SRR: Overrated or not?

Universally thought of by all experts at that time as the best of the best.

 

In terms of accomplishments it's unlikely that anybody will surpass SRR, Greb and their kin. Different times, fighters fight less and do so for money with as little risk as possible.

H2H is a different story. A guy from the 1950s is not going to be the best forever...as for if anyone already surpassed him..debatable.

 

All time talent is all time talent. SRR boxing ability and power is tough to match.

 

A bigger talent pool in conjuction with modern training methods and steroids is bound to eventually create a superior fighter...unless boxing completely falls off the radar as a relevant sport.

 

I'd say your first question is a symptom of an ongoing bias. Robinson himself is not overrated (the fighter and his achievements) but the likes of Sam Langford and Harry Greb had careers every bit as amazing as Sugars, arguably more so.

It can be tough selling the oldies. Many respect the older generation on more of a tipping-of-the-hat basis than genuine praise which gets at the kernel of the consensus, that being, to many, Robinson represents everything a boxer should be, the cream of when boxing became 'modernised', but that doesn't make him the best outright.

Harry Greb's entire career could magically come out in 4K definition and reveal just how ugly he fought. I'm sure many would point the finger and say silly things like Shawn Porter would grill him. No matter, what he did to his opponents (great opponents we can all agree) proves how effective he was, how good he was. Looks are irrelevant, or so we think...

Fact is a small percentage of boxing is a beauty contest which continues to be of service to Robinson's legacy. It's not always the knockout that swoons us, the number of defences, but the things in between, that gliding nature, that svelte build, that cinematic quality which befits the hero of the day.

 

Talent pool is highly watered down today. Many champions, many top challengers so it's easier to be a champion. Easier to be a champion, easier to be a contender less need to really know what you are doing, less of a need to work hard.

 

Could out box the boxers...and out punch the punchers...

 

Great post. SRR, Joe Louis, Benny Leonard, Ali, even Duran in his own way... they all had that sweetness in form that gets ingrained in your mind. They remain at the top of the polls and likely will never leave.

On the other hand fighters without the benefit of good mnemonic highlights like Greb are more likely to get stuck in the mud of doubt no matter what trail of destruction they leave behind.

Well, we already have footage of maybe the only man to have snatched one from a 100 percent prime Greb and he doesn't look awe inspiring which hurts his popularity (unjustly me thinks).

Now, to answer the thread, besides his very, very unique record Robbie was a unique physical specimen, had a great boxing brain, an unquenchable thirst for victory, killer instincts, every ingredient for greatness he had it and well above the "very good" threshold.
It's not a single thing. It's the package.

 

Michael Jordan, overrated or not?
Sandy Koufax, overrated or not?
Barry Sanders, overrated or not?
Willie Mays, overrated or not?
Galileo, overrated or not
Shakespere, overrated or not?
Abraham Linconln overrated or not?

Come on.

 

Robinson was about as near perfection as you could get in a fighter when he was at his very best.

 

Robinson was not overrated, there were certain aspects of him that were overrated but not total.

 

He had all the attributes at a very high level of an ATG fighters. Great boxer, great puncher, tough as nails and tremendous will to win.

 

Not overrated at all, his achievements speak volumes...and watching him box is quite simply a thing of beauty.

Paraphrasing (or plagiarising!!) Samuel Johnson...if you are tired of SRR you are tired of boxing...