The Most Complete Boxer Ever

[ThunderFists]

And that is what you are doing, son--imagining. Yes, there are tapes of Robinson in his prime. Learn something before you try to argue with me. I **** heads together around here. Yours will be next.

Performing self fellatio is not an argument. The only thing you **** is that little hole in between your mattress and your bed

[BKM-]

Performing self fellatio is not an argument. The only thing you **** is that little hole in between your mattress and your bed

I read that in a Cockney accent.

[Rusty Tromboni]

The hole in Duran's game was runners. Runners made him quit

Oh yeah, when?

[billeau2]

Tunney did not even have enough of a career to be the most complete fighter. It takes a complete resume as well. Tunney did not have that. He fought a declined Dempsey and a smaller Greb.

Rusty really knows nothing at all. He can't see anything in Sanchez. What a consistent churl.

A churl indeed! I looked up the expression and there was a picture of Rusty... He was on a hose blowing away about Sanchez and heating a whole house with his words of wisdom...

Im still considering who is really complete and not just excellent.

[billeau2]

Yes, a hell of a career. He did a great job of dodging black fighters--hell of a career. Only problem is, he missed most of the great fighters of his era. What a career!

Im with Houdini on this one... Tunney is who comes to mind as my first pick. How about Sugar Ray Leonard? Good power, chin, defensive skills, could box, could slug when needed... Mayweather could also be considered. He could pop, when his hands allowed it.

How about Marquez? Could box a win, slug a win, etc. Could counter you... Im going strong on Manuel marquez because he beat Pacquio, one of the greats...and he did so relying on outboxing (one outing), outgutting (one outing where he was down like 3 times the first two rounds) and eventually outslugging.

[billeau2]

He challenged Wills. Wills declined.

Tunney’s level of prejudice was not uncommon for that time period.

Tunney was the greatest technical boxer in heavyweight championship history.

Yup and it isn't even close.

[Willie Pep 229]

Tunney did not even have enough of a career to be the most complete fighter. It takes a complete resume as well. Tunney did not have that. He fought a declined Dempsey and a smaller Greb.

Rusty really knows nothing at all. He can't see anything in Sanchez. What a consistent churl.

Could you possibly choose a different phrase other than "not enough of a career" we are here, after all, talking of a fighter with 67 fights, never stopped, and only knocked down once (that by one of the game's most powerful punchers) and as far as we can discern never backed away from a fight worth taking.

The question was 'who is the most complete boxer' -- I realize this is your question but IMO length of career should maybe be brought into play as a tie breaker further down the road, but to make it an upfront dis-qualifier seems to run afoul of the question's theme.

But going back to my original point, the guy had 67 fights; five with Harry Greb and two with Jack Dempsey.

And how come I never heard anyone crediting Tunney with moving up in weight? How come it's always the opposite story with Tunney, "Oh, he didn't fight enough at HW" therefore he can't be the GOAT." How about saying it the other way around, the guy dominated the LHW division for almost a decade and then took apart a legend at HW.

Complete boxer or best career?

Complete boxer: Strength, speed, technique, footwork, chin, power (48 KO), self-discipline/training, consistency of performances, even throw in crisis management, he was tested there as well (Greb I; Dempsey II).

It's funny, but he probably doesn't get a "10" in any category, but he's also probably a 9 in all of them. Is there really anyone else that scores out with all nines?

Anyway, I throw in my vote for Tunney; If not Tunney then Tony Danza.

[IronDanHamza]

Harold Johnson.

[Rusty Tromboni]

Charles was not really complete because he was only a medium puncher.

What's a "medium puncher"?

[Rusty Tromboni]

You are subscribing to all the myths, I see.

Robinson got hit way too much to be the most complete fighter ever. He was a great fighter, and maybe the greatest fighter ever overall, but that does not make him the most COMPLETE boxer at all. He is not even close to that. It was a mediocre ring general who over exerted himself against the mediocre Maxim and lost as a result.

Now come back with how hot it was that night. Duh!

Yeah, I think this sums it up. He was actually pretty well- rounded and versatile. But definitely not complete.

I really don't buy into him being the best ever. Several others are clearly more satisfactory claimants.