Hey Classic Forum! How's my Top 10 ATG List?

Boilermaker, A sidenote....I remember reading an old Ring Mag from the late 1920's.In the mag there is acomment by an old time fighter,Sandy McPherson, if I can remember...He fought during the same time with Fitz and Sam Langford, and sparred with both often...In the article McPherson,Fitzimmons would have licked Langford,as Fitz was a tremendous body puncher, Langford could'nt take those body shots from Fitzimmons...For what it's worth... I would put Greb, Fitz,and Langford in the mix of the 3 best P4P,alltime...Ray Robinson, who I saw ringside 4 times in prime,was the greatest all around boxer,along with the prime Benny Leonard...Robinson was BEAUTIFUL to watch, but he could never have coped with the MUCH LARGER boxers that Greb, Fitz, and Langford, were able to do intheir great and long careers...B.B.

 

I haven't read the thread but have read the list.

Not bad. Ezzard Charles is an obvious omission, and I think Ali is a bit too high, but as a huge admirer of Joe Louis' consistency, all-around boxing form and most importantly, his punching technique, I admire anyone who can find a top ten placing for Louis. Though my own inclusions of Barney Ross and Mickey Walker push him out at the moment.

 

Well you seem to be making out Ray to be a career middle when he was in fact a welterweight... all those guys like Maxim, Graziano, Lamotta, Olson were naturally bigger and stronger than him. The fact that he fought in the golden age of the sport, looks amazing on film and was amazingly consistent doesnt hurt either.

 

ricardoparker93,You fail to understand that in the second golden age, AND BEFORE. There were eight weight divisions...Welterweights fought champion bouts ,weighing 136 to 147 pounds,,,Fighters between 136-147 fought each other at those weights , even if there were 6 to 8 pounds difference..If a fighter at natural weight of 136, he had the option to go down to 135 or less ,fighting as a lightweight, or went up to 140 or more lbs. fighting as a welterweight .That was a boxers option...Robinson from 1947 or so could no longer comfortably make 147 pounds, and was then considered a WELTERWEIGHT...Graziano for example's best weight was about 154pounds, so by your standards was considered a SMALL middleweight....That was HIS BEST fighting weight, even though,Rocky was giving away5 to 6 pounds to his middleweight opponents...Tough luck...So to say the almost 6 ft.Robinson was a welterweight at 148 to 153 pounds, fighting middleweights, that was his BEST fighting weight for his aging body...No excuses if all fighters play by the same rules...Extra weight does not make one BETTER...

 

Good answer, but, Fitz has a much better record as a middleweight than Langford did. He probably did more as a light heavyweight than Langford. As a heavyweight it is debateable, though i would give Fitz the edge in accomplishments. As a lightweight, again it is debatable and Langford probably has a slight edge but Fitz certainly has an arguable case.

 

Not a bad list at all. Maybe I'd chuck in someone like a Benny Leonard,Ezzard Charles, or Archie Moore over Fitzimmons, and possibly consider inserting Whitaker as well, but on the whole, the people who should be on the list are on the list. Nice job!:good