Joe Gans, The Old Master...

[12TRIBEsRiSe]

Ive noticed the pugilist isn't mentioned around here much... Found an interesting article about him, my dad used to have film on him its not much out there he was a monster!

Many boxing fans consider Sugar Ray Robinson to be the greatest fighter of all time, but is this really so? There are a number of good candidates for such a claim. Besides Robinson, there is Bob Fitzsimmons, Terry McGovern and George Dixon all named as the greatest fighter of the 19th century by various authors in the National Police Gazette (See for example Feb. 16, 1901 and Dec 24, 1904 NPG). All time greats like Sam Langford, Benny Leonard, Harry Greb, Henry Armstrong and Willie Pep all have their supporters, as do heavyweights like Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali. There are also some more recent choices such as Eder Jofre or Roberto Duran. Few of them, however, can match the combined skills, toughness, and athleticism of Joe Gans, the man the world called "The Old Master."


Full Article:

Thoughts?

[GrandpaBernard]

who is that in your signature?

[SBleeder]

Great article about a great fighter.

For me, Joe Gans ranks behind only two men (Robinson and Armstrong) P4P all-time. He's the greatest lightweight in history, and in a 3, 5, or 7 fight series I'd bet on him to beat every single lightweight who has ever lived, without exception. That includes Duran, Benny, Whitaker... everyone.

There is not a huge abundance of footage of Gans, but I've watched every fight of his that I can find (including buying several VHS tapes off of ebay that never made it onto Youtube); based on that footage, his resume, and written/oral descriptions of his abilities, I feel convinced that he would be a dominant world champion in any era. And no, he would not need "modern training and nutrition" or any of that nonsense to dominate in a more modern environment.

[NChristo]

who is that in your signature?

Juan Zurita.

[Ray Corso]

Gans was caught inbetween the "modern era" 1901 and the past that was dominated by the Marquis of Queensbury styled fighters! Gans helped bring in the change of styles along with Jack Johnson and others. The old style of dropping weight on the back foot and lean away was faulty and that move today will not work on the high caliber talented fighters. Ali got away with it but he was an exception because of reaction time and size. I don't believe Gans talents stand up to Ike Williams and I think Benny Leonard slides by him.
My opinion is based on styles not tuffness or willingness or punch power!
By the time boxing gets to the mid 30s and into the 40s the entire "look" of a boxers style has evolved into Sugar Ray Robinson and that style has been the one fighters have strived to copy but no one has attained the mastery yet! Ray.

[IronDanHamza]

There was a thread about him the other day concerning his arguable #1 spot at LW.

He's certainly one of the very all time greats of the sport.

[BattlingNelson]

I think Poet posted the article by Cox some time ago. A great read that makes an outstanding case for Gans as the no.1 LW in history.

[#1Assassin]

dude went over 20 rounds with a beast as he was dying of tuberculoisis, fighters today struggle to go 12 in their prime after months of nothing but preparation.

[12TRIBEsRiSe]

Great article about a great fighter.

For me, Joe Gans ranks behind only two men (Robinson and Armstrong) P4P all-time. He's the greatest lightweight in history, and in a 3, 5, or 7 fight series I'd bet on him to beat every single lightweight who has ever lived, without exception. That includes Duran, Benny, Whitaker... everyone.

There is not a huge abundance of footage of Gans, but I've watched every fight of his that I can find (including buying several VHS tapes off of ebay that never made it onto Youtube); based on that footage, his resume, and written/oral descriptions of his abilities, I feel convinced that he would be a dominant world champion in any era. And no, he would not need "modern training and nutrition" or any of that nonsense to dominate in a more modern environment.

great post thanks alot! the vhs my dad owned were great!! i wish i could find them but u know how that goes! he was a beast i hated that he had to take those dives at times but we all understand that! i think hed beat all those u named at LW also!

[12TRIBEsRiSe]

Gans was caught inbetween the "modern era" 1901 and the past that was dominated by the Marquis of Queensbury styled fighters! Gans helped bring in the change of styles along with Jack Johnson and others. The old style of dropping weight on the back foot and lean away was faulty and that move today will not work on the high caliber talented fighters. Ali got away with it but he was an exception because of reaction time and size. I don't believe Gans talents stand up to Ike Williams and I think Benny Leonard slides by him.
My opinion is based on styles not tuffness or willingness or punch power!
By the time boxing gets to the mid 30s and into the 40s the entire "look" of a boxers style has evolved into Sugar Ray Robinson and that style has been the one fighters have strived to copy but no one has attained the mastery yet! Ray.

yeah i can see what ur saying with ike williams who is one of my all time favs but gans reflexes were a tad bit better imo but williams brought pretty much everything to the table i think Gans has an edge in power! as far as Leonard i think he was better than the ****** *** wizard i have to go back n watch more on him tho. thanks for the feedback!!!