THE BEST EVER-THE LETTER "E"

No surprise. Up until perhaps three years ago the debate over the greatest Filipino fighter of them all revolved around flyweight Pancho Villa and lightweight Gabriel "Flash" Elorde. Elorde was a very fast, smooth southpaw. He was the 130 king for seven years and truly a great fighter.

http://www.ringtv.com/blog/2223/the_best_of_all_time_az_elorde/

In the footage of the second fight with Sandy Saddler, notice Elorde's footwork, his speed and Saddler's legs. Sandy walked on two Popsicle sticks.

The "E's" don't have much else to choose from of such stature. The honorable mentions are the formidable Hiroyuki Ebihara, Frank Erne, Sixto Escobar, Cornelius Boza Edwards and Antonio Esparragoza.

Where's Clifford Etienne on this list?

gomez1012 wrote:

Where's Clifford Etienne on this list?

The E's have a bit more to choose from than THAT.

I'm moving ahead to "F." My pick would be "George Foreman."

4445Frank wrote:

I'm moving ahead to "F." My pick would be "George Foreman."

Bob Fitzsimmons maybe? Bob Foster?

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

I'm moving ahead to "F." My pick would be "George Foreman."

Bob Fitzsimmons maybe? Bob Foster?

Marble, I've read a great deal about boxing but I don't go as far back as Bob Fit. You written some really informative articles on him and I've got to study them more. Bob Foster was a marvelous KO artist. However, I've never seen anything quite like George Foreman before or since his fighting days. I'm sticking with George.

George may be the only fighter in history that could KO Tyson, Norton and Frazier in one night. Maybe I'm going too far here, but I don't know of another fighter that has a better argument than George here.

4445Frank wrote:

George may be the only fighter in history that could KO Tyson, Norton and Frazier in one night. Maybe I'm going too far here, but I don't know of another fighter that has a better argument than George here.

I am not going to have a problem if the selection is Big George. A remarkable, remarkable fighter. But the only guy to be middleweight, LHW and heavy champ? Gotta get at least some consideration doesn't he?

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

George may be the only fighter in history that could KO Tyson, Norton and Frazier in one night. Maybe I'm going too far here, but I don't know of another fighter that has a better argument than George here.

I am not going to have a problem if the selection is Big George. A remarkable, remarkable fighter. But the only guy to be middleweight, LHW and heavy champ? Gotta get at least some consideration doesn't he?

I am not going to have a problem if the selection is Big George. A remarkable, remarkable fighter. But the only guy to be middleweight, LHW and heavy champ? Gotta get at least some consideration doesn't he?[/quote]

Without a doubt. If he wins, it'll just make me that more enthused about reading up on him. Bob F. is the type of fighter who the HOF was created for. I just have limited knowledge of him. Truthfully, before we met, I never knew he was that special of a fighter. It was just a name I heard a lot. If he comes away with the "F" prize (Love the way that sounds. LOL) it would be positive in that a lot of other people would learn about him as well. Marble, check this out. The night of the Holmes - Spinks fight, I specifically recall HBO stating that "Michael Spinks" would be the first LH champ to become champion if he beat Holmes. In other words, we need more smarter announcers. I don't think NFL announcers would screw up a history lesson like that.

4445Frank wrote:

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

George may be the only fighter in history that could KO Tyson, Norton and Frazier in one night. Maybe I'm going too far here, but I don't know of another fighter that has a better argument than George here.

I am not going to have a problem if the selection is Big George. A remarkable, remarkable fighter. But the only guy to be middleweight, LHW and heavy champ? Gotta get at least some consideration doesn't he?

I am not going to have a problem if the selection is Big George. A remarkable, remarkable fighter. But the only guy to be middleweight, LHW and heavy champ? Gotta get at least some consideration doesn't he?

Without a doubt. If he wins, it'll just make me that more enthused about reading up on him. Bob F. is the type of fighter who the HOF was created for. I just have limited knowledge of him. Truthfully, before we met, I never knew he was that special of a fighter. It was just a name I heard a lot. If he comes away with the "F" prize (Love the way that sounds. LOL) it would be positive in that a lot of other people would learn about him as well. Marble, check this out. The night of the Holmes - Spinks fight, I specifically recall HBO stating that "Michael Spinks" would be the first LH champ to become champion if he beat Holmes. In other words, we need more smarter announcers. I don't think NFL announcers would screw up a history lesson like that.


[/quote]

Actually they were technically correct. Fitzsimmons won the heavyweight crown BEFORE he won the light heavyweight crown.

