Pick a city (any country) and name its 3 best fighters all time

[aristotlemoses]

Frazier has a gym in Philly but he's not from there.

You can't leave out Meldrick Taylor from Philly. He was great.

Yea but are we splitting hairs here.
I mean if people think of Frazier they thinkg he is a philly fighter. It's to hard to make an unbiased philly list though.

[aristotlemoses]

I mean philly has
harris, hopkins, briscoe, frazier(depending on how you call it), jack o brien, taylor, giardello, blackburn, montgomery, chandler, bass, benton, list could go on for awhile.

[1SILVA]

pick a city and name its all time 3 best fighters. I suspect this thread may cause some debate when it gets to certain cities like brooklyn, l.a., detroit, and others.

I'll start with pittsburgh.

1. Harry greb
2. Billy conn
3. Charley burley

no doubt in my mind greb is the greatest fighter this city ever produced, but i am really up in the air about conn and burley. I rate both very high all time and give a slight edge to conn based on my opinion he would win a close head to head fight at their respective best.

Feel free to debate this and name some cities and fighters of your own.

bolivar, columbia
antonio cervantes
prudencio cardona
harold grey

[1SILVA]

Pick a city and name its all time 3 best fighters. I suspect this thread may cause some debate when it gets to certain cities like Brooklyn, L.A., Detroit, and others.

I'll start with Pittsburgh.

1. Harry Greb
2. Billy Conn
3. Charley Burley

No doubt in my mind Greb is the greatest fighter this city ever produced, but I am really up in the air about Conn and Burley. I rate both very high all time and give a slight edge to Conn based on my opinion he would win a close head to head fight at their respective best.

Feel free to debate this and name some cities and fighters of your own.

Washington, DC
Mark Johnson
Simon Brown
Sharmba Mitchell

Johannesburg, SA
Brian Mitchell
Moruti Mthalane
Piet Crous

[mickey malone]

Johannesburg, SA
Brian Mitchell
Moruti Mthalane
Piet Crous

Or

Brian Mitchell
Jacob Matlala
Arnold Taylor

[1SILVA]

Johannesburg, SA
Brian Mitchell
Moruti Mthalane
Piet Crous

Or

Brian Mitchell
Jacob Matlala
Arnold Taylor

Like your second list. Is Brian Mitchell the greatest South African fighter of all time? For awhile there, it look like Botile would surpass him, but after losing to Austin, his skills began to decline.

[1SILVA]

Pick a city and name its all time 3 best fighters. I suspect this thread may cause some debate when it gets to certain cities like Brooklyn, L.A., Detroit, and others.

I'll start with Pittsburgh.

1. Harry Greb
2. Billy Conn
3. Charley Burley

No doubt in my mind Greb is the greatest fighter this city ever produced, but I am really up in the air about Conn and Burley. I rate both very high all time and give a slight edge to Conn based on my opinion he would win a close head to head fight at their respective best.

Feel free to debate this and name some cities and fighters of your own.

Pensacola
Roy Jones
Arthur Williams
Derrick gainer

[mickey malone]

Like your second list. Is Brian Mitchell the greatest South African fighter of all time? For awhile there, it look like Botile would surpass him, but after losing to Austin, his skills began to decline.

Can't say enough good about Mitchell, and i'm glad his name's come up, cos it gives me a chance to sing his praises a bit..
He's an un-sung ATG imo, and just ahead of Vic Towell, as the best from SA..
Much like Taylor, he's hardly ever mentioned in boxing debates, but not only was he a lot better than Taylor, he was also a two time, undefeated world champion in two weight classes (WBA FW & IBF SFW).. I believe he had well over 40 fights including 14 title defenses.. He had 2 draws and 1 pts defeat in his early career that were all quickly avenged..
Mitchell was primarily a defensive stylist who could fire quick combinations and attack when needed; much in the mould of the great Duilio Loi, another underrated ATG..
Coincidently, Mitchell's reign as WBA champ more or less ran concurrently with that of Azumah Nelson's did as the WBC titlist. But mainly because of Aparthied, the pair never got it on.

See you mentioned Botile..
Sorry, but i have to disagree on the threat of him surpassing Mitchell as the GOATSA.. Botile was a novice in comparison to the polished skills of Mitchell.. He came back after getting stopped by Austin to dethrone IBF champ, Paul Ingle (TKO11) another untalked about fight that ended in tragic consequences (Ingle suffered permanent brain damage)

I'll post an interesting write-up on Mitchell in the next post..

[mickey malone]

Few world champions retire while still holding their titles, most need to be pushed from their thrones. There’s the lure of that next big payday, the unwillingness to relinquish the glory and the spotlight associated with being the champion, as well as peer and promotional pressures. “Just one more” they say, “one more and then I’ll stop,” but that’s easier said than done. The fact that Brian Mitchell, former WBA and IBF junior lightweight world champion, was able to walk away while at the top of his game speaks measures of what made him great.

With 12 successful defenses of the WBA crown and then winning the IBF title against another legendary fighter in Tony Lopez, Mitchell could easily have hung on for just one more, but he knew that it was time to stop and it was the fact that he knew himself and his body so well that made him such a successful champion in the first place.

