Ambling Alp wrote:I agree with much of Brockton's and Pundits rankings and disagree with other parts of it. I like the fact that that there was "thinking outsidethe box" and some guys that routinely get passed over did get mentioned.
Some of their ratings aren't so surprising since Pundit likes the 1930's and Brockton likes the 1940's and 1950's.
What does suprise me the most is McVey, Ellis and Weaver. I don't understand why you both have McVey out of the top 30. And I can't understand why you both have Weaver is rated. Ellis should be in the top 50. He was better than Weaver.
Pundit, you have Carnera #49? Even I don't rate Carnera in the top 50.
Points well taken. Mc Vea has to be clearly below Jeanette who has to be clearly below Langford and Wills, this is how I ended up with a mid 30s rating. But plus minus 5 is within the margin of error.
Primo is underrated, partly because he looked so clumsy; but he had a fine sharp jab that, combined with a huge reach and weight advantage over most opponents and a big heart got him somewhere. Primo beat not only Jack Sharkey but also top contenders like Paolino Uzcudun, Earnie Schaaf, King Levinsky, Art Lasky, Tommy Loughran, Jim Maloney; and by no means were all these fights fixed. He also won the majority of rounds against Max Baer before being knocked out. If he's not top 50 he is not far from it. Valuev today is not unlike Primo then, but Primo had better skills.
As for Ellis and Weaver I need to think a bit, but as I wrote from #30 onward or so I find this a fishy business. There you're not comparing champs across time any more -- which is hard enough -- but contenders; guys who where close to the top but never quite made it. Weaver was considered Larry Holmes main opponent in the early 1980s, then faded. You're probably right that I have him a tad too high. Ellis had a good run in the late 1960s but was whipped by Frazier and Ali. You're right here too, he probably should be top 50.
I'll revise my ranking when I've more things that I want to change.
Cheers,
P
