Who was the greates import to come and fight on our shores?

[dberry]

And I don't mean Kostya Tzyu, Phillip Holiday et al. Any body who has taken up residence is disqualified. In a recent thread an argument ensued about whether Roy Jones Junior was the greatest foreigner to fight in Australia. I don't want any arguments started as the 'greatest' is based on so many subjective variables that it is, well, just that, subjective. One more thing they don't have to have been at their peak when they fought here.

I like Archie Moore and Jack Johnson, but I'm going with one of my all time favourites, a four time world champion in three weight division and an very exciting fighter, Iran Barkley. He stopped Thomas Hearns then, a few fights later, showed it was no fluke and beat him on points, absolutely destroyed Darrin Van Horne, had a split points loss to Roberto Duran and a close loss to Micheal Nunn. Bang for buck, for mine, he was the man.

[Sweet P]

Sam Langford, Archie Moore or Jack Johnson

If i had to seperate them id say Langford as he fought at multiple weights.

[razor7]

way before my time but my 87 year old dad says Freddie Dawson was the best import ever to fight here

[keyboard warrior]

And I don't mean Kostya Tzyu, Phillip Holiday et al. Any body who has taken up residence is disqualified. In a recent thread an argument ensued about whether Roy Jones Junior was the greatest foreigner to fight in Australia. I don't want any arguments started as the 'greatest' is based on so many subjective variables that it is, well, just that, subjective. One more thing they don't have to have been at their peak when they fought here.

I like Archie Moore and Jack Johnson, but I'm going with one of my all time favourites, a four time world champion in three weight division and an very exciting fighter, Iran Barkley. He stopped Thomas Hearns then, a few fights later, showed it was no fluke and beat him on points, absolutely destroyed Darrin Van Horne, had a split points loss to Roberto Duran and a close loss to Micheal Nunn. Bang for buck, for mine, he was the man.

Barkley was a true warrior. I think he was unlucky to be campaigning in a really tough era for a middleweight. If he was around today I think he would absolutely clean out the current middle-weight divison, unifying the major titles. I think he would win titles at super-middle too, possibly cop a loss or two from guys like Bute though. Bika-Barkley would be avery exciting fight.

Dunno if I'd have him as the best that's visited our shores though.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

I have never seen him fight but the Aussie old timer's always rave on about Freddie Dawson! He looks good on paper but I have never seen him fight.

What about Maxie Rosembloom who notched up over 200 wins or Carl 'Bobo' Olson - have to say though Langford and Moore in that order are the greatest fighters ever to fight in an Australian ring but seeing as they both lived there for a number of years - probably - Emile Griffith.

Barkley was a warrior and as hard as nails but I don't think he would have been a 'great' in any era.

[dberry]

Great is a very subjective thing, a champion isn't necessarily the best fighter/boxer.

There has already been some great submissions.

[Marlin]

Roy Jones Jr. Eight time Champion from middleweight to heavyweight. Went a decade barely losing a round.

Give it time and Roy Jones Jr will eventual receive his place as one of the pound for pound all time greats. In this day and age it seems you must be retired for a decade or two before you can be classed as being any good. Yes Jones lost a few times at the end of his career, so did Ali, so did Moore even Sugar Ray Robinson wasn't undefeated! Roy Jones Jr will eventually be remembered for his greatness.

[The Raw Prawn]

Roy Jones Jr. Eight time Champion from middleweight to heavyweight. Went a decade barely losing a round.

Give it time and Roy Jones Jr will eventual receive his place as one of the pound for pound all time greats. In this day and age it seems you must be retired for a decade or two before you can be classed as being any good. Yes Jones lost a few times at the end of his career, so did Ali, so did Moore even Sugar Ray Robinson wasn't undefeated! Roy Jones Jr will eventually be remembered for his greatness.

spot on Marlin . With Jose Torres a close second.

[Brute]

Jack Johnson beat Tommy Burns in Sydney in 1908 for the World Heavyweight Championship. That is a bit hard to top.

Joe Frazier fought Jimmy Ellis in Melbourne after losing his World title. It was in St Kilda in 1975, a few months before the "Thrilla in Manilla." Joe was still a force to be reckoned with.

