The best HOMEGROWN BRITISH heavyweights of all-time ?

Winning the Olympic gold medal is a more significant achievement than earning any domestic pro titles ... especially when you are considered the first heavyweight in your nation's entire history to do so.

I explained that.

Just like Anthony Joshua becoming the second British heavyweight to win gold was A BIGGER accomplishment and more valuable to his career than, let's say, him winning the commonwealth belt against Gary Cornish next month. Or do you think a Cornish win would be bigger?

:roll:

Harrison won the gold, became a huge celebrity sports star, was reviled by many for his big TV deal and his arrogance, ran off 19 wins in a row, and then it was all derailed by Williams.

He never achieved any major ring success as a pro, but winning gold in a country that never had a big man win it was a HUGE deal. HUGE.

If he had a few more pro wins, Harrison would probably rate above Cooper. But Cooper's pro career was better (although he lost a ton as well).

 

You obviously don't have any problem rating him above Farr, despite the fact that he never got past Commonwealth level as a professional!

 

And Farr never won the Olympic Gold Medal. Edging a near-retired Max Baer (and losing a return to him) wasn't as significant.

First heavyweight Olympic Gold Medalist in your nation's history is bigger.

Deal with it.

 

Erm, no I am sorry.

Defeating a lineal heavyweight champion, and becoming the #2 heavyweight contender, massively surpasses any possible amateur achievement.

That is why Audley Harrison was able to win an Olympic gold medal, then achieve next to nothing at world level as a professional.

 

No. It doesn't. If you think Nino Valdes edging former champ Ezzard Charles and getting ranked #1 is a bigger achievement than Teofilo Stevenson winning a gold medal (or three) ... you're high.

Ask a Cuban.

 

Do not be flippant; you know what they mean. And we have had a bit of fun on a thread that is now three pages, rather three posts long...

 

I guess that you must be a Cuban, or a resident in some other communist country!

I am not taking anything away from the top amateurs, but they are either kids, or men who built their reputations beating kids.

Professional boxing is a much tougher gig, and there is a reason why amateurs who turn professorial, have to be rebuilt from square one.

 

Well, all of them except for Lennox Lewis, because apparently he isn't a British heavyweight because he never learned anything after he turned pro.

BOOM !!!

See how I brought that back around.

I've got to go. Thanks for the debate.