BoxRec

Obviously his record is very impressive, and I've recently watched what's available of him on Youtube. I find his style very intriguing. I'd say the guy gets largely overlooked, especially in comparison to the other Middles of his era, such as Cerdan and Zale. It's quite possible he was better than either. I like watching him more, that's for sure. Such a shifty, clever looking fighter. Anybody well versed on him that could give me some more info?

The big stain on Thil's record is how he always looked to the refs for help in his biggest fights and even lied about perceived fouls to get the referee's call for DQ's like in his two title fights with Lou Brouillard. That said, he was a good inside fighter who fought a rough and tough style and almost mauled his way to wins. I wish he had come to America earlier in his career and unified the middleweight title, as it stayed fragmented throughout the 30s.

That "stain" on his record was more bullshit by the American press who didnt like that a foreigner had a significant claim to one of boxing's glamour divisions. In reality those fighters, like Broulliard, who claimed Thil was seeking the referee's help to win fights were actually trying to foul out or win any way they could in the face a rugged infighter that was beating the hell out of them. Thil has my vote for France's greatest fighter.

I agree, he is underrated. He had an impressive career. As alluded to, his style was not the the prettiest; still you can tell he was very good. Being from France has probably hurt his rating as well.