You're mis-reading Suzie. I meant- not only is he great on paper, he's great on film. I thought it was pretty clear really. It was aimed at anyone who was about to come onto this thread and claim he looks primitive or any other insane bull****.
Your right it was clear. I thought you said "Just not on paper" rather than what you actually said "not just on paper"
Sort of unique on film realy. I cant really think of any other fighter to compare Schmeling to stylisticaly, from any era. He was a chimera of diferent styles who superposed the boxing book.
If you are talking at heavyweight, then somewhere around #18-#20 If you consider the cruiserweight division (meaning you count the fighters who were under 200 lbs even before the division was established), then i'd have him in the top 10 behind Louis, Dempsey, Marciano, Johnson, Tunney, Holyfield and a few others.
I wouldn't be able to remember what snippet it's from now, but i remember watching him vs Baer, and Baer has hurt him and is mounting one of his monstrous attacks, and Schmeling times a perfect right hand on his much taller and advancing assailant, and under pressure as well. He's the first person i think of when the 'right hand' is brought up.
Baer knocked the **** outta Schmelling back around 1932 or '33..... I have a decnt copy from ESPN Classics....... MR.BILL
Just think where Baer would rank had he took fighting seriously. The guy had an Iron Chin and a LETHAL right hand. Not to mention he banged just about all the top Hollywood Starlets of the time.
Then you should go back ant watch it. This was an even fight up to the stoppage. Baer even said he got lucky that Schmeling didn“t got it that he had him on the brink of going out, too. Great fight.
Are these lists suppose to be based on ability or achievement? It makes a big difference. Because someone like Marciano achieved something no other HW champion did, but head-to-head he would lose to many guys.