5’5 and fought from 125lbs to 160lbs WITHOUT any junior classes in b/w. Won titles at 3 of those classes and fought to a draw at middleweight. Henry Armstrong is the 🐐
Henry Armstrong began his career losing 4 of his first 5 fights, he was only KO'd or TKO's 2 times out of 181 fights in which he won 151! WOW, what a career!
Ray Leonard held the Welterweight & Light Middleweight World Titles at the same time & used the Light Middleweight title fight against an undefeated Champion as a warm up to face the undefeated Tommy Hearns ! A much more professional era, better athletes, higher stakes, global audiences. Armstrongs accomplishments in a less professional era dont outshine Leonards gold medal & then beating undefeated Benetiz. Leonard is possibly the most under rated all time great, of all time.
@@SPIDERM0OSE Leonard got a lot more gifts, and was very inactive. I'm not sure what you mean by a more professional era. Steaks were higher in Armstrong era, if you did no good you're dead out of luck great depression breed hungrier fighters. Boxing was bigger on the global scale when Armstrong fought, it had a slow decline which continued in the Leonard era. Leonard fought in an era where boxers fought less and got payed more [thanks to tv], inactivity lead to a lot of mediocre boxers. Recently people were wowed by Floyd Mayweathers shoulder roll, but back in the day that was the regular, Charley Burley was a beast at it. Wasn't even famous because active fighters showed a lot of skill sets back then, floyds defense was the regular. Now we are used to mediocre defense, Leonard was considered defensive and he never showed any phenomenal tricks. Watered down talent, weaker era
@@robinsonray6766 Yer talkin outa yer ass romanticizing the past. People communicated internationally via telegram, not even telephone back then so how tha fuck was the sport more "Globalised" . Yer talkin outa yer ass. Depression era fighters were hungry, full stop. Same as malnourished famin or concentration camp victims are hungry. Does that make em super athletes ? Yera fuckin idiot.
Hammerin Hank became a preacher after retiring, and when he died the doctors said his heart was larger than a normal size. I believe he was in his 90's.
Yeah that was an explanation given to explain his unbelievable stamina. As far as swarming fighters go I think he's number 1. For greatest I have to pick ray robinson, 5 time middleweight champion and fought ATG competition even passed his prime.
I'm smoking 'barkeys' and wolfing down 'bon-bons' (and lots of hamburger 'buns') right now as I am listening to uber-long-winded Teddy Atlas 'shoot the breeze': Maybe I can convince Atlas to go 'duck-huntin' with me: We'll 'shoot ducks IN the breeze'.......
I don't know if you had this show in the UK, but in the US there was a TV show called "Friday Night Fights" with Teddy Atlas and others as analysts. That used to be an essential part of my Friday night ritual. I really, really miss his fight analysis and his stories about the fight game.
Armstrong held 3 titles in different weights back then but that’s equivalent to holding 5 titles in different weights today. Legendary. We will never see that again
I met Archie Moore in 1991 when he came by to my Mom's elementary school. It was meeting a legend! The Ol Mongoose holds the record for most KOs in a career and he was such a nice guy! Henry Armstrong is #1 also in my book! Thanks Teddy!!
What an honour to meet Moore. A true legend of the game and an eloquent, dignified and highly intelligent man. Also a fine trainer, who taught Foreman the Philly Shell defense that the big man adopted for much of his comeback.
@@alistairhann2094 This ^^^ guy has never seen Foreman fight. Unless hes calling a cross armed defense a Philly shell .. which is acyually just a shoulder roll, that didnt originate in Philadelphia, or anywhere else in particular & is something George Foreman most definitely never used in his entire boxing careers.
@@alistairhann2094 Thats why all the Philadelphia fighters use a cross armed guard eh ? #LoLz A few of the old time Phili boys, I think George Benton was one of em, mastered the shoulder roll Mayweather Sr n Jr are famous for, so Jonny come lately TH-cam experts like yerself renamed it a Phili shell. Archie Moore n Ken Norton are the only two I seen use the cross armed guard regularly, maybe Azumah Nelson too & I didn't see Foreman use it until he linked up with Angelo Dundee in his comeback. Pretty sure Archie was in Foremans camp at the start of his career, working with him & Liston.
@@SPIDERM0OSE Turns out you are right on this one. I'd always thought that was the name for the cross-arm guard. I don't claim to be an expert and have no problem admitting when I am wrong.
Could listen to Teddy talk boxing for a year. Miss going to gym with my Dad as a kid and listen to the old trainers talk fighters and stories. Best of times.
When Armstrong lost to Robinson, his fans told him that he would have beaten Robinson in his prime. Armstrong said that he never would have defeated Robinson.
While that is probably true (and remarkably humble/honest on Armstrong’s part to admit), you must consider that the primary REASON it is true is that Robinson was significantly larger than Armstrong by at least a couple full weight classes (full as in, there were no intermediary “weight classes” in between back then)
How about Aaron Pryor who had a style like Armstrong's and who was like a kamikaze himself would throw an unbelievable amount of punches. He could also box calmly and pick you apart. Remember He was a Lightweight when he turned pro and got frustrated because he was unable to secure a title shot with either of the Lightweight Champions who were avoiding him. So he moved up and fought Antonio Cervantes at Junior Welterweight. Both Leonard and Duran would shy away from talking about Pryor. He was considered to much risk for not enough money. The Welterweights wanted no part of him. Remember in those days if you didn't have a Gold medal you weren't getting on TV so soon. The money wasn't there. Howard Davis who was a good amateur Boxer and Gold Medalist had outpointed Pryor in a close fight in Olympic trials. Howard Davis was fighting Jim Watt for the WBC Lightweight title in June of 1980. Howard Davis only had around 13 fights going into that fight. He lost to Watt and Pryor was undefeated and probably had at least close to 20 plus fights and was knocking people out but wasn't being mentioned. I think I remember one of his fights finally being shown on NBC one weekend and I was like who is this guy ? He fights like he's in the school yard and somebody took his lunch or said something about his family. I had never seen a fighter be do reckless but yet do talented. He was amazing. Oh I am not saying he would have beaten Armstrong but it would have been an action packed fight from bell to bell.
