Sugar Ray Robinson was 10 years deep into his career in 1951. That would be 70 years ago from today. Is he the greatest boxer of all time? And does that make the greatest boxer ever a guy who fought 70-80 years ago?
The best boxer came more than a hundred years ago! Product of their times. I love that period, but by god I don't want it back!
YES, and there were hundreds of them, as I always say GREAT, Great, great, with little between them. and that is the Strongest Era's First, then all other Greats through all of the years. there's NOT 10 or 15 tiers, theres maybe 5, 6 or 7, with little between them, at the Top. the Sport has produced thousands of great fighters over the 150 years.
A solid candidate, and interestingly, probably the most recent candidate for the number one spot. But it's that Greatest/Best thing isn't it. All very confusing, not least because Ray would be a longstanding lightweight these days...
Yes the greatest fighter in history is from 70 yrs ago. R.Robinson, and most of the atg's from the 40's until the mid 90's . Reason being is activity and the experiences brought on by it. If a fighter is fighting 2-3 times a month , one must assume he is training daily, staying in shape and sharp. He is developing razor sharp countering skills and learning exactly what he does well. Also the trainers during those era's generally were skilled enough to see what a fighter did well and tried to build on that. They didn't try turning George Foreman into Ali. Than factor in physical ability, heart , determination, size,and some old fashion luck of being in one's prime when some of the greatest talents in history are in their primes and in or with in said fighters maximum range of physical ability. Look at Robinson's resume. From welter through Middleweight he fought some of the greatest talents in those weight classes history. A Who's who of top fighters........ Ever! Robinson fought a myriad of different styles and physical abilities. Some were gifted with excellent physical ability, some not blessed with physical talent but who worked their way to greatness by determination , and will to win. Robinson is the G.O.A.T In my opinion . It doesn't mean on any given day he couldn't be defeated ,even in his prime. But when looking at the opponents defeated, the way he defeated them, his time on top, and the overall length of his career . I don't believe any boxer could've' accomplished more than Robinson did. And the way the game is set up today, they never will.
