The Joplin Ghost...the most underrated fighter of 'em all?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mattdonnellon, Dec 25, 2019.


  1. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Am I alone in thinking Jeff Clark the most underrated fighter og the lot, ATG middle and light-heavyweight and a formidable opponent at heavyweight?
     
    mattdonnellon, Dec 25, 2019
    mattdonnellon, Dec 25, 2019
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  2. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    No. If you look at his record objectively he has two wins over top opponents anywhere near their prime (Langford and Jeanette) Langford came out ahead in their series and Jeanette was at least even if not better over him over their series. All of his other wins over name opponents came either when they were very green or well past their best.
     
    klompton2, Dec 25, 2019
    klompton2, Dec 25, 2019
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    mattdonnellon and George Crowcroft like this.
  3. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Thankfully one informed opinion. Wins over Wuest, Levinsky, Norfolk don't impress you? And battling nearly on even terms with truly great heavyweights like Langford and Jeannette whlie under 170 pounds doesn't impress you, could any modern day genuine middleweight have decent go at Usyk at 200?
     
    mattdonnellon, Dec 25, 2019
    mattdonnellon, Dec 25, 2019
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  4. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    What was so special about Wuest?? Levinsky had turned pro the year before and had one notable win to his name (and it wasnt a great win at that), Norfolk, likewise, was relatively inexperienced and just a year earlier had similarly lost in 20 rds to Tommy Connors who isnt being lauded here as an underrated great. Clark would never againbeat Norfolk despite fighting him several times. If those are Clarks best wins why are we questioning his greatness? Would Usyk weigh 200 pounds on a same day weigh in as they had in that era? Would that fight even be made? You are arguing apples and oranges and thats besides the fact thst im not sure notching one win out of several against a couple of guys known to be inconsistent is equivalent to beating the best in the division.
     
    klompton2, Dec 25, 2019
    klompton2, Dec 25, 2019
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  5. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    In Wuest's nine fights prior to losing to Clark he was unbeaten, his opponents were Joe Cox, Clarke, Geyer, Gilbert, McMahon Schreck, and Luther McCarty. Three months later he got the better of Frank Moran. The"inconsistant" Jeannette lost only to Johnson, Langford, Battling Johnson, McVea and Ferguson from 1905 to 1918. Clarke also beat Jim Johnson and McCarty and drew with Wills, all the time weighing in at low 160's. The reason he didn't fight Levinsky again was the fact that Levinsky, or indeed Dillon, wanted no part of him.
     
    mattdonnellon, Dec 26, 2019
    mattdonnellon, Dec 26, 2019
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