Might be a strange thread to some, but other true top 5-10 P4P All Time Greats were giant slayers in their own rights. Langford and even the "poor mans" version of him in Barbados Joe were smaller then Robinson but HW killers. Large heavyweights at that. Harry Greb. He goes without saying when it comes to taking on larger men. But SRR, if he faltered in any minor facet of greatness it may have been wins against far larger fighters that other P4P greats enjoyed. His attempt at capturing the LHW title wasn't succesful, nor did he take on other LHW's like Archie Moore. I guess you can fault Monzon and Hagler in the same way, and some have. BUT they never tried and failed, they simply didn't try at all, which leaves that question mark that maybe, just maybe that could have done it. So how does Robinson do against CW's, medicore ones or not? Jirov, Carlos De Leon, Johnny Nelson, Ossie Ocasio, Carl Thompson, David Haye. As for LHW'S... Spinks, Bob Foster, Billy Conn, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Tommy Loughran, Gene Tunney... Thoughts?
He did actually discuss fighting Moore at 175 when Moore was champ but Moore wouldn't accept his terms Robinson was stretched at MW ashe started at LW and was a FW amateur. He was never as strong or muscularly as dense as the likes of Langford/Greb. Also the LHWs of Langford/Grebs day werent as good as Robinsons day, the sport had also moved on But at his MW best he'd have plenty of success at LHW, boxings not all about weight after all, the skill, speed, athleticism would all see him pick up big wins. At his best he'd beat without a doubt and he'd beat plenty of others. Ultimately he'd likely fall short against the very best who'd catch up to him and stop him late.
Ray might take a couple of the top LHW's in history, maybe a Tiger, or Lesnevich, but most of them would beat Ray. Most of the top cruisers like Holyfied, and DeLeon, would beat him.
I agree with this. What i would add tho is the Ezzard Charles started as a Feather in the Ams, turned pro as a Middle, and won the HW title. So it shows it can be done.
Did SRR ever fight some "over the weight" MW bouts....besides his Lt.Hvyweight shot against Maxim????
I do not see him in any way beating Tunney, Spinks or Qawi. Billy Conn and Tommy Loughran are his best chances of the LHWs you listed imo.
SRR would not fare well with top LHVY's, he was tall but slender. Langford was a sawn off Sonny Liston. This content is protected The fact that Ray gave weight to Lamotta ,and beat him multiple times cements his greatness, imo. This content is protected Ray with Old Arch.
