Let's pretend we have a boxing time machine, for the purpose of this debate I will use 3 guys that figure highly on my all-time great list, Jimmy Wilde, Bob Fitzsimmons and Harry Greb. I am simply using these to represent a bygone era We all know the arguments. Training methods, sports science, change of technique to the point you can wonder if you are watching the same sport. Added to this the lack of film in some cases, or film of sketchy quality. To add to the misery incomplete records and/or results determined by newspapers Or do you happen to agree with the legends and myths passed down? Can fighters that undoubtedly fought in harder times than these make up for this with their hunger and desire? Guys that had the ability to fight several times a week, nevermind a year. Guys unaffected by the glitz and glamour of modern day boxing. Could some of their unusual styles cause problems today? Ignoring the fact a guy like Jimmy Wilde could fight in about 4 divisions today, could The Ghost With A Hammer In His Hand haunt todays finest? Could Bob Fitzsimmons, the first 3 weight world champion and one of the biggest punchers in the history of the sport upset Pavlik's applecart? What about The Human Windmill himself? I realise the poll is fairly vague and general, but I just want to get an idea NOTE: Take these boxers as they are, not considering modern training methods Vote and discuss
I think that guys like these would still be at the top of the game in todays game. I would have thought that if anything fighting in those days would have been harder than it is now.
The easiest way to answer this question is to ask the reverse - would Danny Williams be a great and dominant champion if we transposed him back to the 20's? Nope. He'd be a journeyman and a british champion capable of a good night, an of troubling great fighters on such a night. The idea of someone with Wilde's power somehow failing in the modern era because of some changes in hand positioning and the availability of Protien in a can is absolutley ludicrous. Wilde, if his activity truly refelcts his ambition would be p4p #1 or #2 at this time due to being a 3-4 weight world champ. Fitz would KO Pavlik in one round. He might struggle with a less aggressive boxer though. Bear in mind though - if he was fighting at 160 it would be the third weight he fought at. Fitz woul turn pro at 147. Unless he managed to get down to 140 for his debut. Greb? Look there is no footage. I consider him one of the best ever to have breathed.
Interesting thoughts, which I happen to agree with I'm interested to hear from the modernist brigade :yep
Did you know that Fitz, Greb and Wilde were all considered technically odd for their day? That is, they were seen as fighting in odd ways, not "by the book". The modernist brigade is going to come in here and criticise these guys for "fighting weird" and "old fashioned". Then they are going to spout endlessly (and accurately) about the greatness of Jones, Whitaker and Mayweather. Men who - guessed it? - "fight weird", hands out of position, rellying on offence/spectacular physical girfts to win their matches for them. I would like to add, though, that it works the same way in reverse. There is no sell-by-date on speed and power. Jones would be the HW champion of the world in 1900, or fighting for it.
they all get knocked out in the first round.. personally i think they'd all be great champions, and only the very best of the current fighters would match them and or beat them. i dont know that much about any - read the wikipedia on JW and HG, i dont know virtually anything about BF though. however i feel, with the exception of the likes of PBF, JC etc. they'd be near the top, and at least a belt holder in their respective divisions..
Corbett is a fine example, though he was blazing a trail to a degree (there are disagreements). Billy Plimmer the old school bantam. Max Scmeling, a bit later but he tussled with Walker who tussled with Greb, so overlapping era's. Tommy Gibbons, who took Dempsey the distance. Jim Driscoll, he's one of your lads.
Its too tough for me to say since I have never seen them fight. All I have to say is that since they were the best (or close to it) or their respected eras I have no doubt that they would at minimum be contenders nowadays. Plus with all the alphabet titles floating around theres no doubt they could at minimum pick a belt
