Everyone knows my love for the Rock, but Gaines is a guy that I love and respect as a largely forgotten fighter who deserves to be remembered. The Toronto Terror went 117-22, with wins against Schmeling, Carnera and Godfrey, and Obie Walker, so he was definitely championship caliber. At 6'2 1/2 inches, Gaines was approaching being one of those big men that Rocky lacks on his record. He seemed to be a slick scientific boxer who mostly lacked power, but he stopped both Schmeling and Godfrey inside the distance, so he seemed to be able to turn it on when he liked. What say all of you?
Gains didn't stop Godfrey,Godfrey was slung out for hitting low. Marciano would be too much for Larry imo. I met Gains at a boxing gig at the Albert Hall, he was a real gentleman happy to reminisce,but he wouldn't comment on Carnera,he just smiled.
Larry wrote highly of Primo. "But against Carnera you did hsve to be careful. For such a big man, he was deceptively fast. He didn't really punch his weight, but he was a very damaging puncher just the same" - Larry Gains autobiography. Page 107
