HW, champ or non-champ, who faced the greatest competition

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by NickHudson, Jan 22, 2008.


  1. NickHudson

    NickHudson Active Member Full Member

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    I'll start with a favorite of mine, Floyd Patterson.

    He faced the following:

    A Grade

    '65 Ali
    '72 Ali
    '62 Liston
    '63 Liston

    B Grade

    '60 Johansson
    '59 Johansson
    '67 Quarry x2
    '68 Ellis
    '56 Moore

    C Grade

    '72 Bonavena
    '66 Cooper
    '65 Chuvalo

    I am sure some of you can do better than this, so lets hear it!

    Once we have established who faced the best, we can play an interesting game...

    Who, out of any HW in history, would have faired the best against that exact opposition and over the same time frame?
     
    NickHudson, Jan 22, 2008
    NickHudson, Jan 22, 2008
    #1
  2. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    Maybe Sam Langford
     
    Mendoza, Jan 22, 2008
    Mendoza, Jan 22, 2008
    #2
  3. NickHudson

    NickHudson Active Member Full Member

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    Can you expand a bit mate?

     
    NickHudson, Jan 22, 2008
    NickHudson, Jan 22, 2008
    #3
  4. Senya13

    Senya13 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Joe Grim :D
    Dave Holly, Jack Blackburn, Dixie Kid, Peter Maher, Joe Gans, Jack Johnson, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Sam McVey, Harry Lewis, Joe Walcott, Tommy Burns, Johnny Kilbane, etc.
     
    Senya13, Jan 22, 2008
    Senya13, Jan 22, 2008
    #4
  5. NickHudson

    NickHudson Active Member Full Member

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    Nice one Senya!!

    Thats a decent list.

    What about the condition of McVey, Gans, Johnson etc when Grim fought them??

     
    NickHudson, Jan 22, 2008
    NickHudson, Jan 22, 2008
    #5
  6. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    Langford fought the following hall of fame heavyweights:

    Jack Johnson 1 match
    Harry Wills - 18 matches!
    Joe Jeanette - 13 matches!
    Sam MCVey - 14 matches!
    Geroge Godfrey - 3 matches!

    All of the above men are hall of fame heavyweights. To parellel, Ali fought Frazier and Norton 3 times each. The fights took a lot out of Ali. What if Ali had fought Frazier, Foreman, and Norton 10 times each?

    Langford fought the following quality heavyweights:

    Gunboat Smith
    Fred Fulton

    Langford fought the following hall of fame light heavyweights to middle weights:

    Jack O'brien
    Stanley Ketchel
    Tiger Flowers
    Kid Norfolk - Not sure if he is in the hall of fame or not.
     
    Mendoza, Jan 22, 2008
    Mendoza, Jan 22, 2008
    #6
  7. NickHudson

    NickHudson Active Member Full Member

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    Your point is well taken Mendoza,

    The list suggests incredible resilience. More than 10 matches against multiple great foes - that is really something!

     
    NickHudson, Jan 22, 2008
    NickHudson, Jan 22, 2008
    #7