CURTIS MCNEIL Id say a prime Durans style was just as similar to Armstrong’s as Prior’s was. The Hawk used allot of ones and twos but Durran and Armstrong both liked to fight on the inside and use some wrestling tactics
That's an Epic Dream-match for certain. I can name a big bunch of them,being that I'm almost 50 and have followed Boxing since my childhood. Here's a few. Hagler vs Monzon SRR vs Roy Jones Jr. SRR vs SRL SRR vs Thomas Hearns -Manny Pacqiou vs Julio Cesar Chavez. -Rocky Marciano vs Gene Tunney. -Evander Holyfield vs Jack Dempsey. -Max Baer vs Butterbean
@@curtismcneil8695 Pryor's balance is probably the key difference between him and Armstrong. You seem very knowledgeable about boxing, do you think Crawford resume is better than Pryor's right now? 140 has been considered somewhat weak historically.
Henry Armstrong won the welterweight title from Barney Ross. When Ross was taking way too much punishment his corner asked if he wanted to throw in the towel. Ross said "No, I'm going to go out like a champion." Armstrong saw what was happening in the Ross corner and he let up just a little in the last rounds so Ross could end the fight on his feet. I think that's class all the way. When Armstrong retired he became a Baptist minister and taught kids to box. He's a great choice for #1.
@@autokronicles8160 yeah we all know the story......or wait a minute....no, a lot of people probably dont. Yeah, he should have been the first champ champ champ champ.
The problem is those 18-19 title defenses are mostly against lightweights and sometimes lightweights with losing records. Not taking anything away from Armstrong but imagine the outcry and criticism that Floyd Mayweather took when he fought Juan Manuel Marquez and Marquez was top 2 pound for pound at that time, not mentioning he knocked out Pacquiao at 147, too. Armstrong is getting credit for beating lightweights in a welterweight match.
@Legend of Awe Sheeet !!! MARQUEZ also move up 2 weight classes and beat Pacquiao and Alvarado. So, against Floyd, MARQUEZ can't carry his skills to the bigger weight classes but with Pacquiao, he can. You're argument holds no water and actually like most critics are quite stupid and bias.
To me hes one of the best to ever live so skilled that everyone would learn something from from watching him just for one fight such an innovator he made a good and important contribution to boxing definitely to be remembered definitely one of the best of all time🥊 he set grounds for lots of boxing innovations he tested out tactics that everyone needed to learn about
I watched that man fight for the first time recently, amazing how technical his inside game was. His defense and ring savvy and aggressiveness never seen anything like it, unbelievable.
I'm amazed art how he jumped up and down in weight back then. Armstrong is my no.2. No.1 is Harry Greb. Billy Conn said he was the best he'd ever seen, and he'd seen Armstrong and Robinson. Armstrong fought 46 time in just over 2 years and won them all. He had 181 fights, 101 ko's, 152 wins, 22 loses and 9 drews.
Best I saw was Sugar Ray Robinson, but Teddy is correct I don't know all the fighters. They fought to live. Fought often to stay in shape. Love learning about the sport and old school fighters
Spitting facts Teddy is! Boxing was even more tough back then it is now and he is right that we don't really see great fighters verse each other anymore I miss those days I wasn't apart of them obviously but if you been invest in the sweet science and went back to watch or hear these fights you know you missed out. I hope Boxing will return to its formal glory one day because it used to be the number one sport in America. God Bless Teddy Atlas.
Man I hate to think of a day teddy won't be here to inform me. I have based almost my entire philosophy on the fight game on his Intel. Truly love this man and would give anything to meet him and pick his brain for five mins.. I got so many questions.
Sam Langford also in the mix. Don't know of any other lightweight who fought at heavyweight. Even with the smaller HWs at that time, you're still talking 60 pounds.
@@Keaweahe Very little footage of Langford -- denied the fights he deserved partly because of racism and also because he was a fearsome guy. In the clips I've seen, I'm always amazed by the length of his arms in proportion to his body. Probably explains how he could bang hard enough to mix it at HW.
@@alistairhann2094 lol, he was 5'6, for heavyweight, his reach was average. He looks similar to james toney and mayweather but more aggressive, and has a lot of power. Thats why hes ranked no 2 on the ring magazines punches list.
I'm backing the UK love for Teddy too. Got a fight coming up soon his motivation speech is so great. Alot of great trainers past away. But Teddy right here still
The IBRO ranked Henry Armstrong in the top 5 all-time in 3 different weight classes. He didn’t just win the titles, there are fewer than 5 men in any of those weight classes better than Henry Armstrong. That’s insane.
According to Archie Moore, Edddie Futch & George Benton Charley Burley was the best fighter they ever saw. Charley never got a title shot because he wouldn’t sign with the corrupt promoters who had control of boxing. Although only a natural welterweight he often had to take fights at light heavy and at least once at heavyweight just to get fights. Non of the welterweight or middleweight champions of his time were allowed any where near him. He even beat Archie Moore at light heavy when Moore was on his way up not when he was an old man. It’s a shame that such a great fighter gets no appreciation. I hope someone on Teddy’s podcast team reads this then maybe Teddy will give Burley the recognition he truly deserves.
