The Gods of War

My pick for #1 is still Greb. Think about it, you could argue perfect scores for him in every one of Stoney's criteria. The lowest total I could see him achieving would be about 95 or so, whereas I'd have Robinson at about a 93 or 94.

 

Based on Stoney's criteria.

Harry Greb


Experience: 25/25 (can this really be questioned?)
Ring Generalship: 15/15 (unless you take away from him on the basis that he wasn't your typical boxer-puncher, which I certainly don't, considering his style was proven against pretty much every manner of opponent imaginable)
Dominance: 15/15 (Can't really be questioned, IMO)
Longevity: If Armstrong gets a 13, Greb has to have at least a 14.
Durability: 10/10 (unquestionable)
P/LO: I'd have to give him a 10, absolutely no lower than a 9.
Intangibles: If there's a fighter who deserves a 10 here, it's gotta be Greb. Fighting consistently larger opponents, fighting half blind for the majority of his latter career, immeasurable success inside the ring despite undisciplined work ethic, etc. No lower than a 9

At the least, that's a 96 or 97 out of 100 possible points. I don't see how Robinson gets the edge based on this.

 

Thanks a million,Stonehands.Sublime stuff yet again.

 

Greb has to be no1, especially considering Stoneys criteria.

 

Agreed.

I remember him asking for a McLarnin pic at one point....was it going to encompass more fighters before or did the placings change?

 

It would be really great if you would make a Top20 out of that ^^

 

Very interesting concepts on how you construct your stories. You do in fact capture the 'essense' of each of the greats, and it is facinating reading. (I'm a big fan of this series.) It's also interesting that you brought up the subject of rage (with Duran) I think the subjects of your next two pieces fought with a rage as well...An old story I remember from an autobiography of Ronnie Lott the hard nosed all -pro free safety who once had a finger amputated after it was broken in a previous playoff game, so he could play the following week, always stated he played with a consuming rage. That in itself isn't surprising...but he commented that his teamate on those great 49 squads, the cool, unflappable, quarterback Joe Montana also played with a great rage equal to his own...but he displayed it in a much different manner...Cool and detached, but equally intense.

Rage is a funny thing...I have a feeling these next two gods of boxing had plenty...I've always felt they were desperate men from where they came from and from the times, in which they lived... and desperate men are dangerous men. (if I'm thinking correctly on their identities that is.)

 

Agree with this 100%.

It's hard to keep lavishing these articles with praise without sounding like an arse kisser, but seriously, these articles so far have been nothing short of mind blowing.

 

Agreed.

 

I'm a Stonehands ass-kisser.I freely admit it.