BoxRec

I want to see your list of the best fighters of the 1880s decade pound per pound

Very difficult decade to rate but I thought I would give it a shot.

1880's Top 10
1. John L. Sullivan
2. "The Nonpareil" Jack Dempsey
3. Jack McCulliffe
4. "Professor" Mike Donovan
5. Charley Mitchell
6. Paddy Duffy
7. George LaBlanche
8. Harry Gilmore
9. Frank Slavin
10. Jake Kilrain

With some ratings trickery, I generated the following list...

1 Frank Slavin
2 Dick Matthews
3 Peter Jackson
4 Harry Laing
5 Billy Smith
6 Jack Hall
7 Billy McCarthy
8 Jack Burke
9 Dave Campbell
10 BB Baird


Surprised not to see Mitchell and Sullivan.. but this is a very early period.

I am surprised nobod mentioned Jem Mace, though by that time his career mostly consisted of exhibitions, but he was one of the premeire athletes in the sport and even fought against John L. Sullivan's rival Charlie Mitchell for the British title in his 60's.

Peter Jackson around this time would have been at his peak or near it, as would (old) George Godfrey, two of the best black fighters during the bare knuckle era. Surprised no one mentioned them either, especially Jackson.

HomicideHenry wrote: Peter Jackson around this time would have been at his peak or near it, as would (old) George Godfrey, two of the best black fighters during the bare knuckle era. Surprised no one mentioned them either, especially Jackson.

Look at my list again.

In case anyone asked, here's what the ratings say for the beginning of boxing history, up until 1880

Pre-1880

1 Joe Goss
2 Larry Foley
3 Charley Gallagher
4 Tom Allen
5 Bill Ryall
6 Posh Price
7 Peter Newton
8 Mike McCoole
9 Arthur Chambers
10 Bob Smith

ahh, my bad, but wh do you have Jackson at #2

HomicideHenry wrote:ahh, my bad, but wh do you have Jackson at #2

Looks to me like he won a few fights in the 1880s and fought more than just exhibitions.

1. John L Sullivan
2. Jack Dempsey (NP)
3. Professor Mike Donovan
4. Charley Mitchell
5.Jack Burke
6. Frank Slavin
7. George LeBlanche
8. Jake Kilraine
9. Bob Fitzsimmons (based on the little he did in the decade)
10. Pat Killen

JCS wrote:In case anyone asked, here's what the ratings say for the beginning of boxing history, up until 1880

Pre-1880

1 Joe Goss
2 Larry Foley
3 Charley Gallagher
4 Tom Allen
5 Bill Ryall
6 Posh Price
7 Peter Newton
8 Mike McCoole
9 Arthur Chambers
10 Bob Smith

Cribb, Belcher, Sayers etc would have annhilated this lot