As good as Burley was Ezzard Charles beat him twice, Charles is the most underrated champion in boxing, denied a shot at both the middleweight and light-heavyweight titles because he was so damn good, had to move up to heavyweight and more than held his own.
Danny Lovejoy Charles was a much bigger man Burley was a natural welterweight forced to take fights against much bigger guys because no top welterweights were allowed to go near him.
Teddy's right, would of been the first 4 time active champion in different weight classes, a marauding, calculated, inside fighter with an elusive cross arm defense and devastating cardio, the complete package. Fighters from this Era would have to pack a lunch if they fought 'Hammering Hank' 🔨😅🥊
Armstrong would run 15 miles to and back from work and guess what kind of work he did he hit spikes into railroads rails for eight hours a day. He truly was a beast
The best pound for pound: Sugar Ray Robinson The greatest fighter over all (accomplishments, ability, popularly, influence): Ali Greatest champion (accomplishments AS CHAMPION): joe Louis Honorable mention: Henry Armstrong, willie pep. Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Manny Pacquiao, Ezzard Charles, Julio Cesar Chavez, pernell Whitaker, Floyd Mayweather, Archie Moore, Carlos Monzon
@strategery101 Good List. P4P I have these 20 fighters ranked (based on observed skills {or use of skills versus HoF), record of top elites faced & beaten, longevity, undisputed champ status): 1. Sam Langford 11. Jack Johnson 2. Sugar Ray Robinson 12. Roberto Duran 3. Henry Armstrong 13. Willie Pep 4. Harry Greb 14. Barney Ross 5. Muhammad Ali 15. Archie Moore 6. Joe Louis 16. Gene Tunney 7. Benny Leonard 17. Tony Canzoneri 8. Joe Gans 18. Mickey Walker 9. Ezzard Charles 19. Holman Williams 10. Charley Burley 20. Jimmy McLarnin
@@strategery101 I don't think Marciano (as great as he was) is top 20 P4P (he's close, but not top 20). It's not his fault, but most of the ATG he beat were past their prime. In a weird way, Jimmy McLarnin also ran into this problem...but not as extreme.
I almost NEVER agree with Teddy, but I completely agree that Henry Armstrong is the greatest ever. It’s close with Willie Pep, Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Carlos Monzon, Muhammed Ali, Hagler, Ray Leonard and several other, but Henry was just so special.
Boxers who won titles in 3 weight categories definitely have to be listed as among the greatest of all time. Henry Armstrong was one of them. There are others, like Julio Cesar Chavez. Some of them lost crucial fights but still deserve mention, like Thomas Hearns, who won big fights all the way from welterweight to light heavyweight. Mickey Walker was another one.
Kerryl Johnson NOT AS A WELTERWEIGHT! HE DID HAVE A GREAT CHIN WHICH ALLOWED HIM TO TAKE CHANCES AND PUNCHES! JUST THINK ABOUT THIS , ROBINSON WAS 89-0, BEFORE LOSING HIS FIRST FIGHT TO LAMOTTA. UNHEARD OF TODAY. GUYS FOUGHT ONCE A WEEK YEARS AGO!🥊🥊🥊
Joe Louis or Sugar Ray Robinson imo. There are obviously greats in each division Duran in LW Hagler /Monzon in Mid,Sanchez in Feather,but those two stand out to me.
How can these fighters be ranked and there’s no footage of them? They have film of Greb signing a contract to fight Mickey Walker, but no footage of the fight???
I don’t have nowhere near the knowledge as Teddy does but IMO I still have to say Ray Robinson even though the tape on him is minimal what I saw was just a phenomenon of a fighter, he had it all. The Best Heavyweight EVER again IMO THE Great Joe Luis and these guys are WAY BEFORE my time. Also did I detect a cheap shot from Teddy to Mayweather or possibly Pac-Man or both? Hmm 🤨. Anyway it makes for healthy conversation 😊👍🏼
Wow. Beautifully articulated exactly why there’s been so many eras through the 20th century that were just insanely overloaded with unbelievable, all time great boxers. I wonder if he puts Armstrong at the very top, where he ranks Willie Pip. Cause I bet it’s super high as well (whereas he probably ranks Marciano surprisingly low).
Hey teddy love the show. I was wondering if you could do a show on matchmaking back in the day. Can you explain the business of boxing then? And how these guys ended with 100-200 total fights?
My dear Teddy Atlas..what a brilliant expert you are! I am nuts about your wonderful intelligence and top-notch understanding/explanations of a great sport! You and Emanuel Steward are the best! Thank you dear sir#
Anyone who hasn't read the great AJ Leibling's book on boxing , " The Sweet Science " , do yourself a huge favour . Arguably the best book ever written about the sport .
My opinion Archie Moore was the greatest. But I respect Teddy's choice as well. My favorite was Jack Dempsey or maybe Joe Walcott i like how jack represented working class and wallcott turned his life around.
To me there is no greatest, too many greats but my favorite is Ray Robinson, arguably the greatest is Joe Louis or like Teddy is stating the fighters of the past
For me, the greatest of all time is sugar ray Robinson, it’s his natural ability. The jab, power in both hands, speed, footwork, he made it look so easy and what a fight record! He fought them all, never ducked anyone and just dominated. Ray Robinson all day everyday…
Like can you imagine what Robinson would box like in today’s era considering how awesome he looked back then and with how boxing techniques and training has evolved!
