US Olympic Gold --- The Classes Of '76 & '84

[Goodnight, Irene]

Who was the greatest graduate of these two teams, who stand above all others, & which would you rank higher, overall, between the two medal-hoarding outfits?

[Goodnight, Irene]

I went with Leonard & the team of 1984, by an absolute whisker over Whitaker & Team '84.

[Grimm]

I'm not sure of the question.

Are you asking which fighter is greater overall or which was greater in the amateurs?

[Ambling Alp]

If you mean how well they did in the Olympics and not considering their pro careers:

Close, but I think the 1976 team was better. The 1984 won more gold medals, but their competition wasn't as good because of boycotts.

Michael Spinks was not the number 1 or number 2 fighter of the 1976 Olympics. Many people regarded Leon as better, and Howard Davis was certainly considered better. Leo Randolph won a gold as well.

Mark Breland was probably as good as Taylor,Whitaker, and Holyfield.

Howard Davis and Mark Breland were the biggest names going into the Olympics.

[Goodnight, Irene]

Sorry, fellas --- I should have specifically noted, this is a retrospective grading, considerate of all four mens' pro careers --- that's why I've listed them without the likes of men who eventually proved to be lesser lights. Your Breland's, Davis', & company.

This, to clarify, is what I'm asking...

1. Who's the greatest fighter, post-pro career, to emerge (I imagined these four would be the only true candidates)?

2. Which team was better, all fighters included, at the conclusion of the Olympics?

To the first question, I say Leonard. To the second, I say Team '84. Therefore, my Poll choice would be, "Ray Leonard & 1984."

[Ezzard]

Irene...

Please, make your polls with just one question with a variety of simple answers...

That one where you had to vote for a list of 3 punchers....? And now this one where we vote for a fighter and a team???



Please, I beg you...

[Grimm]

Irene...

Please, make your polls with just one question with a variety of simple answers...

That one where you had to vote for a list of 3 punchers....? And now this one where we vote for a fighter and a team???



Please, I beg you...

[Goodnight, Irene]

Irene...

Please, make your polls with just one question with a variety of simple answers...

That one where you had to vote for a list of 3 punchers....? And now this one where we vote for a fighter and a team???



Please, I beg you...

Hey, you think you have it hard? In both threads, I had to concentrate, damn it, to make sure I got every possible combination available. Was tough, I tells ya!

[Ambling Alp]

The 1976 team had the two fighters with the best pro careers, but overall the 1984 team was more successful in the pros.

After, Michael Spinks and Leonard, there was a drop off. Leo Randolph, Leon Spinks and John Tate did manage to win title belts. Howard Davis was a serious contender who with a little luck could have won a belt.
After that Clinton Jackson and David Lee Armstrong had ok careers. After that, no one from the 1976 did anything.

The 1984 team Whitaker and Holyfield who had great careers. Taylor, Breland, Tate, and Hill managed to win belts.
Steve McCrory and Paul Gonzales were contenders. Jerry Page, Henry Tillman and Robert Shannon had ok careers.

It's worth noting that there were more "titles" to win when the 1984 teams were fighting in the pros, so it was a little easier to win a title for them. Still, the edge seems to go the 1984 team; especially when you consider that a few guys on the 1976 team did literally nothing in the pros and everyone on the 1984 team was atleast a fringe contender.

Interesting subject.