Name the greatest boxer in the history of the sport ?
20 August 2008, 03:34 PM
#61
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Someone made a good point about the Benn/Eubank/Watson wars. They were big news at the time and could be watched by all and sundry at a half-way decent time of evening on free terrestrial TV (ITV). Pay TV (i.e. Sky in the UK and I guess HBO in the States) destroyed all that. With the exception of the real enthusiasts who were willing and able to pay the subscriptions, no-one else got to see the big fights, which were also usually broadcast at stupid o'clock in the morning, so you didn't even get to see them down your local boozer like a Premiership football match for example.
As a result I for one lost interest completely in the sport about 10 - 15 years ago. I am sure I am not alone in that. I know ITV have tried to make a comeback recently, but I think it's too little too late to win back the masses. I have never actually seen Joe Calzaghe fight on TV for example, nor Ricky Hatton. I know they're very successful, but that's really all I know. I don't think I even saw Lennox Lewis fight after the Olympics!
You can't blame the boxers for chasing the Pay TV cash, but there are sadly a lot less people actually seeing them in action these days. I wish ITV well with their efforts, but even they have financial limits to adhere to when bidding for the very best bouts.
Anyway I am sure you will all disagree with me and tell me that Boxing's never been so popular, blah, blah
Each to their own...
As a result I for one lost interest completely in the sport about 10 - 15 years ago. I am sure I am not alone in that. I know ITV have tried to make a comeback recently, but I think it's too little too late to win back the masses. I have never actually seen Joe Calzaghe fight on TV for example, nor Ricky Hatton. I know they're very successful, but that's really all I know. I don't think I even saw Lennox Lewis fight after the Olympics!
You can't blame the boxers for chasing the Pay TV cash, but there are sadly a lot less people actually seeing them in action these days. I wish ITV well with their efforts, but even they have financial limits to adhere to when bidding for the very best bouts.
Anyway I am sure you will all disagree with me and tell me that Boxing's never been so popular, blah, blah
Each to their own...
22 August 2008, 06:24 PM
#62
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Difficult to talk about the boxers pre-television really guys. . .
Most of the boxers I've read about so far in this topic have all been relatively recent.
For me, the greatest has to be Joe (The Brown Bomber) Louis. He held his world heavyweight title for 11 years, and successfully defended it 25 times. In 2003, "Ring Magazine" named him No.1 on its 100 greatest punchers of all time list. In 2005, he was named as the greatest heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organisation.
Although he had retired from the ring in 1949, he made a comeback in 1951 due to mounting debts to the IRS. He finally retired for good after being defeated in the eighth round by Rocky Marciano. (he'd be 2nd on my list)
For me, the greatest has to be Joe (The Brown Bomber) Louis. He held his world heavyweight title for 11 years, and successfully defended it 25 times. In 2003, "Ring Magazine" named him No.1 on its 100 greatest punchers of all time list. In 2005, he was named as the greatest heavyweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organisation.
Although he had retired from the ring in 1949, he made a comeback in 1951 due to mounting debts to the IRS. He finally retired for good after being defeated in the eighth round by Rocky Marciano. (he'd be 2nd on my list)
22 August 2008, 06:28 PM
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Thats why he was the greatest. . .
22 August 2008, 06:37 PM
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There simply cant be a 'greatest'. Cassius Clay; Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano; Rocky Balboa; Roberto Duran; Marvin Haggler; Mike Tyson (love him or hate him, you have to regard him), Sugar Ray Leonard; Sugar Ray Robinson.
Honourable mentions have to go to Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank; Herol Graham (thats a personal one, but neither of them dare fight him), Frank Bruno (he wasnt the best boxer by far but the look of shock and fear on Mike Tysons face when Frank hit him was priceless, no one hit harder than FB) and Apollo Creed.....
Honourable mentions have to go to Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank; Herol Graham (thats a personal one, but neither of them dare fight him), Frank Bruno (he wasnt the best boxer by far but the look of shock and fear on Mike Tysons face when Frank hit him was priceless, no one hit harder than FB) and Apollo Creed.....
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