Where does Freddie Steele Rank Among Top Middleweights

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by standing 8countboxing, Jun 5, 2012.


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  1. standing 8countboxing

    standing 8countboxing Well-Known Member Full Member

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    After my not-so classic Zab Judah question, I post this question about Freddie Steele...Was a tough as nail fighters who continued to fight on a world class level (for a short time, anyway) after a horrific car accident. He didn't have great power, but it seems he was able to find it when he needed too, as a lot of his bigger fights ended by KO.

    Do you guys have any footage of him you can post in this thread? I'm not having much luck.


    Also any stories or antidotes you guys might want to share about Steele would be great.
     
    standing 8countboxing, Jun 5, 2012
    standing 8countboxing, Jun 5, 2012
    #1
  2. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Some threads never quite "hit the heights" here in classic..just ask me about my Hugo Corro-Sven Ottke thread sometimes.
    As for Freddie Steele, I don't yet know just where I rate him, as ratings, i.e. lists just aren't my cup of tea. I will only go as far as this in ranking the middleweights....
    1. Carlos Monzon
    2. Marvin Hagler
    3. SRR
    4. Harry Greb
    The rest can be debated on..so many greats to consider. Freddie Steele has come to my attention only fairly recently. I'm impressed as hell by him in the way he just blew away his competition, but I'm still trying assess just how he'd do against Dick Tiger, Emile Griffith, Jake LaMotta, Gene Fullmer, etc.,
     
    red cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    red cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    #2
  3. Lester1583

    Lester1583 Can you hear this? Full Member

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    From what I've heard Steele's record is a bit misleading - he did have some serious power.

    His fights against Lesnevich and Dundee are on youtube.

    Excellent left hook.

    Impressive stuff.
     
    Lester1583, Jun 5, 2012
    Lester1583, Jun 5, 2012
    #3
  4. SJS19

    SJS19 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The Classic forum, where every MW Champion is a great, except for Bernard.
     
    SJS19, Jun 5, 2012
    SJS19, Jun 5, 2012
    #4
  5. thistle1

    thistle1 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    among them,

    but the middleweight division has dozens, quite literally.

    In it's 3 greatest Era's, the 1940s, the 20s or 50s - going into the 60s (you pick), the Fab 4, Britain's Fab 4 and a few in recent years.

    Over a 100 truely great fighters - Elite, Champs, and Contenders with very little between most of them!!!
     
    thistle1, Jun 5, 2012
    thistle1, Jun 5, 2012
    #5
  6. Hands of Iron

    Hands of Iron #MSE Full Member

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    Don't be such a sour puss, SJS. :D

    If it's any consolation, The Ring circa 2012 calls him the Greatest Middleweight Ever. :rofl :lol: :patsch
     
    Hands of Iron, Jun 5, 2012
    Hands of Iron, Jun 5, 2012
    #6
  7. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    That is very true. You could be the 75th best MW and be a really good fighter.
     
    greynotsoold, Jun 5, 2012
    greynotsoold, Jun 5, 2012
    #7
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  8. Hands of Iron

    Hands of Iron #MSE Full Member

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    Hey buddy, I completely agree. :deal
     
    Hands of Iron, Jun 5, 2012
    Hands of Iron, Jun 5, 2012
    #8
  9. standing 8countboxing

    standing 8countboxing Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Cool, thanks for the answers. I hadn't realized the Ring called him number 1 of all-time. I know it's easy to say "LOL, Ring" but for him to be even considered for that spot on any list is a pretty good honor, but it could be "Ring" saying, "Hey look, here's a good nobody talks about much, let's be different!"

    Or something like that...

    I wrote a very poor story on Steele in my early writing days for ESB. I would link it, but semi-embarrassing, ha.
     
    standing 8countboxing, Jun 5, 2012
    standing 8countboxing, Jun 5, 2012
    #9
  10. dpw417

    dpw417 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Nope...I rate X very high. Best defensive middleweight I've ever seen on film...and Freddie Steele should problably be rated much higher than he is generally considered...But Bernard gives anybody major problems.
     
    dpw417, Jun 5, 2012
    dpw417, Jun 5, 2012
    #10
  11. Hands of Iron

    Hands of Iron #MSE Full Member

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    That was Hopkins Golden Boy rated #1.

    I honestly find more inspiration from looking at Harry Greb's record on a sheet of toilet paper. Check the rose tints. I'm an 80s baby. :cool:
     
    Hands of Iron, Jun 5, 2012
    Hands of Iron, Jun 5, 2012
    #11
  12. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    You forgot to say "fixed"..
     
    red cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    red cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    #12
  13. the cobra

    the cobra Awesomeizationism! Full Member

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    8-12, probably.
     
    the cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    the cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    #13
  14. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Every middle wasn't great, it's just that so many were better than Bernard.
     
    red cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    red cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    #14
  15. the cobra

    the cobra Awesomeizationism! Full Member

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    And for those who are unaware, "so many," means about 5 or 6.

    I got your back, red.:good
     
    the cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    the cobra, Jun 5, 2012
    #15
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