Which heavyweight champions fought the best fighter on the planet most often.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by McGrain, Mar 27, 2023.


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  1. SimonLock

    SimonLock Member Full Member

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    James J Corbett (1-3-1)

    Peter Jackson (D)
    John L Sullivan (W)
    Bob Fitzsimmons (L)
    James J Jeffries (L)
    James J Jeffries (L)

    It can be argued that Jackson wasn’t #1, and that Sullivan wasn’t lineal or #1, but I have included both.
     
    SimonLock, Mar 27, 2023
    SimonLock, Mar 27, 2023
    #31
  2. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Insane to me that Wlad and Holmes had an absurd combined amount of champion years between them and only fought two fights each against the best of the best. Absurd.
     
    Gazelle Punch, Mar 27, 2023
    Gazelle Punch, Mar 27, 2023
    #32
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  3. Barrf

    Barrf Boxing Addict Full Member

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    A lot of the best fighters were probably fighting in the "colored" side of things way back when. I'd bet going through some of the "colored" champs like this would yield numbers that beat any of the above.
     
    Barrf, Mar 27, 2023
    Barrf, Mar 27, 2023
    #33
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  4. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    The 'colored' champions were actual heavyweights, unlike most of Johnson's opposition.
     
    Melankomas, Mar 27, 2023
    Melankomas, Mar 27, 2023
    #34
  5. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    Interesting thread.

    I would personally be inclined to inclined to include Ali for Holmes, and by extension, I'd include Jeffries for Johnson and Louis for Ezzard. But I can understand the view to exclude.
     
    Rumsfeld, Mar 27, 2023
    Rumsfeld, Mar 27, 2023
    #35
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  6. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    It's certainly eye opening. Obviously Wlad had his brother muddying the waters but McGrain's list still stands as factual.
     
    JohnThomas1, Mar 27, 2023
    JohnThomas1, Mar 27, 2023
    #36
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  7. Tap Tap Makhatini

    Tap Tap Makhatini Member Full Member

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    I'm not sure i'm getting some of this (apologies). Why are the likes of Folley, Patterson and Norton on it for Ali and not Cooney for Holmes? Is it based on Ring magazine ratings or the fact that there was a WBA champ at the time?
     
    Tap Tap Makhatini, Mar 28, 2023
    Tap Tap Makhatini, Mar 28, 2023
    #37
  8. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Yeah, I mean being frank the ratings I use are in the OP.
     
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    #38
  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    It does mix the mind though, and GP is right about the Ali case for Holmes - Holmes never established any new lineage, back comes Ali, does his lineal claim survive retirement if no new lineage is begun in his absence? I think it appeals to me enough that I might add him.
     
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    #39
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  10. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Well Jeffries for Johnson certainly won't happen. He was neither the number one contender nor the lineal champ. Louis might be included for Charles, but Charles isn't on the list (as per the OP). Ali/Holmes, I think there's a real argument for including Ali there, yes.
     
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    #40
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  11. Tap Tap Makhatini

    Tap Tap Makhatini Member Full Member

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    Fair enough. Seems a bit harsh on Holmes that Folley counts but Cooney (or Shavers 2) doesn't.
     
    Tap Tap Makhatini, Mar 28, 2023
    Tap Tap Makhatini, Mar 28, 2023
    #41
  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Folley was number one, Cooney and Shavers weren’t - I think.
     
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    #42
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  13. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Apologies if I missed some filter or point of criteria, but shouldn't Ali also be credited for his win over Liston in their rematch?

    Also, just for consideration, after Fitz lost the title to Jeffries, he went on a nice tear over the next year, punctuated by his 2nd round KO of Tom Sharkey, but he was inactive for 2 years prior to facing Jeffries in their rematch. As already mentioned, there would be an argument for Johnson having greater eligibility.
     
    Pugguy, Mar 28, 2023
    Pugguy, Mar 28, 2023
    #43
  14. Tap Tap Makhatini

    Tap Tap Makhatini Member Full Member

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    Seems strange that Holy is in Tyson's list, yet Tyson isn't in Holy's list.
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2023
    Tap Tap Makhatini, Mar 28, 2023
    Tap Tap Makhatini, Mar 28, 2023
    #44
  15. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Because Lewis was ahead of Tyson.
     
    JohnThomas1, Mar 28, 2023
    JohnThomas1, Mar 28, 2023
    #45
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