Without doubt, the best pound for pound ever!

[KJ]

i agree with you and not only that but hagler was the greatest middleweight champion of all time.

And I agree with that!

[Yogi]

The phrase POUND FOR POUND was specially coined for Sugar Ray Robinson. He was and is the yardstick upon which all others, subsequently, were measured.

But comparing Robinson with Robinson, it was, I believe, the welterweight Robinson that was the best.

"They expressed very definate disapproval of the verdict, but later cheered the home boy who had upset the fighter who has been characterized as the best in the world, POUND FOR POUND."

-AP fight report written in 1933, which is discussing the controversial first fight between Barney Ross & Tony Canzoneri.

Obviously the specific "pound for pound" phrase was being used long before Robinson hit the scene, and odds are great it was being used long before the early 1930's. If I'm not mistaken, that specific term was even being used in describing the great, Benny Leonard.

[grayfist]

"They expressed very definate disapproval of the verdict, but later cheered the home boy who had upset the fighter who has been characterized as the best in the world, POUND FOR POUND."

-AP fight report written in 1933, which is discussing the controversial first fight between Barney Ross & Tony Canzoneri.

Obviously the specific "pound for pound" phrase was being used long before Robinson hit the scene, and odds are great it was being used long before the early 1930's. If I'm not mistaken, that specific term was even being used in describing the great, Benny Leonard.

I must confess that you must have a better source than I have-- that AP story in particular. I based that statement in oft-repeated claims by writers for Ring and KO ****zines. It's not that I am passing the buck. I'm ****ing my head on walls for taking--with no attempt to seek corroboration-- the word of the so-called, "Bible of Boxing" and its sister publication. I should have sought corroboration, having indeed read that the phrase, somewhere, sometime, has been used on Benny Leonard. It having come from other than Ring, I had blithely passed over it. Unforgiveable intellectual indolence. My fault.