Honored at a gala dinner at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park on Tuesday night as South Africa’s fighter of the century, Brian Mitchell was perhaps a little overwhelmed by the thousand people in attendance, who had paid in the region of 70 US dollars each to attend the function. “The fact that 16 years after his retirement Mitchell still receives this sort of support is a tribute in itself to what he meant for boxing in this country.” said Rodney Berman, who promoted Mitchell for most of his career.

Mitchell did make a comeback three years after his retirement, won two more fights and then called it quits for good. “When I was fighting I always said that when I retire it’ll be for good,” said Mitchell. “I didn’t want to end up one of those boxers who keeps coming back and everybody wishes he’ll stay retired. I was lured back, however, and part of me wanted it all back, it’s hard to let it go. Even though I won my fights, I could feel that it was over. It was harder to train, to motivate myself and when I climbed into the ring I saw my timing wasn’t quite what it was and I knew I wasn’t as good as I was before. It wasn’t easy but another big payday wasn’t worth destroying a legacy I had worked so hard to achieve.”

It was tough for Mitchell to walk away and he missed the spotlight tremendously and understandably so. But he had the strength of his conviction and this time did not return to the ring. I first met Brian in person in 1990, while shooting a television interview with him in his home in the suburb of Bedfordview, shortly after his first fight against Jackie Beard in which he was cut up pretty badly. He was a world champion at the height of his career and was an outspoken Christian and a very confident champion.

Over the last 16 years I’ve seen the various faces and phases of his life. Seen his internal struggles, his professional highs and lows, and while many purely sing lyrical to his achievements, one should also remember he is human and in honesty he has never really tried to hide that fact. He had great success early in his life, established himself as a living legend and then had to come down to being a mortal amongst men.

What stood out for me on what was a most enjoyable evening was not the fact that the person being honored truly deserved it – which he most certainly did – but hopefully similar recognition at the International Boxing Hall of Fame is not too far away. What stood out for me was that there were flashes of the old Brian Mitchell visible in this older version. That contagious excitement and confidence I had seen in him all those years before, which had been missing since he hung up his gloves, was back. The contentment and being comfortable in who he was could be seen again.

Mitchell, by his own acknowledgement, was not the most naturally talented boxer. He never had an outstanding punch and his style looked deceivingly beatable. However, in 14 world title fights he never lost. What he had was an incredible conviction to win and a discipline to always be at his best physically and mentally when entering a ring. He honed the skills he had and pushed himself beyond any perceived limitations and always gave of his best. He was a role model in this regard. It’s not merely about what gifts you are given, but it’s all about how you use what you do have. His fights were always busy and entertaining affairs and it’s difficult to imagine anybody ever beating him.

The fact that Mitchell gave himself wholeheartedly to his fistic career did come with a heavy price. When he hung up his gloves there was a void and I believe a feeling that perhaps he would no longer be acknowledged or remembered for what he had done. He was the nation’s lone flag bearer, the man who singlehandedly kept boxing alive in the late 1980’s. He was a patriotic symbol which inspired boxers of all races and was respected as a champion because he had beaten all local opposition before embarking on his world tour of defenses.

Perhaps now that he has received this tribute Mitchell will sleep easier knowing that his legacy will not be swept under a rug and forgotten. People still remember and love the memories Brian Mitchell gave them and, yes, we could certainly do with another like him. “Thank you to all of you for supporting me throughout my career and tonight,” said Mitchell. “I was never allowed the privilege of defending my title in front of my home crowd, in front of you. That’s the biggest regret of my career. Climbing in the ring tonight it felt as though I was about to do just that. It’s moments like this that make me feel like making a comeback.”

A former sponsor of Mitchell shared the following anecdote. "We were at a function being attended by then state president F.W. De Klerk. I asked Mitchell if we could walk over to him and if he would introduce me to the president. He replied, 'Don’t worry, he'll be over in a minute and say hello to us.'"

South Africa has produced many fine fighters in its proud boxing history, many who will never receive the global acknowledgement for their skills and abilities, many who never got the opportunity to show their wares on the world stage, but irrespective of what might-have-been, Brian Mitchell did step up when given the opportunity to do so and grabbed it with both hands and never let go.

He was a world champion in every respect of the word and while stones can always be thrown, nobody can ever take that away from him. He is an undefeated world champion and by all accounts one of the world’s all-time greats in the division.

While a youngster he was nicknamed “Champ” by former bantamweight world champion Arnold Taylor. That moniker stuck in his mind and manifested itself in his reality. Determination combined with a dream, took Mitchell to greatness.

[1SILVA]

Few world champions retire while still holding their titles, most need to be pushed from their thrones. There’s the lure of that next big payday, the unwillingness to relinquish the glory and the spotlight associated with being the champion, as well as peer and promotional pressures. “Just one more” they say, “one more and then I’ll stop,” but that’s easier said than done. The fact that Brian Mitchell, former WBA and IBF junior lightweight world champion, was able to walk away while at the top of his game speaks measures of what made him great.

