Inspired by a certain thread in world boxing. Does Johnny Risko deserve to be remembered as a legend?
Risko’s resume speaks for itself. He fought all of the top fighters. He has wins over Loughran, Godfrey, Maloney, Walker, Galento, Baer, Sharkey, etc.., so he earned his status.
He holds the record for most (7) HOFers beaten by a non-HOFer... which I suppose, in itself makes him a bit special.
The Cleveland Rubber man. Hurt his right shoulder early in career and became a left hook dominant fighter with an aggressive style. Was extremely inconsistent which is strange for the level of fighters he was capable of beating. Maybe he fought injured too often or was such a 1 trick pony once a fighter figured him out he couldn’t adjust. In any even only Schmeling really over matched him dropping him 4 times to the only stoppage in his prime.
He was an incredible fighter, and was one of the top three in the world at one point. He was actually the betting favorite to inherit Gene Tunney's vacant crown, before Schmeling smashed him. I think that he was basically an overachiever. He was beating guys like Jack Sharkey, who he shouldn't have had a chance ageist on paper. I get the idea that his ridiculous level of experience, sometimes trumped his mediocre natural talent.