Tony Zale V **** Tiger?

[Ivich]

I’ve never heard of “Ranker” but considering they have Tommy Hearns at #6 it is obviously a totally ridiculous list.

The Ring’s list has Tiger ahead of him and he’s only on the other list because they’ve left out fighters who “weren’t prime” at 160 which is a ridiculous criteria.

Because you have never heard of these lists means they aren't valid?
You've heard of The Ring right? In the May 1994 issue they ranked the all time fighters in each division Zale came in7th at middleweight, Tiger didn't make the cut.
Whats ridiculous here is your blatant agenda!

[Willie Pep 229]

As a child when one first learns the history of the fight game he learns the conventional wisdoms (right and wrong) promoted by the magazine writers, the TV announcers, and the older men around him.

I heard much about Tony Zale 'The Man of Steel' - but don't remember any of the old timers being WOWed by **** Tiger. Maybe unfair!

It makes me wonder how much 'great fights' play into legacy.

[Ivich]

As a child when one first learns the history of the fight game he learns the conventional wisdoms (right and wrong) promoted by the magazine writers, the TV announcers, and the older men around him.

I heard much about Tony Zale 'The Man of Steel' - but don't remember any of the old timers being WOWed by **** Tiger. Maybe unfair!

It makes me wonder how much 'great fights' play into legacy.

Zale's trilogy with Graziano probably plays a huge part in enhancing his status .
A pre war Zale v Graziano would probably not have been competitive imo,the fact that Zale was past his prime made it so.
I can't really blame Zale for going for his money pot pension plan against Rocky but the fact remains that in1946 ,after 6 warm up fights to shake the rust off.Zale didnt take on his number 1 challenger ,Holman Williams, his number 2,Charley Burley,or even his number 3 Jake Lamotta.He defended against number 4 Graziano. The war years meant that deserving challengers such as Moore no1 in42,Burley.Williams,Basora,Booker,Chase.Welch,Bel loise,Tunero .never got title shots.Of course those same years robbed Zale of his prime and his income,so its swings and roundabouts really.
I'd pick Tiger to beat Zale and Lamotta too,but if he fought each 10 times he is dropping some decisions ,imo.

[The Old LefHook]

I’ve never heard of “Ranker” but considering they have Tommy Hearns at #6 it is obviously a totally ridiculous list.

The Ring’s list has Tiger ahead of him and he’s only on the other list because they’ve left out fighters who “weren’t prime” at 160 which is a ridiculous criteria.

Most of the lists one finds with an easy search are total rubbish published by youngsters who have barely heard of the old time great fighters.

[Willie Pep 229]

Zale's trilogy with Graziano probably plays a huge part in enhancing his status .
A pre war Zale v Graziano would probably not have been competitive imo,the fact that Zale was past his prime made it so.
I can't really blame Zale for going for his money pot pension plan against Rocky but the fact remains that in1946 ,after 6 warm up fights to shake the rust off.Zale didnt take on his number 1 challenger ,Holman Williams, his number 2,Charley Burley,or even his number 3 Jake Lamotta.He defended against number 4 Graziano. The war years meant that deserving challengers such as Moore no1 in42,Burley.Williams,Basora,Booker,Chase.Welch,Bel loise,Tunero .never got title shots.Of course those same years robbed Zale of his prime and his income,so its swings and roundabouts really.
I'd pick Tiger to beat Zale and Lamotta too,but if he fought each 10 times he is dropping some decisions ,imo.

All true - but starting in November 1944 through March 1946 Graziano packed MSG 9 times.

One has to forgive Zale for taking that fight (as you have) New York was calling Rocky the uncrowned champion and the fight was headed for Yankee Stadium and a very big gate. None of the above three mentioned - Williams, Burley, or even LaMotta could bring in the gate Graziano could. Zale wasn't even popular in New York.

What became unfair to those higher ranked fighters was that it turned into a trilogy eating up three years. Holman was the first to recognize it was hopeless and moved to LHW. Burley was finished and retired, and only LaMotta stayed available but still had to wait behind the Frenchman.

[Ivich]

All true - but starting in November 1944 through March 1946 Graziano packed MSG 9 times.

One has to forgive Zale for taking that fight (as you have) New York was calling Rocky the uncrowned champion and the fight was headed for Yankee Stadium and a very big gate. None of the above three mentioned - Williams, Burley, or even LaMotta could bring in the gate Graziano could. Zale wasn't even popular in New York.

What became unfair to those higher ranked fighters was that it turned into a trilogy eating up three years. Holman was the first to recognize it was hopeless and moved to LHW. Burley was finished and retired, and only LaMotta stayed available but still had to wait behind the Frenchman.

Id pick
Burley
Lamotta
Williams
And several other guys who were ranked then to beat Graziano.

[Willie Pep 229]

Id pick
Beurley
Lamotta
Williams
And several other guys who were ranked then to beat Graziano.

Yea sure, probably so, but none of them were going to warrant a fight outdoors in a ballpark.

All of the above plus Zale couldn't come close to drawing like Graziano could. It is after all 'prize fighting' you put asses in the seats you get the big fights. Money trumps fairness.

[QueensburyRules]

Zale's trilogy with Graziano probably plays a huge part in enhancing his status .
A pre war Zale v Graziano would probably not have been competitive imo,the fact that Zale was past his prime made it so.
I can't really blame Zale for going for his money pot pension plan against Rocky but the fact remains that in1946 ,after 6 warm up fights to shake the rust off.Zale didnt take on his number 1 challenger ,Holman Williams, his number 2,Charley Burley,or even his number 3 Jake Lamotta.He defended against number 4 Graziano. The war years meant that deserving challengers such as Moore no1 in42,Burley.Williams,Basora,Booker,Chase.Welch,Bel loise,Tunero .never got title shots.Of course those same years robbed Zale of his prime and his income,so its swings and roundabouts really.
I'd pick Tiger to beat Zale and Lamotta too,but if he fought each 10 times he is dropping some decisions ,imo.

- - What's up wif this?

U minder make up that summation? If so, a purt fair summation of the complications of that era, so keep him on the payroll and keep him working!

[IronDanHamza]

Because you have never heard of these lists means they aren't valid?
You've heard of The Ring right? In the May 1994 issue they ranked the all time fighters in each division Zale came in7th at middleweight, Tiger didn't make the cut.
Whats ridiculous here is your blatant agenda!

I just told you why it's unvalid; because it has Tommy Hearns at #6.

[Ivich]

I just told you why it's unvalid; because it has Tommy Hearns at #6.

Its actually invalid.