@@Lonelysportofboxing SRR in his prime would beat most of the current competition. 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, noughties boxers are better than the current generation.
@@LonelysportofboxingBoxing has not evolved, nor has equipment increased. Name an example of boxing training that we do now, that they didn't do back then. Boxing peaked in the 1940s.
Great respect forTeddy but if he were asked if Armstrong could beat Sugar Ray he'd say no. Armstrong had one style, Ray had all styles available to him. Plus one of the great chins of all time- stopped once (heat) in his lengthy career - incomparable.
Teddy is so right about boxing back then no ducking boxers,the number of fights you had to have before you fight at a madison square garden,etc. compared to what boxing is now.
My father boxed,I'm old now. Never saw Armstrong fight until the internet came around. Dad always told me he didn't think there was a man on the planet who ever lived that could beat him in his prime...., maybe Greb. Who's Greb? I got the look of I'm old and you're young and dumb. I think that if we could take the best fighters from every weight class and match them up regardless in the ring one after another on their best day we'd have a lot of dead men. Let's just be thankful for the great fights we've gotten to see a d the brain cells we didn't lose because we weren't a part of them. Men among men who wish they were. The best fighter who ever lived probably spent his day's toiling through whatever job kept his family out of poverty and wanted his children to have better than he ever thought he could have.
Personally I believe Archie Moore was the greatest boxer. He could use all guards and transition between them perfectly. Had faced some of the best competition ever. Also he seemed like a man of great morals.
If you want to understand the dimensions of the hook, great fighter to watch. I think Teddy and I would have a great creative discussions. One day ma meet this guy. Despite the fact I hate him and Mike aren’t close no more. I understand but dam those guys are remnants of one of the greatest teachers in history, Cus Damatto.
Floyd money Mayweather. Beat 16 world champions in 16 consecutive fights. Champ in 5 different weight classes and he is considered the greatest defensive fighter of all time. Also retired undefeated. TBE. I know most people hate him but nonetheless pure greatness.
I findissues with how most decide this GOAT. This one to focus solely on the numbers is the most common.And to use Teddy's example where he sarcastically clapped for the modern age of fighters who fight ONLY 4 times. In the way life has changed drastically in 20 years in terms if what you as an individual have to deal with it just not feasible or realistic to fight more often. So Henry would not have fought 300 fights through a modern career. And if you want to use that warped paradigm which negates the modern environment then invert it and throw floyd into that era with his current skill set and ability. He would be 1000 and 0 It will never be just about numbers.I say just coz its a big part if the story. FOR ME 1.Take the Record in terms if win to loss ratio 2.factor in the competition 3.longevity 4.fighting style 5.personal journey in terms of what that particular fighter faced to still achieve the above. Its undeniably Ali. In a simple argument. Normally in any sporys athletes get quicker, stronger more athletic. Its why we are seen so many records across athletic sports been broken. Its undeniable. Ali is one of the few anomalies.You can throw a Ali of 45 years ago in the heavyweight division now and still no heavweight has ever moved liked him
Armstrong got robbed of the MIDDLEWEIGHT championship belt when he fought Ceferino Garcia. Armstrong is the best ever. The record speaks for itself. He won world titles when they actually meant something. Sugar Ray only won 2 divisions he failed winning the 3rd because of heat exhaustion. Homicide Hank was the original pound 4 pound king!
Mtf, That’s bullshit, he was on the comeback and had beaten Sammy Angott, Juan Zurita, Tippy Larkin, Leo Rodak, Fritzie Zivic, and avenged a loss to Willie Joyce too.
Cus D'Amato crowned Armstrong as the greatest boxer/fighter. I appreciate and respect Atlas to not forget his teachers words. And Sugar Ray Robinson is the same level just Armstrongs junior, and and Ali bowed down to Sugar Ray. Its tuff to name a top five. Yet 1 and 2 is Armstrong and Robinson.
I'll see your Hank and raise you one Walker Smith Jr. In 11 years before his first retirement, he went 128-1-2 with 84 KOs, and was undefeated as an amateur with 85-0 (or 87-0) and 69 KO's. He won his first 40 before losing to LaMotta, who he beat 5 of 6. He went on a 91 fight unbeaten streak..... and he beat Hank Armstrong. Hey, Armstrong was older, but Ray beat him easy in 10. If you include his amateur run up to his first pro loss, he went 125 - 0 (or 127-0). Look at the names on his record, that makes him a Hall of Famer a couple of times over. He was just that good, well spoken, stylish and a real raconteur and gentleman. He couldn't sing or dance that well, but it didn't stop him. :) Sugar Ray. The original. The term "pound for pound" was COINED for Ray Robinson..... OK, I'll stop now.
Hey Teddy thanks for your input and commentary, as well as the way you outline the path to your conclusions. I really appreciate how you try your best to communicate your method of analysis to allow the listener to see how you derive the conclusions you do from your perspective and experience. I find your opinions well thought and really like the approach you use to explain it analogies, metaphors, stories ect... right, wrong or indifferent I do believe your opinions are well thought out and your being honest believing what you say and that is Great. I know you already said Henry Armstrong is the Goat but if you were to reconsider Sugar Ray Robinson as an equation I would like to know if you would still be as firm on Henry Armstrong or if you would maybe lean Sugar Ray Robinson just over him? Either way I would not only like to know but but I would also like to know what would make you edge one maybe just slightly over the other love to here your thoughts just curious?
