Jake LaMotta vs Dick Tiger?

I dont think you can really go by his win/loss record to determine his prime because he was such a lazy trainer. He often showed up to fights out of shape, turned in sub par performances, and lost. I think when he showed up in shape his prime was the mid to late 50s and he was incredibly fun to watch when he was in shape. He could move and box as well as anyone but he also loved to brawl so he even while boxing he could mix in enough spice to make a fight exciting. Had he not been such a headcase he could have gone down as one of the greatest middleweights in history (and hes already reckoned to be a great fighter). But brains and emotion is also part of a fighters makeup and that held him back IMO. The time he beat Robinson, Tiger, and Carter he was already well past his prime. Like I said, his title winning effort was really his last gasp. In fact he specifically chose to defend against Carter because he didnt want to be chasing around Joey Archer (his number 1 contender) on his old legs. Carter would come to him and make it a much easier night for Joey.

 

This nails it.