[Brute]

Jack Johnson beat Tommy Burns in Sydney in 1908 for the World Heavyweight Championship. That is a bit hard to top.

Joe Frazier fought Jimmy Ellis in Melbourne after losing his World title. It was in St Kilda in 1975, a few months before the "Thrilla in Manilla." Joe was still a force to be reckoned with.

Barkley was overweight to hell when he fought Petrides. He was 27 pounds heavier than in his previous fight where Maske stopped him in 9 rounds in defence of his IBF Light Heavyweight title.

Barkley in his declining years was sad to watch. I saw him fight Coetzee and wondered which of them would fall down first.

[Hounddawg]

Jack Johnson is hard to top, but beating a 5'7 fighter in Tommy Burns is easy to top. Historically non bigger,but the problem i have is that Era will always be Questionable.

RJJ is my pick.

Joe Frazier is definitely worth mentioning, Archie Moore as well.

[Hounddawg]

Roy Jones Jr. Eight time Champion from middleweight to heavyweight. Went a decade barely losing a round.

Give it time and Roy Jones Jr will eventual receive his place as one of the pound for pound all time greats. In this day and age it seems you must be retired for a decade or two before you can be classed as being any good. Yes Jones lost a few times at the end of his career, so did Ali, so did Moore even Sugar Ray Robinson wasn't undefeated! Roy Jones Jr will eventually be remembered for his greatness.

I agree

[Brute]

Jack Johnson is hard to top, but beating a 5'7 fighter in Tommy Burns is easy to top. Historically non bigger,but the problem i have is that Era will always be Questionable.

RJJ is my pick.

Joe Frazier is definitely worth mentioning, Archie Moore as well.

Burns was the champion. Johnson had to beat him. After that he destroyed Jeffries. What went on before that was not Johnson's fault.

[Grant]

Jack Johnson is hard to top, but beating a 5'7 fighter in Tommy Burns is easy to top. Historically non bigger,but the problem i have is that Era will always be Questionable.

RJJ is my pick.

Joe Frazier is definitely worth mentioning, Archie Moore as well.

Burns was the champion. Johnson had to beat him. After that he destroyed Jeffries. What went on before that was not Johnson's fault.

Harada was up there with them........

I was at the "showdown in StKilda" with Frazier and Ellis. Talk about pissing your money away.

[Sweet P]

Yeh Harada is right up there, Also Azumah Nelson should be considered.

What about Fitzsimmons and Peter Jackson they were also World Class fighters in there time. Especially Fitzsimmons who was a 2 weight Champion.

[Tinnie]

Some great names are being brought up here, the best have already been mentioned but i'll throw out a couple more...

Young Stribling
Fidel LaBarba
Carlos Zarate
Jesse James Leija

[Brute]

Yeh Harada is right up there, Also Azumah Nelson should be considered.

What about Fitzsimmons and Peter Jackson they were also World Class fighters in there time. Especially Fitzsimmons who was a 2 weight Champion.

Fitzsimmons and Jackson were Australian residents. The thread is for fighters who came here, fought and went home.

Gus Lesnevich came out here in the late 30s. He lost to Ron Richards but beat Ambrose Palmer. Lesnevich later became World Light Heavyweight Champion. Max Rosenbloom also became Light Heavyweight Champion after coming to Australia.

Archie Moore also came here in that era, beating Fred Henneberry once and Richards twice.

[Hurricane Hank]

Former undisputed Welterweight and Middleweight Champion Emile Griffith fought Ralph Dupas in Australia.

[AntonS]

[AntonS]

How could I forget Rocky Berg aka Rocky/Danny Vires who fought Lester Ellis in '93 for WBF title.
I was present @ the fight in Adelaide & whoever it was it wasn't Berg.

[Tinnie]

lol, that whole debacle was quite amusing

[Liver Crusher]

Azumah Nelson! 8)

[dberry]

Former undisputed Welterweight and Middleweight Champion Emile Griffith fought Ralph Dupas in Australia.

Good one, I had no idea Emile Griffith fought here. Great submission with Jesse James Leija, Too, Tinnie, and Brute can always be counted on for some obscure and forgotten, but none the less great, additions.

[dberry]

[toppity]

I just don't get it. Perhaps Marlin is correct.