Best p4p fighter of the 19th century

[JAB5239]

Under the Marquios of Queensbury rules which were instated in 1867, who was the best p4p fighter of the 19th century? Was it Joe Gans? Bob Fitzsimmons? John L. Sullivan? George Dixon? Young Griffo? Who do you have, and Why?

[Miburo]

Under the Marquios of Queensbury rules which were instated in 1867, who was the best p4p fighter of the 19th century? Was it Joe Gans? Bob Fitzsimmons? John L. Sullivan? George Dixon? Young Griffo? Who do you have, and Why?

Really hard to say as the only existing fight footage is from the 1890s, and details are sketchy prior to the point when Sullivan's reign brought the sport a certain celebrity. I'm not even certain how widespread high-level Marquess of Queensbury fights were until the 1880s. Basically the question becomes "who was the greatest of the 1890s."

[Spartacus Sully]

John L Sullivan of course

Bare Knuckle boxing champ....I think that makes him "harder then a coffin nail"

whos knows how well he would have handled corbett in his prime no no wait.....He would have destroyed corbett in his prime.

[Obama]

I'll go with Gans, even tho he wasn't Champion until the 20th century. First runner up would be Dixon. And if the rumours are true that Dixon actually had around ~1000 fights...with a 90% probability of being robbed in all of his defeats...gotta go with Dixon. Second runner up is Peter Jackson, who was so clearly better than Sullivan at the time that it's not even funny. Even the white establishment back then could recognize this fact. Third runner up, Bob Fitzsimmons. Truly remarkable what he could do from Middleweight to Heavyweight.

[Spartacus Sully]

perhaps better but definatly not clearly, and only perhaps better due to the greater number of queensbury rules fights and perhaps because he wasnt a heavy drinker

[Sugarj]

I'll go with Corbett! Hes credited with inventing the left hook, such a good idea.

What sketchy footage there is does show him to be a fairly slick boxer and hell, even post prime he gave Jeffries good fights.

There was a really good highlight video floating round about two months ago, showed an old Corbett mock sparring, looked in good shape for his age well into the 20th century.

[Obama]

I'll go with Corbett! Hes credited with inventing the left hook, such a good idea.

What sketchy footage there is does show him to be a fairly slick boxer and hell, even post prime he gave Jeffries good fights.

There was a really good highlight video floating round about two months ago, showed an old Corbett mock sparring, looked in good shape for his age well into the 20th century.

I wouldn't go with Corbett, but I do agree Corbett > Sullivan.

[StarshipTrooper]

Bob Fitzsimmons: An absolute assasin at Middleweight, won the Heavyweight title not weighing much more than he did as a Middleweight, then wins the new Light-Heavyweight title when well past prime.

PS. He was destroying Jeffries in their first fight before breaking both hands.

Poet

[Kid McCoy]

Under the Marquios of Queensbury rules which were instated in 1867, who was the best p4p fighter of the 19th century? Was it Joe Gans? Bob Fitzsimmons? John L. Sullivan? George Dixon? Young Griffo? Who do you have, and Why?

Bob Fitzsimmons, the original p4p baby.

Boxing's first triple crown champion and still one of the great p4p punchers. Joe Gans and Kid McCoy used to take menial jobs at his training camp just so they could watch him up close, and what greater compliment for the man than that?

[Sugarj]

There is alot of legend surrounding Joe Gans's ability. I personally dont recall seeing him on film. Is there much footage? Joe Louis's trainer Chappy Blackburn taught Louis to use his left like Gans. Must have been good then!!