Rate fighters after their peers' opinion

John L Sullivan and Peter Jackson both have to be right up their on pier reviews.

Louis also. And middleweight Fitzsimmons. The heavys have the best advantage here, because most of their opponents views seemed to get more publicity than other divisions.

I think i would go with Something like this (a very rough list open to change):

1. Sullivan
2. Dempsey
3. Jackson
4. Louis
5. Jackson
6. Leonard (Benny)
7. Greb
8. Pep
9. Robinson
10. Jeffries

 

It was after the fact that he didn't I think. I'm sure when he's in that competitive mode he thinks that he could beat anyone. That self-belief is important in becoming great. Afterwards, he could've been level-headed about it.

 

They say some weird stuff. Andries landed about 10 000 flush shots on Harding and didn't get him out of there. Imagine Lewis landing similar flush punches. Lewis must have hit him so hard he couldn't feel it.

 

Great post...I have always felt the best way to judge great fighters of the past, is how their peers judged them...And boxing experts of the times.
Joe Gans
Bob fitzimmons
Jim Jeffries
Stanley Ketchel
sam Langford
Jack Johnson
Jack Dempsey
Benny Leonard [considered the perfect lightweight]
Harry Greb [AWED by his contemporaries ]
Joe Louis [loved as no other by peers]
Ali [as much for his personality or as a fighter]
Oh yes Henry Armstrong ,triple champ winner ]
WINNER,has to be Harry Greb's reputation by his peers, against larger men in 300 fights...I have read many accounts that stated of the awe, his
fellow fighters regarded him...

 

P.S. I forgot the elephant in the room...
Sugar Ray Robinson, who was considered correctly by all his peers,as the greatest
fighter of his times, as do I....

 

Johnson has gotta be near the top of the list

Its very hard to read all the things said about Johnson and not think that he is one of the greatest.

Jeffries even admitted that he could not beat Johnson on his best day. Many of Johnsons victims said the same thing.

 

I tried to put my group in chronological order....
I am fortunate to have shook Lil Arthurs hand in NY about one year before he died..also saw and shook Ray Robinson's hand twice...For what it's worth...

 

Langford had similar praise: ""Well if he ever fights Dempsey my money will be on the present champion. Dempsey is the greatest fighter I have ever seen. He hits twice as hard as Jim Jeffries and is as fast in the ring as James J. Corbett."

 

Swarmer ,the quote Sam Langford made was when Dempsey and Harry Wills were signed to fight each other,but never did because of the promoter not coming up with the money...Wills pocketed deposit of $50,000,from the Dempsey camp....

 

Basilio was asked point blank by Robinson fanboy Bert Sugar if he thought Robinson was the best to ever do it and he probably wanted to punch Bert for putting him on the spot about his rival. It was on some ESPN Classic broadcast and I think he ended up saying he thought Pep was the better choice. But,...you know, competitors and all. Plus I think he was good friends with Pep. And Robinson had snubbed him when they first met, according to Carm.

 

Me neither, I think you called it right :good

 

I 'm sure I read once that Sharkey based who hit him hardest between Louis and Dempsey by how much he got paid for each fight.
Anyone remember the quote?

 

“The hell I feared no man. There was one man I wouldn't fight because I knew he would flatten me. I was afraid of Sam Langford."

Allegedly.