Which fighters used world class sparring partners at least on a semi-consistent basis? I know regular sparring partners are one thing, but surely some fighters have always had one top guy giving them rounds?
It was easier back in the days of the color bar, when the top black fighters needed the money. For example Jack Dempsey had sparring partners who were clearly world class, and often better than the people he was fighting.
Elis for Ali and McCall for Tyson spring to mind. Pac sparred Mikey Garcia and Khan, and Floyd sparred either Spence or Crawford. Those were green version of Garcia and Spence/Crawford, though. Floyd also sparred old Judah. Wlad sparred green AJ. Holy sparred Tua. Don't know what stage Tua was at.
Frank Bruno also sparred with McCall. * Muhammad Ali used Larry Holmes a lot. * Joe Frazier regularly used Ken Norton and Jimmy Young and even Larry Holmes on occasion. * Sonny Liston's regular sparring partner at the end of the 60s was George Foreman. * Earnie Shavers also used Larry Holmes as a sparring partner before Holmes was a contender. * Wlad sparred with a lot of names, including Deontay Wilder. * David Haye hired Wilder to spar with before the Haye-Fury fight that never happened. * Mariusz Wach and Albert Sosnowski used to spar together, which is probably why neither got very good. (LOL)
He used George Godfey, Harry Greb, and and Bill Tate. He even made overtures to Harry Wills at one point.
Very true.Gus Ruhlin and Fitz employed Denver Ed Martin.There was speculation about how they would do against him for real.Holyfield used Tua for the Tyson fight.
All World level Fighters have World Class sparring during a training camp. In tick over periods lads will usually spar their stable mates although that is more difficult with Heavyweights as there don't tend to be many to a gym. Tough sparring is ideal preparation for a big fight while for a prospect on his way up, sparring a World Champion or challenger is a bit of a golden ticket. Some great examples quoted on here already.
Fighters at Jordan gym in Mexico City in the 70s and 80s when Cuyo Hernandez was in charge. I know Zarate and Olivares sparred a lot of rounds together.
Hearns and the Kronk! Man...tommy in the mid 80$ was sparring mccallum day in day out.drayton,mcrory.than mark breland...in the late 80s he had toney and McClellan not to mention one of the toughest brits dennies andries and Michael moorer (though steward kept him away )