With 12 successful defenses of the WBA crown and then winning the IBF title against another legendary fighter in Tony Lopez, Mitchell could easily have hung on for just one more, but he knew that it was time to stop and it was the fact that he knew himself and his body so well that made him such a successful champion in the first place.

Honored at a gala dinner at the Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park on Tuesday night as South Africa’s fighter of the century, Brian Mitchell was perhaps a little overwhelmed by the thousand people in attendance, who had paid in the region of 70 US dollars each to attend the function. “The fact that 16 years after his retirement Mitchell still receives this sort of support is a tribute in itself to what he meant for boxing in this country.” said Rodney Berman, who promoted Mitchell for most of his career.

Mitchell did make a comeback three years after his retirement, won two more fights and then called it quits for good. “When I was fighting I always said that when I retire it’ll be for good,” said Mitchell. “I didn’t want to end up one of those boxers who keeps coming back and everybody wishes he’ll stay retired. I was lured back, however, and part of me wanted it all back, it’s hard to let it go. Even though I won my fights, I could feel that it was over. It was harder to train, to motivate myself and when I climbed into the ring I saw my timing wasn’t quite what it was and I knew I wasn’t as good as I was before. It wasn’t easy but another big payday wasn’t worth destroying a legacy I had worked so hard to achieve.”

It was tough for Mitchell to walk away and he missed the spotlight tremendously and understandably so. But he had the strength of his conviction and this time did not return to the ring. I first met Brian in person in 1990, while shooting a television interview with him in his home in the suburb of Bedfordview, shortly after his first fight against Jackie Beard in which he was cut up pretty badly. He was a world champion at the height of his career and was an outspoken Christian and a very confident champion.

Over the last 16 years I’ve seen the various faces and phases of his life. Seen his internal struggles, his professional highs and lows, and while many purely sing lyrical to his achievements, one should also remember he is human and in honesty he has never really tried to hide that fact. He had great success early in his life, established himself as a living legend and then had to come down to being a mortal amongst men.

What stood out for me on what was a most enjoyable evening was not the fact that the person being honored truly deserved it – which he most certainly did – but hopefully similar recognition at the International Boxing Hall of Fame is not too far away. What stood out for me was that there were flashes of the old Brian Mitchell visible in this older version. That contagious excitement and confidence I had seen in him all those years before, which had been missing since he hung up his gloves, was back. The contentment and being comfortable in who he was could be seen again.

Mitchell, by his own acknowledgement, was not the most naturally talented boxer. He never had an outstanding punch and his style looked deceivingly beatable. However, in 14 world title fights he never lost. What he had was an incredible conviction to win and a discipline to always be at his best physically and mentally when entering a ring. He honed the skills he had and pushed himself beyond any perceived limitations and always gave of his best. He was a role model in this regard. It’s not merely about what gifts you are given, but it’s all about how you use what you do have. His fights were always busy and entertaining affairs and it’s difficult to imagine anybody ever beating him.

The fact that Mitchell gave himself wholeheartedly to his fistic career did come with a heavy price. When he hung up his gloves there was a void and I believe a feeling that perhaps he would no longer be acknowledged or remembered for what he had done. He was the nation’s lone flag bearer, the man who singlehandedly kept boxing alive in the late 1980’s. He was a patriotic symbol which inspired boxers of all races and was respected as a champion because he had beaten all local opposition before embarking on his world tour of defenses.

Perhaps now that he has received this tribute Mitchell will sleep easier knowing that his legacy will not be swept under a rug and forgotten. People still remember and love the memories Brian Mitchell gave them and, yes, we could certainly do with another like him. “Thank you to all of you for supporting me throughout my career and tonight,” said Mitchell. “I was never allowed the privilege of defending my title in front of my home crowd, in front of you. That’s the biggest regret of my career. Climbing in the ring tonight it felt as though I was about to do just that. It’s moments like this that make me feel like making a comeback.”

A former sponsor of Mitchell shared the following anecdote. "We were at a function being attended by then state president F.W. De Klerk. I asked Mitchell if we could walk over to him and if he would introduce me to the president. He replied, 'Don’t worry, he'll be over in a minute and say hello to us.'"

South Africa has produced many fine fighters in its proud boxing history, many who will never receive the global acknowledgement for their skills and abilities, many who never got the opportunity to show their wares on the world stage, but irrespective of what might-have-been, Brian Mitchell did step up when given the opportunity to do so and grabbed it with both hands and never let go.

He was a world champion in every respect of the word and while stones can always be thrown, nobody can ever take that away from him. He is an undefeated world champion and by all accounts one of the world’s all-time greats in the division.

While a youngster he was nicknamed “Champ” by former bantamweight world champion Arnold Taylor. That moniker stuck in his mind and manifested itself in his reality. Determination combined with a dream, took Mitchell to greatness.

Great piece, malone. I always thought higly of Botile. He had a solid run as 118 pound champion. His loss to Austin was disappointing becuase he broke Tim's jaw and still got ko'd.