Armstrong's peak was 1937-1939, winning the featherweight title, welterweight title and lightweight titles and holding them simultaneously. McGovern's peak was 1899-1901, when he won the bantamweight and featherweight titles as well as beating the lightweight champion Frank Erne in a non-title fight. If you believe the Gans win was legit, then he also beat the other Lightweight title claimant.
I don't, it was a comically obvious flop by Gans. Anyway, Armstrong's run was more impressive IMO, since he not only won 3 titles but also defended the highest title a bunch of times while still weighing around a full weight class lower. On top of that, he also came w/in a disputed draw of winning a 4th title, + his run didn't end w/ him getting unceremoniously flattened in 2.
Hmmm. Think I’d have to say Armstrong. The Gans win is better than any single victory during Armstrong’s prime if it’s legitimate, but is it?
Not much between their peak runs, imo, both were utterly absurd and logic confounding. Armstrong ranks higher, p4p all time, as he has better longevity. McGovern's was a very short prime, following which his decline was pretty dramatic.
Hi Buddy. As always ( like love ) it's in the eye of the beholder, but to think McGovern's run was "far" more impressive, is to me a stretch, I must say, @bolo specialist laid out Armstrong's run in broad strokes, but nonetheless it was very special, for me it out weighs McGovern's by a tidy sum, but you have called it as you see it, which is your provocative, as it is with all of us. stay safe matey, chatsoon.
To each their own, I don't count a victory over 1-3 underdog title claimant Petey Sarron as anything significant, so there should be a huge red asterisk next to "winning the featherweight title". As for the rest, I don't care to go through contemporary reports of his subsequent bouts quoting this and that, you can believe what you want to believe.
Sarron toppled a long-reigning HoFer to win his share of the title & he was never stopped otherwise in over 150 fights. His underdog status was as much a reflection on Armstrong's recent incredible KO streak as anything else.
McGovern's peak was more impressive, but Armstrong held thing together for longer, and was greater overall.
Hi Buddy. Thanks for the prompt reply, a couple of esteemed posters have, I believe, put the Sarron title win in perspective, not quite sure what you mean when you say you don't want to go through contemporary reports ? also the " believe what you want " tag line, what is your inference, if you don't mind me asking, if you don't feel the need to explain, no problem. stay safe buddy, chat soon.
