Underrated all time greats

X, I'm generally not a fan of saying if fighter x had been such and such, had a bigger punch, a better chin or whatever etc, but Winstone really would've benefited from heavier hands. He fought more like a boxer-puncher than a pure boxer, which is what he usually gets classed as because of his great movement, jab and clean technique. He was aggressive but just didnt have the punch to back it up and didn't mind a tear up, a bit like Walter McGowan, another lovely UK stylist from that era.

Legra was a formidable talent, I agree. About on par with Barrera, Marquez, Morales imo in terms of ability, albeit different in style. A nasty matchup for all three of them too I'd wager.

 

Just been rewatching Laciar dismantle the skilled and talented Mathebula. Mini Galindez and a cracking little fighter.

 

Yesss! Great shout on Laciar! Whats sad is, he's on the HOF ballot and has no shot of getting in

 

Just a note for @Tin_Ribs @George Crowcroft @Jel, looks like Flo_Raiden will be joining here also. He's a quality poster.

 

Jack Britton is a top three/five welterweight for me, yet barely anyone mentions him (probably due to the lack of footage). He started off as a lightweight, fighting the murderers row of the 1900s and '10s, where he beat the likes of Charlie White, Leach Cross, Matty Baldwin, Philadelphia Pal Moore, Johnny Griffiths, Soldier Bartfield and Lockport Jimmy Duffy. He'd also fight two of the divisions' very best ever, in Leonard and McFarland. He'd tie with Packey, and controversially beat Leonard via disqualification. More on that later.

As he moved up in weight, he fought Are Ted about 20 times, in the welterweight divisions fiercest rivalry. A rivalry which he'd win, by some distance. He won the title (the first time; losing it to Ted Kid Lewis in his first defence) off Mike Glover, he won it again from Lewis and would successfully defend it nine times, before again losing it to Lewis. Wining it for the third time, and the second time off Lewis, he'd go on another 12 defence run before losing the title to Mickey Walker, the same Walker which he'd beat the year prior. Ignore what it says on boxrec, that result is erroneous. It should be mentioned, that Britton was THIRTY-FIVE when he beat Walker. That's old for a welterweight now, let alone in the 1920s after 300 fights against the greatest competition ever. In two non-title fights, he beat ATG middleweight Mike O'Dowd. A man who'd best Harry fuckin Greb.

He has ten wins over Ted Kid Lewis. A win over Mickey Walker. Two wins over Mike O'Dowd. Beat Willie KO Brennan, Charlie White, Leach Cross, Mike Glover, Philadelphia Pal Moore, Johnny Griffiths and Soldier Bartfield. As well as a draw with Packey McFarland. His win over Benny Leonard is a strange one. I've heard all sorts, but essentially the gist is that it was really close, Leonard dropped him with a body shot, and after Britton claimed it were a foul. After the referee dismissed Britton's claim, Leonard hit him while he were getting back to his feet so he was DQ'd.

ATG résumé, insane longevity, 21 total title defences, but a bit inconsistent in non-title fights. It's such a shame that there's no footage. Top 3 WW; Top 30 P4P, IMO.

 

Jiro Watanabe has yet to be mentioned.

And Myung Woo Yuh, but at least Yuh is the HOF.

Masao Ohba, also highly underrated.

 

Nice one, Flo is indeed a really good poster. There are still plenty of good posters over on ESB but the nobs spoil it. John_Thomas and Philly I really like and get on with. It's good to see Bujia back too, he's mellowed out a bit with age it seems. I know Flea used to upset a few people but Bujia was brutal with idiots back in the day, it was piss funny. greynotsoold is another I really respect, clearly a knowledgeable trainer but without being arrogant or in your face about it.

 

Yeah, he was a great, great fighter and is definitely underrated relative to his achievements. Like you say, his record and longevity are freakish.

 

I guess the next invite might go out Dubblechin - only that would be a return.

He started over here with us many many years ago, then took his act to Eastside (like me). Only I've been splitting my time for years - Dubble just left us. I don't remember why.

 

I think he left after not showing up for a efight with dobie

 

Dobie. Jesus Christ, that's a name I haven't heard in years .

 

Do tell fellas

 

Not much to tell. He was.going back and forth with that dobie character, and said he was going to show up to a boxing event (dont rebember which) to fight him. As expected, he was nowhere to be seen, so je became a bit of a laughing stock. Dont rebemeber why he went mad like this though. It was weird, posted for weeks that he was coming to kick dobie ass

 

Yeah, spill it lads.

Anyhow, Sammy Mandell beat Jackie Fields, Rocky Kansas, Billy Petrolle, Tony Canzoneri, Jimmy McClarnin, Johnny Dundee and Memphis Pal Moore amongst others. The Singer loss and being seen as a lesser, light fisted version of Leonard have overshadowed his achievements but he was an immense fighter.

 

Speaking of Bujia, @Tin_Ribs. He'd go out in a storm in this thread, with his love for early days LWs. Man sure knew his shit when it came to those. He was an absolute massive help in doing my top fifty lightweights.

 

Well, after Dubble sees JOM's post, I'm sure he'll leave again LMAO!

But I don't think there's a point in me messaging him. He knows we're here - I'm sure he just doesn't wanna come back.

The one poster from the past who's badly needed in serious boxing discussions in Donnybrook, but Donny's been gone for like what, 8-10 years now? He's not coming back. I hope nothing bad happened to him, he was always very respectful.

 

I do like an online offer to meet up and fight a complete stranger, the sheer dumbfuckery has to be applauded. I usually imagine it being like Jimmy and Timmy in 'Cripple Fight' on South Park.

 

Alright, I'll message Bujia. I'm almost done with work for the day.

 

I actually have an inside story from Matthew Hatton about a guy who started on Matt over Facebook and actually met up to fight him at the gym.

 

If you want to throw a curve ball in there, I'd say message Henry Hank.

He's absolutely fucking mental, but he's honest to God one of the best posters on there IMO. Not seen him in a while though, but definitely worth having on. He's seen every fight in history btw.

 

He was like you and rough diamond back in the day, sort of a teenage prodigy. Him, Manassa and GPater. I was young myself, me, Flea, Russell et al but his knowledge always impressed me.

 

I think Flea is about 32. I seem to remember him saying that DLH-Mayeather was on his 18th birthday or something.

What does that have to do with anything? Absolutely nothing. I just wanted to show off my useless knowledge. That's what boxing forums are for, right?

 

hard to imagine anyone being intimidated by him. seen him around at fights. nice guy, but hardly an imposing figure

 

I was a young prodigy myself in the early 00s. Your knowledge is quite impressive.

 

Kid Lewis seems to get a lot more attention and acclaim than Britton despite being considered the loser of their rivalry - likely because of all his vaunted weight hopping, plus film actually exists of him.

 

Thanks man.

I'll spread them a bit wider, just incase anyone else wants a go.

 

I honestly think that's because he's British. I love are lads as much as the next man, but we do overrate them. Lewis gets quite a bit of acclaim as one of Britain's best, which tends to mean he gets mentioned more than Jack.

Also, what? Film exists????

 

Don't let him know, but you have to be at least 35 to qualify for the free Ferrari contest Xplosive has going.

 

Of Lewis, yes.

 

Yeah, Kyle is about three years younger than me iirc.

I personally like showing my useless knowledge off to myself in the mirror when I'm having a piss, and then panicking when I miss the pot and hit the radiator.