If you really are interested there's a guy named Adam Pollack who has written biographies of Jeffries, Corbett and Fitzsimmons that focuses on their boxing careers. All are worth the read.

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

George may be the only fighter in history that could KO Tyson, Norton and Frazier in one night. Maybe I'm going too far here, but I don't know of another fighter that has a better argument than George here.

I am not going to have a problem if the selection is Big George. A remarkable, remarkable fighter. But the only guy to be middleweight, LHW and heavy champ? Gotta get at least some consideration doesn't he?

I am not going to have a problem if the selection is Big George. A remarkable, remarkable fighter. But the only guy to be middleweight, LHW and heavy champ? Gotta get at least some consideration doesn't he?

Without a doubt. If he wins, it'll just make me that more enthused about reading up on him. Bob F. is the type of fighter who the HOF was created for. I just have limited knowledge of him. Truthfully, before we met, I never knew he was that special of a fighter. It was just a name I heard a lot. If he comes away with the "F" prize (Love the way that sounds. LOL) it would be positive in that a lot of other people would learn about him as well. Marble, check this out. The night of the Holmes - Spinks fight, I specifically recall HBO stating that "Michael Spinks" would be the first LH champ to become champion if he beat Holmes. In other words, we need more smarter announcers. I don't think NFL announcers would screw up a history lesson like that.

Actually they were technically correct. Fitzsimmons won the heavyweight crown BEFORE he won the light heavyweight crown.

If you really are interested there's a guy named Adam Pollack who has written biographies of Jeffries, Corbett and Fitzsimmons that focuses on their boxing careers. All are worth the read. [/quote]Gotcha. I'll put those on my list right along "Ghosts of Manila." Marble, technically they were right, but if they knew about Bob Fitzsimmons, they probably would've said something.

4445Frank wrote:

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

George may be the only fighter in history that could KO Tyson, Norton and Frazier in one night. Maybe I'm going too far here, but I don't know of another fighter that has a better argument than George here.

I am not going to have a problem if the selection is Big George. A remarkable, remarkable fighter. But the only guy to be middleweight, LHW and heavy champ? Gotta get at least some consideration doesn't he?

I am not going to have a problem if the selection is Big George. A remarkable, remarkable fighter. But the only guy to be middleweight, LHW and heavy champ? Gotta get at least some consideration doesn't he?

Without a doubt. If he wins, it'll just make me that more enthused about reading up on him. Bob F. is the type of fighter who the HOF was created for. I just have limited knowledge of him. Truthfully, before we met, I never knew he was that special of a fighter. It was just a name I heard a lot. If he comes away with the "F" prize (Love the way that sounds. LOL) it would be positive in that a lot of other people would learn about him as well. Marble, check this out. The night of the Holmes - Spinks fight, I specifically recall HBO stating that "Michael Spinks" would be the first LH champ to become champion if he beat Holmes. In other words, we need more smarter announcers. I don't think NFL announcers would screw up a history lesson like that.

Actually they were technically correct. Fitzsimmons won the heavyweight crown BEFORE he won the light heavyweight crown.

If you really are interested there's a guy named Adam Pollack who has written biographies of Jeffries, Corbett and Fitzsimmons that focuses on their boxing careers. All are worth the read.

Gotcha. I'll put those on my list right along "Ghosts of Manila." Marble, technically they were right, but if they knew about Bob Fitzsimmons, they probably would've said something. [/quote]

Yup. BTW, if you don't mind a little more obscure stuff and you like high quality writing? Add Jonathan Rendell's "This Bloody Mary" about a writer tunred manager who guides a british fighter to a strap and the GREAT Dark Trade by Don Mcrea. All about 1990's fighters. Fascinating and scary.

Scary? How? The boxing underworld?

did anybody mention alfredo escalera?

RUM CAPITAL wrote:

did anybody mention alfredo escalera?

Good point. He escaped me.

4445Frank wrote:

Scary? How? The boxing underworld?

Much worse. Getting inside the mind of James Toney.

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

Scary? How? The boxing underworld?

Much worse. Getting inside the mind of James Toney.

How so? I always thought Toney was a nice guy playing a bad guy for the sake of his job.

4445Frank wrote:

marbleheadmaui wrote:

4445Frank wrote:

Scary? How? The boxing underworld?

Much worse. Getting inside the mind of James Toney.

How so? I always thought Toney was a nice guy playing a bad guy for the sake of his job.

A truly tough, mean and troubled young man.