If Dempsey, Sharkey, Tunney, and Wills were only as good as Brian London, could we tell?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by cross_trainer, Nov 13, 2021.


  1. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    The best measuring stick for a fighter is another fighter. And you can only be measured by someone who's available at the time to fight you.

    Thus the question of this thread:

    Imagine for a moment that Dempsey and his best HOF contemporaries (Tunney, Wills, Sharkey) were only as good as somebody like Brian London. For purposes of this thread, assume that they would probably split series with London if they were time machined to the 60s/70s, and would amass about the same record as London did.

    If that was true, and they were only as good as Brian London, could we even tell? If so, how?
     
    cross_trainer, Nov 13, 2021
    cross_trainer, Nov 13, 2021
    #1
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  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I don’t think their techniques would be as revered by historians and trainers as much. But they’d still be entitled to whatever legacies they established
     
    mr. magoo, Nov 13, 2021
    mr. magoo, Nov 13, 2021
    #2
  3. The Fighting Yoda

    The Fighting Yoda Active Member Full Member

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    For me it wouldn't mean that much. I think the greatness of a fighter should be judged on his time and circumstances. Another important aspect is the quality and quantity of the respective competitors. For instance, there is a difference if somebody is the best out of 10 or out of 1000. That's why it's not possible without comparisons between different eras and it's of course subjective to a certain degree.

    Everything else (H2H) is just speculation, can't be proven, depends on different styles and might be even unfair due to various respective time conditions (ruleset, technical and medical evolvement, historical circumstances, nutrition and other stuff...). It should only play a minor role, if at all.
     
    The Fighting Yoda, Nov 13, 2021
    The Fighting Yoda, Nov 13, 2021
    #3