Is it even possible to pass Sugar Ray Robinson?

I think in 30-50 years, boxing historians will put SRL above SRR.

But if you are talking about today's active fighters, its a longshot, the 2 with the best chance FLoyd and Pacman would have to do a lot more but it is reachable considering both fighters are still relatively young.

 

No not possible....Here is why

These are the Hall of Famers he beat
Sammy Angott
Fritzie Zivic
Jake LaMotta
Bobo Olson
Kid Gavillan
Gene Fullmer
Carmen Basillo
Randy Turpin
Henry Armstrong

And also loads of other quality fighters. People forget Robinson started his career as a lightweight. He beat the lightweight champion of the world(Angott in a non-title fight) so He should have been a 3 division champion. Imagine if there were as many divisions back then as they are now. Robinson would have cleaned house. He started his career with a record of 128 and 1. Think about that for a second. Against the best fighters from 135 to 160 he started his career 128 and 1...plus he never lost as an amateur. Then after that he put on great performances when he was past his prime.

I am 2nd to none in my appreciation for Manny Pacquiao and some of the contempories. In fact, most of them are underrated. But Robinson is light years above everybody. But Pacquiao is a legend in his own right.

 

It is impossible the way boxing is currently constructed. No matter how you cut it you have to take into consideration the total number of fights a guy has had. It clearly shows durability and toughness. Add in resume, titles and the weight movement and it is impossible. No fighter today would dare what SRR did.

 

I think it is common for modern fighters to be unfairly prejudiced against old time fighters. I think when rating fighters from the modern era you need to take into account modern boxing, the regulations and politics involved, and the increased health and safety rules put into place to protect the fighters wellbeing. I think penalising modern fighters for the development of the modern game, and ommitting certain facts that are evident in modern boxing would be almost as bad as not rating certain old time fighters highly bc there is very little footage of them.
All I can say is to watch the fighters and their various fights and cast your own judgement on their skill level, and make your own judgement, not just listen to boxing historians. No doubt they give more credence to diff areas of the fighters fight game than you do anyway.

 

:good

Dont forget he was up on the cards after 13 rounds against the Light Heavyweight World Champion before he was overcome by the heat

 

In most people's minds there's nothing that guy's who have fought over the past 20-30 years can do to be considered anywhere near Ray Robinson. That I don't agree with but that's how it's perceived.

 

You can't decide this **** now because you're looking at it through the prism of the present. And you surely can't decide this **** on a message board. This **** is decided when we're old men looking back on the past.

 

Not in this lifetime.

 

No, I think as long as prize fighting exists, so will the legend of SRR ... he has so many fights, so many knockouts and he was the first to do so many things ... and he and he alone has the most championships in the history of boxing (according to Unca Roga) ... with 7 ... and he's won titles in two divisions.

Pacquiao with these Ring magazine titles doesn't really account for legit championship ... he's only a legit 4 division champion - no one counting the ring belt but the Pacquiao fans ... i'm sure that Bert Sugar isn't talking about 7 division - titlist.

If thats the case then Mayweather has 9 championships in 5 different weight classes ... thats obsurd.

 

Watch his KO of Gene Fullmer when he was 35 or 36 years old. He took out one the best chins in boxing in 1 punch. When you watch it is just breath taking. And that was when he was 35 or 36.

 

This is my point though. Its unfair not to include Pacs title at 140 against Hatton just bc one of the 4 main titles was not on the line for it,. If politics was not involved the IBF belt would have been on the line for that fight. This is what I mean about recognising the devlopment of the modern game, and allowing for it in terms of boxing history.

 

I agree that both Mayweather and Pacquiao have the best opportunity to do so. With another five BIG, QUALITY wins, they could start talking about it.

 

is that the left hook he lands? ive seen it a number of times and its one of the smoothest most balanced accurate punches ive ever seen. incredible

 

Yea if PBF and PAc fought till they were 40 so they can get another 40 fights in then maybe. They would have to fight alot more hall of famers though.

Its basically impossible to do now because of health regulations.