Greatest span of 2 Opponent's Careers

[Ambling Alp]

I was just thinking of this. Moore and Ali fought near at the end of Moore's career and near the beginning of Ali's. Moore's career began in 1936 and Ali's ended in 1981. That is span of 45 years.


Can any two other fighters who fought each top that? I would think someobdy must have but who? Can anybody think of anyone who topped that or is at least close?

[SaadOffTheDeck]

That will be tough to beat.

Hearns/Espada was 40 years.

[wsbuf]

If Briggs fights two more years will match it. Forman-Briggs

Holmes-Ali 42 yrs

[flatnoseflynn]

Roberto Duran vs Angel 'Robinson' Garcia. Garcia's debut 1955-07-23 Durans last fight 2001-07-14. Thats 46 years!

[Bobbyptsd]

I suppose it's not the longest, but the first I thought of off the top of my head that hasn't been mentioned.

Foreman-Holyfield 1969-2011 42 years

[SolomonDeedes]

Bob Fitzsimmons - Jack Johnson: 46 years

[orbtastic]

Depends if Joppy stays retired or not. At present it's 43 years with him and Duran.

[Boilermaker]

Jem Mace Debuted in 1849. In 1890, he fought Charlie Mitchell and lost. Charlie Mitchell fought his last fight in 1894 when he was beaten by Jim Corbett. This makes a span of 45 years.

But in 1897, Jem Mace appears to have fought Tommy Ryan. If correct, Tommy Ryan had his last fight in 1907 when he drew with Hugo Kelly. By my calculations that makes a span of 58 years.

[hhascup]

Henry Cooper 1954 Joe Bugner 1999 = 45 years
Brian London 1955 Joe Bugner 1999 = 44 years
Joe Bugner 1967 Bob Mirovic 2011 = 44 years

[hhascup]

Angel 'Robinson' Garcia 1955 Saoul Mamby 2008 = 53 Years !
Andy Mayfield 1948 Levi Forte 1999 = 51 Years

[hhascup]

Jem Mace Debuted in 1849. In 1890, he fought Charlie Mitchell and lost. Charlie Mitchell fought his last fight in 1894 when he was beaten by Jim Corbett. This makes a span of 45 years.

But in 1897, Jem Mace appears to have fought Tommy Ryan. If correct, Tommy Ryan had his last fight in 1907 when he drew with Hugo Kelly. By my calculations that makes a span of 58 years.

I don't think that was that Tommy Ryan as it isn't listed on Ryan's record by Tracy Callis.

[IRLangmaid25]

Tough one when you think about it.
Wilfred Benitez fought Thomas in Hearns in 1982. Benitez made his debut in 1973 and Hearns fought on until 2006. Which is 33 years.
Marvin Hagler fought Roberto Duran in 1983. Hagler made his debut in 1973 and Duran fought on to 2001. Which is 28 years.

[Boilermaker]

Hhascup,

I must confess that i only got it off the Jem Mace page on CBZ, and the link goes through to Ryan but it isnt reciprocated.

I did a bit of a searrch though, it seems that it was the same Tommy Ryan, although i think it unlikely that it was any more than just an exhibition/light spar.

Here is some links to the lead up of the fight.

http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%20D ... ehtml&.pdf

http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%20D ... ehtml&.pdf

And here is the actual fight report.

http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%20D ... ehtml&.pdf

[hofguy]

Walter Edgerton "Kentucky Rosebud", career 1886-1916, & John Henry Johnson, career 1891-1916. Total 55 years.
These two fought 7 times between 1891 & 1916.

[Ezzard]

Wow hofguy, that’s some knowledge you’ve got.

Are you actually a guy in the hof? Because you seem to know a lot about boxing?

[Bobbyptsd]

Walter Edgerton "Kentucky Rosebud", career 1886-1916, & John Henry Johnson, career 1891-1916. Total 55 years.
These two fought 7 times between 1891 & 1916.

Maybe I'm seeing things wrong, but isn't 1886 to 1916 only 30 years?

Actually, now that I think of it, you added the lengths of their two careers. It's supposed to be from the start of one fighter's career, to the end of the other's, the longest span of that.

Still an interesting example though.

[hhascup]

Hhascup,

I must confess that i only got it off the Jem Mace page on CBZ, and the link goes through to Ryan but it isnt reciprocated.

I did a bit of a searrch though, it seems that it was the same Tommy Ryan, although i think it unlikely that it was any more than just an exhibition/light spar.

Here is some links to the lead up of the fight.

http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%20D ... ehtml&.pdf

http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%20D ... ehtml&.pdf

And here is the actual fight report.

http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%20D ... ehtml&.pdf

Great find, Thanks!

It looks like they did meet in the ring But it says that Mace sparred with Tommy Ryan, which make me think that it was an exhibition.

Another statement says: He (Mace) stood in the center of the ring and let out some cuts which would have done some damage if they have landed, which of course was never attended.

[hhascup]

Walter Edgerton "Kentucky Rosebud", career 1886-1916, & John Henry Johnson, career 1891-1916. Total 55 years.
These two fought 7 times between 1891 & 1916.

Bobbyptsd is right !

1886 to 1916 is only 30 years so it can not be them.


Here's a few that are over 50 years a part !

Angel 'Robinson' Garcia 1955 Saoul Mamby 2008 = 53 Years !
Andy Mayfield 1948 Levi Forte 1999 = 51 Years

Also if you want you can count the number of years, Saoul Mamby 1969-2008, which is 39 years, and Angel 'Robinson' Garcia 1955-1978, which is 23 years, for a total of 62 years.

Andy Mayfield 1948-1963, which is 15 years, and Levi Forte 1961-1999, which is 38 years, for a total of 53 years.

[Ambling Alp]

Those were a couple of good finds. Mamby-Garcia may be the winner. 53 years! Wow.

[Boilermaker]

What about George Foreman vs Evander Holyfield. Currently 43 years, but the way Evander is going, he could still have another 10 or so years left in him, it seems. Sorry, just realised it has already been posted. Better substitute Briggs in there, he could hang around a while also.