hi New to the forum but long term reader ( so go easy!) My name sake, beat Robinson on these shores in 1951, a win that shocked the world. What would be the biggest shock, Robinson/Turpin or Loma Campbell if Campbell wins ?
Difficult to say. Campbell beating Loma would not be as culturally significant or make as big an impact as Turpin beating Robinson. Robinson was a global superstar at the time, feted across Europe as well as in his homeland. He had took Europe by storm, not just as a 129-1-2 fighter but with his entourage and charisma. For all his sublime skills Loma doesn't have the profile and status that Robinson had at that time. It would be very difficult for any fighter in this era to have that to be fair. Focusing purely on the in-ring context, it's pretty similar. Both widely recognised as the best fighter in the world, probably above their peak weight and possibly past their physical prime, but still considered virtually unbeatable. While Robinson has a more extensive resume than Loma, you can equally say that Turpin had achieved a lot more than Campbell leading upto the fight. If Campbell does the unthinkable it would be right up there with Robinson-Turpin as far as in-ring upsets go. It would trump Honeyghan-Curry, as Loma has already surpassed Curry and Honeyghan was a wrecking ball in his own right for those who had watched his career closely.
I remember reading about Turpin in my ‘Greatest Boxers Of All Time’ annual in the 80’s! I seem to remember he was a relative unknown at the time. Think he also had problems outside of boxing - maybe drugs etc? So, taking that into consideration & the celeb of Sugar Ray - have to go with Turpin.
