Do you count punching power as a criteria for greatness?

[GhostofDempsey]

I often see certain fighters legacy take a hit because of their lack of punching power or low knockout ratio. Some lacked the big punching power, others were plagued with brittle hands that injured easily. Do you fighters such as Loughran, Rosenbloom, Maxim, Locche, Malignaggi, Bradley get knocked down a few points on the greatness scale for lack of a big punch?

[Willie Pep 229]

Yes of course they do.

Back to my same old same old argument . . .

You've got to entertain or people won't watch.

We had one of the greatest ATGs ever in Mayweather Jr. yet the fight game lost ground instead of becoming more popular. Why was that? Because Money for the casual fan was boring to watch.

No ****, no **** for your buck -- celebrities walked out on the boy because he wouldn't fight just box.

The NBA secretly/quietly added a half step to the traveling rule just so slam-dunks would be more excitng.

You got to entertain to be great. I didn't make the rule but it's always been a rule. Boxers don't get an exception.

[GhostofDempsey]

Yes of course they do.

Back to my same old same old argument . . .

You've got to entertain or people won't watch.

We had one of the greatest ATGs ever in Mayweather Jr. yet the fight game lost ground instead of becoming more popular. Why was that? Because Money for the casual fan was boring to watch.

No ****, no **** for your buck -- celebrities walked out on the boy because he wouldn't fight just box.

The NBA secretly/quietly added a half step to the traveling rule just so slam-dunks would be more excitng.

You got to entertain to be great. I didn't make the rule but it's always been a rule. Boxers don't get an exception.

I think there is a distinction between a defensive fighter who refuses to engage (Floyd) and one who has very little power but still mixes it up (Bradley). Bradley was rarely if ever in a boring fight, he just didn't have the big punching power of his rivals. Paulie wasn't a big puncher but he wasn't afraid to get on the inside and box. Even LaMotta wasn't known as a big puncher (considerably lower KO ratio than Floyd) yet was very popular with the fans. Then we have to consider the quality of the knockouts...were they knocking out other great fighters or mismatched journeymen?

[travestyny]

Yes of course they do.

Back to my same old same old argument . . .

You've got to entertain or people won't watch.

We had one of the greatest ATGs ever in Mayweather Jr. yet the fight game lost ground instead of becoming more popular. Why was that? Because Money for the casual fan was boring to watch.

No ****, no **** for your buck -- celebrities walked out on the boy because he wouldn't fight just box.

The NBA secretly/quietly added a half step to the traveling rule just so slam-dunks would be more excitng.

You got to entertain to be great. I didn't make the rule but it's always been a rule. Boxers don't get an exception.

I don't know if the fighter who made the most money in the sport is a great example to use here. Someone must have been watching. Actually, a lot of people.

Maybe Rigondeaux? But actually he did have excellent power now that I remember.

[Slugfester]

I think it affects the gate more than the legacy. Fighters like Pep and Loughran still retain a high ranking in knowledgeable circles. But the big punch is probably more memorable and exciting than anything in boxing. It might extend the legacy a little longer in time, when a man is a legendary puncher. I mean, Jimmy Wilde must be the most well remembered fighter of his weight ever. Even a master boxer with a light punch can be popular, if he punches enough along with his defensive displays. That is why Pep is legendary and Locce is not. Both were peerless pure boxers, but of the two, only Pep punched enough.

[Ivich]

I often see certain fighters legacy take a hit because of their lack of punching power or low knockout ratio. Some lacked the big punching power, others were plagued with brittle hands that injured easily. Do you fighters such as Loughran, Rosenbloom, Maxim, Locche, Malignaggi, Bradley get knocked down a few points on the greatness scale for lack of a big punch?

That would depend on whom they knocked out with it.Curtess Shepard and Bob Satterfield were two of the most devastating punchers of their eras,but neither would be called great fighters. I like Malignaggi,I saw him fight on the de La Cuz v Frampton bill,but even with a punch he would not be a great fighter.RESUME!

[GhostofDempsey]

That would depend on whom they knocked out with it.Curtess Shepard and Bob Satterfield were two of the most devastating punchers of their eras,but neither would be called great fighters. I like Malignaggi,I saw him fight on the de La Cuz v Frampton bill,but even with a punch he would not be a great fighter.RESUME!

Satterfield was plagued with a glass jaw, otherwise he likely goes down as an ATG.

[billeau2]

I often see certain fighters legacy take a hit because of their lack of punching power or low knockout ratio. Some lacked the big punching power, others were plagued with brittle hands that injured easily. Do you fighters such as Loughran, Rosenbloom, Maxim, Locche, Malignaggi, Bradley get knocked down a few points on the greatness scale for lack of a big punch?

I wouldn't... Can they win? quality of wins? Quality of opponents they won against? If punching power was inversely proportional to greatness, and KO's were somehow a measure of that... Archie Moore would be the greatest ever! kidding.

[Ivich]

Satterfield was plagued with a glass jaw, otherwise he likely goes down as an ATG.

I'm not sure that is so.Satterfield was a dedicated partyer. and seldom in top shape.He also swung for the fences leaving himself wide open at times

[Willie Pep 229]

I don't know if the fighter who made the most money in the sport is a great example to use here. Someone must have been watching. Actually, a lot of people.

Maybe Rigondeaux? But actually he did have excellent power now that I remember.

I see your point.

But his biggest paydays, the record setters, involved, Canleo, Pacquiao, Hatton, Juda. McGregor, Del La Hoya, Gatti.

All known as fighters who would press the action.

While each brought with them enough of their own fans to set (together) record breaking $ numbers.

But did they buy for him or them?

On the other hand every great fighter needs his 'Joe Fraziers.' It always takes two to make the big bucks.