He not lying y’all. It was harder in our grandparents era. Just understand that asking across to the mall or to another state to visit family. No AC. Boxing I. Particular, 15 to 20 or more fights a year in 15 plus rounds!
When Henry Armstrong was on his way to win another world title in his 4th weight division at a time where there were only 8 divisions, it was a Filipino fighter that broke that historic run and made sure that it didn't happen. Now, some 70+ years later, Manny Pacquiao, a Filipino, became the only boxer in history to win world titles in 4 of the 8 original 'glamour' divisions. (flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight) On top of that, Pacquiao is also the oldest welterweight champion in history at 40 yrs old, which is a very underrated achievement considering the rich history of welterweights. And of course, Manny being the only octuple champion and the only fighter to win lineal titles in 5 divisions. Henry Armstrong, on the other hand, was believed to have declined after losing the welterweight crown to Fritzie Zivic when he was just 31 years old. He would have his last shot at a world title when he was just 31. So already, longer sustained peak and longevity belongs to Pacquiao if we compare their careers. Some would argue that Henry's run was more valuable because there were only 8 world titles when he was fighting and he held 3 of them simultaneously. But, Manny Pacquiao in my opinion, even has a better argument because he actually won WORLD titles against fighters from different countries whereas Henry was mostly beating Americans at a time where boxing was largely still just an American sport. Not to mention, boxing had evolved to become more modern since Henry's reign with advancements in science, diet, nutrition, training, equipment etc. So although Hank was fighting more frequently, Pacquiao was fighting harder opponents on average. Henry "Hurricane Hank" Armstrong had been consistently ranked as top 3 all time by most boxing historians and rightly so. Teddy Atlas today still considers him as the GOAT. However, it's been 8 years since Manny broke his records that were once thought as "unbreakable" but I've yet to see any legit "boxing historian" rank Manny higher than Armstrong.
It’s because Robinson (my favorite fighter) does not really have a lot of boxing accomplishments records that are on levels as someone like Mayweather like beating most world champions. BUT Sugar Ray Robinson in terms of Boxing skills has to be the greatest boxer I’ve ever seen I mean true Beautiful Brutality every technique was perfect of his with dazzling footwork , tremendous amount of Speed and Power in both hands and just the other little known facts about him having a winning streak of 128 Wins - 1 Loss with like 84 Knockouts and 1 kill (R.I.P Jimmy Doyle) at a point of time Unbelievable streak!
I mean I can go on about how amazing his career was but I just wish Ray Robinson had more great accomplishments like Beating more world champions or Having more Consecutive Title Defenses/world title wins hell maybe even being the oldest fighter in history to win a world championship breaking Bernard Hopkins record.
@@Lonelysportofboxing Those accomplishments that Floyd did couldn't have happened back then. There are 17 divisions and 4 world titles. Back then, there were 8 divisions and 2 world titles. Are you seriously saying that there can be up to 61 champions? Doesn't make sense.
5’5 and fought from 125lbs to 160lbs WITHOUT any junior classes in b/w. Won titles at 3 of those classes and fought to a draw at middleweight. Henry Armstrong is the 🐐
Sam Langford would have smoked him.....look up The Boston tar baby
Back when there where only 8 divisions and 1 belt for each division real prestigious champions.
@@ComaToast1 absolutely
Wrong. He fought at junior welterweight but never became champ there. Don't believe everything TH-cam boxing histerians tell you.
he officially retired in 45 and 140 lbs started in 46.
Henry Armstrong began his career losing 4 of his first 5 fights, he was only KO'd or TKO's 2 times out of 181 fights in which he won 151! WOW, what a career!
Society now Mickey Mouse that’s a warrior a legend
Armstrong didn't keep losing his title everytime you turn around like Robinson did.
@@fmills1583 what? Was srr not undefeated as a welterweight? Went 128-1 before losing again
@@mjkpanda Yes...and?
Homicide Hank Henry Armstrong🐐👑
There were EIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS when Armstrong had THREE of the world titles. He almost had HALF THE WORLD TITLES.
Ray Leonard held the Welterweight & Light Middleweight World Titles at the same time & used the Light Middleweight title fight against an undefeated Champion as a warm up to face the undefeated Tommy Hearns !
A much more professional era, better athletes, higher stakes, global audiences.
Armstrongs accomplishments in a less professional era dont outshine Leonards gold medal & then beating undefeated Benetiz.
Leonard is possibly the most under rated all time great, of all time.
In fact apparently he was robbed and could of had 4 titles at the same time
@@SPIDERM0OSE Leonard got a lot more gifts, and was very inactive.
I'm not sure what you mean by a more professional era. Steaks were higher in Armstrong era, if you did no good you're dead out of luck great depression breed hungrier fighters.
Boxing was bigger on the global scale when Armstrong fought, it had a slow decline which continued in the Leonard era.
Leonard fought in an era where boxers fought less and got payed more [thanks to tv], inactivity lead to a lot of mediocre boxers.
Recently people were wowed by Floyd Mayweathers shoulder roll, but back in the day that was the regular, Charley Burley was a beast at it. Wasn't even famous because active fighters showed a lot of skill sets back then, floyds defense was the regular. Now we are used to mediocre defense, Leonard was considered defensive and he never showed any phenomenal tricks. Watered down talent, weaker era
@@robinsonray6766
Yer talkin outa yer ass romanticizing the past.
People communicated internationally via telegram, not even telephone back then so how tha fuck was the sport more "Globalised" .
Yer talkin outa yer ass.
Depression era fighters were hungry, full stop. Same as malnourished famin or concentration camp victims are hungry.
Does that make em super athletes ?
