Carmen said he could fight on.

Greb has just as much endurance as Carmen if not more. He was one of those kind of fighters.

 

Not doubting that.

Greb had a lot of facets to his game though, from what I've heard.

He definitely didn't go in there and just wing it.

 

Yeah, his records ridiculous, one of the very best.

Even more so considering he was partly blind for a good part of it.