Many people consider Sugar Ray Robinson the GOAT...

Manfredo was in over his head against Calzaghe, and Mayweather wouldn't have the power to hold Robinson off or be able to withstand Robinson's offensive onslaught. If DeLahoya could give Mayweather a competitive fight, think about what Robinson could do to him. Robinson has better stamina than DeLahoya, better power, speed, boxing skill, bodypunching, infighting, footwork, etc. Mayweather would be lucky to see the final bell, let alone actually win.

 

That's incorrect.

He feinted several times (starting at "5:29" counting downwards) and many of his jabs were coming off of Robinson's jabs, which he slipped (slip/jab). Jabbing your way in is a positive thing, and LaMotta does it. In addition, he mixes his jabs with occasional left hooks and goes to the body well.

Several footwork and body feints as well--two around 5:07 and 4:50-something (the timing may be a bit off there, but it's between those two points).

In fact, if you looked closely at the beginning film you'd find that Robinson was getting away from the jabs pretty easily (using footwork, primarily). It's only when LaMotta tags him to the body with hooks that he becomes more vulnerable to jabs--and as I mentioned, LaMotta sometimes feints the hook to get a jab in. You'll also note that he throws his jab a little like a left hook, making it difficult to discern between the two punches.

Perhaps if I posted footage of Robinson in a Calzaghe costume, you'd judge him better. As it is, though, I'm content to convince people who are actually open to argument.

The footage stays.

Unleashing his fury squared up with his punches wide and his head leaned forward, which has a tendency to get fighters hit. Fortunately, he was facing Manfredo--not LaMotta.

Mayweather is considered P4P #1 right now, and you believe Calzaghe is the greatest fighter who ever breathed. How much higher quality do you want?

 

Boxing probably peaked in the 1940s and 1950s relative to technique and quality of opposition.

 

I have always felt that boxing was prime from the late 1930s through the mid 1980s.

 

Did you ever stop to recall - or learn - that Robinson was pushing 40 years of age and a veteran over 100 fights when he met Basilio?

 

Yes he did. It also should be said that Basilio was two time welterweight champion and a tough little SOB. Robinson was a welterweight fighting at middle, just as was Basilio.

 

from the late 30's???

What about Benny Leonard? Barney Ross?? Tommy Loughran?? Joe Gans?? Were they just all out sluggers?? No knowing the basics of boxing tactics'? Leonard would be hell for any other boxing. So would Ross.

 

Yes, I've seen some of Robinson's fights. Basilio was a relentless pressure fighter/swarmer who was himself an all time great, winning the Welterweight and Middleweight championships. He fought the fights of his life against Robinson. Those fights with Basilio were the twilight of Robinson's career; it's expected that you'd have trouble at the end of your career against a prime, focused, determined ATG. Mayweather didn't exactly dominate DeLahoya, who everyone knows was past his prime yet was able to give him a competitive fight. He'd have to box Robinson, and if that didn't work he'd be screwed. Robinson could try boxing and if that doesn't work turn it into a fight.

 

There are exceptions. Benny Leonard is definitely one of them. I am including Ross, Canzoneri and the like in the late 1930s. It seems the lower weight classes came along faster.

I don't include Joe Gans. Sorry, but I am not impressed by what I have seen from him. I don't include very many people from that time. I think the sport was, overall, rather primitive then.

 

This pretty much says it all.