Yera fuckin idiot.
Robinson Ray eh....
Hammerin Hank became a preacher after retiring, and when he died the doctors said his heart was larger than a normal size. I believe he was in his 90's.
Yeah that was an explanation given to explain his unbelievable stamina. As far as swarming fighters go I think he's number 1. For greatest I have to pick ray robinson, 5 time middleweight champion and fought ATG competition even passed his prime.
John Durant hammerin was born on the 12/12/12 and I believe he died in 1988, would’ve made him 75
Homocide hank was the name
Love listening to Teddy. I get my tea and biscuits at the ready. Much love from the UK
Same here mate lol and much love from London, England, U.K. 🏴🇬🇧
Ffs christopher
I'm smoking 'barkeys' and wolfing down 'bon-bons' (and lots of hamburger 'buns') right now as I am listening to uber-long-winded Teddy Atlas 'shoot the breeze': Maybe I can convince Atlas to go 'duck-huntin' with me: We'll 'shoot ducks IN the breeze'.......
I don't know if you had this show in the UK, but in the US there was a TV show called "Friday Night Fights" with Teddy Atlas and others as analysts. That used to be an essential part of my Friday night ritual. I really, really miss his fight analysis and his stories about the fight game.
@@Artaud1957 I’m from the uk and used to watch Friday night fights and loved Teddy’s commentary, so it was on over here too!
The Man who inspired Joe Frazier. Both of them were non stop action. Neither of them believed in clinching or taking a backwards step!
Teddy’s analogies will forever be written in history! Love listening to the man.
Armstrong held 3 titles in different weights back then but that’s equivalent to holding 5 titles in different weights today. Legendary. We will never see that again
Naw, that actually would be like 7 weight divisions.
I met Archie Moore in 1991 when he came by to my Mom's elementary school. It was meeting a legend! The Ol Mongoose holds the record for most KOs in a career and he was such a nice guy! Henry Armstrong is #1 also in my book! Thanks Teddy!!
What an honour to meet Moore. A true legend of the game and an eloquent, dignified and highly intelligent man. Also a fine trainer, who taught Foreman the Philly Shell defense that the big man adopted for much of his comeback.
@@alistairhann2094
This ^^^ guy has never seen Foreman fight.
Unless hes calling a cross armed defense a Philly shell .. which is acyually just a shoulder roll, that didnt originate in Philadelphia, or anywhere else in particular & is something George Foreman most definitely never used in his entire boxing careers.
@@SPIDERM0OSE I've seen almost every Foreman fight. The shell is the cross armed defense -- nothing to do with the shoulder roll.
@@alistairhann2094
Thats why all the Philadelphia fighters use a cross armed guard eh ?
#LoLz
A few of the old time Phili boys, I think George Benton was one of em, mastered the shoulder roll Mayweather Sr n Jr are famous for, so Jonny come lately TH-cam experts like yerself renamed it a Phili shell.
Archie Moore n Ken Norton are the only two I seen use the cross armed guard regularly, maybe Azumah Nelson too & I didn't see Foreman use it until he linked up with Angelo Dundee in his comeback.
Pretty sure Archie was in Foremans camp at the start of his career, working with him & Liston.
@@SPIDERM0OSE Turns out you are right on this one. I'd always thought that was the name for the cross-arm guard. I don't claim to be an expert and have no problem admitting when I am wrong.
Could listen to Teddy talk boxing for a year. Miss going to gym with my Dad as a kid and listen to the old trainers talk fighters and stories. Best of times.
When Armstrong lost to Robinson, his fans told him that he would have beaten Robinson in his prime. Armstrong said that he never would have defeated Robinson.
Robinson carried Armstrong out of respect. He idolized him.
Robinson said it was an honor to have beaten his idol...😭😭😭 Shit is strong man
While that is probably true (and remarkably humble/honest on Armstrong’s part to admit), you must consider that the primary REASON it is true is that Robinson was significantly larger than Armstrong by at least a couple full weight classes (full as in, there were no intermediary “weight classes” in between back then)
Yeah Robinson was way bigger than Armstrong.
My point!!! How did he not mention Ray Robinson??? Crazy
The first time I heard teddy talk about Henry Armstrong is in fight night champion when he says the great Henry Armstrong never took a step back
Absolutely true. Never gave his opponents room to breathe either
My all-time dream match-up: Duran-Armstrong at lightweight. BOOOOMMMM!
How about Aaron Pryor who had a style like Armstrong's and who was like a kamikaze himself would throw an unbelievable amount of punches. He could also box calmly and pick you apart. Remember He was a Lightweight when he turned pro and got frustrated because he was unable to secure a title shot with either of the Lightweight Champions who were avoiding him. So he moved up and fought Antonio Cervantes at Junior Welterweight. Both Leonard and Duran would shy away from talking about Pryor. He was considered to much risk for not enough money. The Welterweights wanted no part of him. Remember in those days if you didn't have a Gold medal you weren't getting on TV so soon. The money wasn't there. Howard Davis who was a good amateur Boxer and Gold Medalist had outpointed Pryor in a close fight in Olympic trials. Howard Davis was fighting Jim Watt for the WBC Lightweight title in June of 1980. Howard Davis only had around 13 fights going into that fight. He lost to Watt and Pryor was undefeated and probably had at least close to 20 plus fights and was knocking people out but wasn't being mentioned. I think I remember one of his fights finally being shown on NBC one weekend and I was like who is this guy ? He fights like he's in the school yard and somebody took his lunch or said something about his family. I had never seen a fighter be do reckless but yet do talented. He was amazing. Oh I am not saying he would have beaten Armstrong but it would have been an action packed fight from bell to bell.
