Quote:
Originally posted by SC:
Joe Louis had his "bum-of-the-month" opponents but he fought some quality names, too (Max Baer, Max Schmeling, Billy Conn, Jim Braddock). I rule him out, though, since most of his career was spent against "no-names".

Rocky Marciano, although maybe the hardest hitting fighter ever, gets ruled out for the same reason. Sure, he was undefeated (and thats something to consider) and sure, he fought some quality opponents (Archie Moore, Jersey Joe Walcott Ezzard Charles) but like Louis he fought mostly "no-names".

Interestingly, neither Louis nor, especially, Marciano would be considered heavyweights today. Louis usually fought at under 200 lbs.; Marciano at about 185--cruiserweights today.
Ezzard Charles weighed 184 when he defeated the over-the-hill Louis (blown up to 218) in 1950. Some ring historians think Charles was a boxing great. Others note that he was "owned" by Frankie (Mr. Gray) Carbo of the Mob.

Ntra la porta tua lu sangu � sparsu,
E nun me mporta si ce muoru accisu...
E s'iddu muoru e vaju mparadisu
Si nun ce truovo a ttia, mancu ce trasu.