Alistair Hann ya Duran vs Armstrong is my dream fight. I’d probably pick Hammering Hank but damn that’s tough
CURTIS MCNEIL Id say a prime Durans style was just as similar to Armstrong’s as Prior’s was. The Hawk used allot of ones and twos but Durran and Armstrong both liked to fight on the inside and use some wrestling tactics
That's an Epic Dream-match for certain. I can name a big bunch of them,being that I'm almost 50 and have followed Boxing since my childhood. Here's a few.
Hagler vs Monzon
SRR vs Roy Jones Jr.
SRR vs SRL
SRR vs Thomas Hearns
-Manny Pacqiou vs Julio Cesar Chavez.
-Rocky Marciano vs Gene Tunney.
-Evander Holyfield vs Jack Dempsey.
-Max Baer vs Butterbean
@@curtismcneil8695 Pryor's balance is probably the key difference between him and Armstrong. You seem very knowledgeable about boxing, do you think Crawford resume is better than Pryor's right now? 140 has been considered somewhat weak historically.
Finally someone giving Hank his due.
I respect the the grit and tenacity of the old fighters. You got in the ring and proved yourself. Period.
I knew Teddy would say Henry Armstrong .. Am same Henry Armstrong yes . He had more fights than all Boxers put together today
gussstavo well said mate so true your comment
Armstrong Was Pure Warrior
Truly A Legend
Robinson was the best easy.. He beat everyone, at 135,147 and 160 before he fought for 147 belt..
Robinson was a monster..
Not easily tho homey Hank was robbed in a fight at 160 if not he is a four division champ at the same time!
@@mookeychase0907 facts Armstrong and Greg are the best of all time
Sugar Ray Robinson beat Henry Armstrong
@@darealone2520 Armstrong was way passed his prime at that point. Robinson idolized him and he even admitted that from what I read.
The only person the mob had to deal with and not the other way around.
Henry Armstrong won the welterweight title from Barney Ross. When Ross was taking way too much punishment his corner asked if he wanted to throw in the towel. Ross said "No, I'm going to go out like a champion." Armstrong saw what was happening in the Ross corner and he let up just a little in the last rounds so Ross could end the fight on his feet. I think that's class all the way. When Armstrong retired he became a Baptist minister and taught kids to box. He's a great choice for #1.
Armstrong defended his welter belt some 17 times iirc. Still holds the record at 147.
19 defenses in 2 years..
Joe Ridge they robbed him for the middleweight title
@@autokronicles8160 yeah we all know the story......or wait a minute....no, a lot of people probably dont. Yeah, he should have been the first champ champ champ champ.
The problem is those 18-19 title defenses are mostly against lightweights and sometimes lightweights with losing records. Not taking anything away from Armstrong but imagine the outcry and criticism that Floyd Mayweather took when he fought Juan Manuel Marquez and Marquez was top 2 pound for pound at that time, not mentioning he knocked out Pacquiao at 147, too. Armstrong is getting credit for beating lightweights in a welterweight match.
@Legend of Awe Sheeet !!! MARQUEZ also move up 2 weight classes and beat Pacquiao and Alvarado. So, against Floyd, MARQUEZ can't carry his skills to the bigger weight classes but with Pacquiao, he can. You're argument holds no water and actually like most critics are quite stupid and bias.
Hi Teddy, listened to your audiobook few weeks ago, best listen this year, thankyou.
Can you please give me the link for that audio book?
@@dragoljubradovic9790 its called "Atlas" and its on audible 👌
Teddy makes the right pick in Armstrong
To me hes one of the best to ever live so skilled that everyone would learn something from from watching him just for one fight such an innovator he made a good and important contribution to boxing definitely to be remembered definitely one of the best of all time🥊 he set grounds for lots of boxing innovations he tested out tactics that everyone needed to learn about
I watched that man fight for the first time recently, amazing how technical his inside game was. His defense and ring savvy and aggressiveness never seen anything like it, unbelievable.
I'm amazed art how he jumped up and down in weight back then. Armstrong is my no.2. No.1 is Harry Greb. Billy Conn said he was the best he'd ever seen, and he'd seen Armstrong and Robinson. Armstrong fought 46 time in just over 2 years and won them all. He had 181 fights, 101 ko's, 152 wins, 22 loses and 9 drews.
Best I saw was Sugar Ray Robinson, but Teddy is correct I don't know all the fighters. They fought to live. Fought often to stay in shape. Love learning about the sport and old school fighters
Spitting facts Teddy is! Boxing was even more tough back then it is now and he is right that we don't really see great fighters verse each other anymore I miss those days I wasn't apart of them obviously but if you been invest in the sweet science and went back to watch or hear these fights you know you missed out. I hope Boxing will return to its formal glory one day because it used to be the number one sport in America. God Bless Teddy Atlas.
Watched some videos on him. WOW! Amazing boxer. I'm glad Teddy mentioned him.
Man I hate to think of a day teddy won't be here to inform me. I have based almost my entire philosophy on the fight game on his Intel. Truly love this man and would give anything to meet him and pick his brain for five mins.. I got so many questions.
Sam Langford also in the mix. Don't know of any other lightweight who fought at heavyweight. Even with the smaller HWs at that time, you're still talking 60 pounds.
Agreed.
Langford is my favorite. I love the densive styles that are aggressive like duran as well.
@@Keaweahe Very little footage of Langford -- denied the fights he deserved partly because of racism and also because he was a fearsome guy. In the clips I've seen, I'm always amazed by the length of his arms in proportion to his body. Probably explains how he could bang hard enough to mix it at HW.
@@alistairhann2094 lol, he was 5'6, for heavyweight, his reach was average. He looks similar to james toney and mayweather but more aggressive, and has a lot of power. Thats why hes ranked no 2 on the ring magazines punches list.
@@alistairhann2094 your right though, for his body shape, his arms were ridiculous long
I'm backing the UK love for Teddy too. Got a fight coming up soon his motivation speech is so great. Alot of great trainers past away. But Teddy right here still
The IBRO ranked Henry Armstrong in the top 5 all-time in 3 different weight classes. He didn’t just win the titles, there are fewer than 5 men in any of those weight classes better than Henry Armstrong. That’s insane.
According to Archie Moore, Edddie Futch & George Benton Charley Burley was the best fighter they ever saw. Charley never got a title shot because he wouldn’t sign with the corrupt promoters who had control of boxing. Although only a natural welterweight he often had to take fights at light heavy and at least once at heavyweight just to get fights. Non of the welterweight or middleweight champions of his time were allowed any where near him. He even beat Archie Moore at light heavy when Moore was on his way up not when he was an old man. It’s a shame that such a great fighter gets no appreciation. I hope someone on Teddy’s podcast team reads this then maybe Teddy will give Burley the recognition he truly deserves.
Robinson and Armstrong avoided Burley
As good as Burley was Ezzard Charles beat him twice, Charles is the most underrated champion in boxing, denied a shot at both the middleweight and light-heavyweight titles because he was so damn good, had to move up to heavyweight and more than held his own.
@@dannylovejoy5895 Charles was maybe top 15 all time?
Danny Lovejoy Charles was a much bigger man Burley was a natural welterweight forced to take fights against much bigger guys because no top welterweights were allowed to go near him.
@@markdavies2662 among many others
"their fingers would've melted". Love this.
Teddy, you have the greatest delivery! Love listening to you and your knowledge. Enjoyed your book too. Thanks for all you do!
Wow. I wish I'd have found this sooner. I've probably learned more about boxing listening to teddy do commentary than I ever could watching fights
Teddy's right, would of been the first 4 time active champion in different weight classes, a marauding, calculated, inside fighter with an elusive cross arm defense and devastating cardio, the complete package. Fighters from this Era would have to pack a lunch if they fought 'Hammering Hank' 🔨😅🥊
Armstrong would run 15 miles to and back from work and guess what kind of work he did he hit spikes into railroads rails for eight hours a day. He truly was a beast
The best pound for pound: Sugar Ray Robinson
The greatest fighter over all (accomplishments, ability, popularly, influence): Ali
Greatest champion (accomplishments AS CHAMPION): joe Louis
Honorable mention: Henry Armstrong, willie pep. Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Manny Pacquiao, Ezzard Charles, Julio Cesar Chavez, pernell Whitaker, Floyd Mayweather, Archie Moore, Carlos Monzon
strategery101 no Rocky Marciano?
@strategery101 Good List. P4P I have these 20 fighters ranked (based on observed skills {or use of skills versus HoF), record of top elites faced & beaten, longevity, undisputed champ status):
1. Sam Langford 11. Jack Johnson
2. Sugar Ray Robinson 12. Roberto Duran
3. Henry Armstrong 13. Willie Pep
4. Harry Greb 14. Barney Ross
5. Muhammad Ali 15. Archie Moore
6. Joe Louis 16. Gene Tunney
7. Benny Leonard 17. Tony Canzoneri
8. Joe Gans 18. Mickey Walker
9. Ezzard Charles 19. Holman Williams
10. Charley Burley 20. Jimmy McLarnin
Adrien broner is greater than Roy Jones. Goat
Maule. You could put Marciano in there. There are a few others you could put in there as well.
@@strategery101 I don't think Marciano (as great as he was) is top 20 P4P (he's close, but not top 20). It's not his fault, but most of the ATG he beat were past their prime. In a weird way, Jimmy McLarnin also ran into this problem...but not as extreme.
I almost NEVER agree with Teddy, but I completely agree that Henry Armstrong is the greatest ever. It’s close with Willie Pep, Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Carlos Monzon, Muhammed Ali, Hagler, Ray Leonard and several other, but Henry was just so special.
Boxers who won titles in 3 weight categories definitely have to be listed as among the greatest of all time. Henry Armstrong was one of them. There are others, like Julio Cesar Chavez. Some of them lost crucial fights but still deserve mention, like Thomas Hearns, who won big fights all the way from welterweight to light heavyweight. Mickey Walker was another one.
GREAT CHOICE! HAMMERING HANK WAS A BEAST. PERSONALLY I LIKE SUGAR RAY ROBINSON! CANNOT GO WRONG WITH EITHER ONE!🥊🥊🥊
Robinson ducked burley
Robinson got hit too much also.
Kerryl Johnson NOT AS A WELTERWEIGHT! HE DID HAVE A GREAT CHIN WHICH ALLOWED HIM TO TAKE CHANCES AND PUNCHES! JUST THINK ABOUT THIS , ROBINSON WAS 89-0, BEFORE LOSING HIS FIRST FIGHT TO LAMOTTA. UNHEARD OF TODAY. GUYS FOUGHT ONCE A WEEK YEARS AGO!🥊🥊🥊
Auto Kronicles AS A BIG SUGAR RAY FAN, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE HE DUCKED ANYONE? WHO WAS BURLEY?🤔🥊🤔
Richard Robinson if you don’t know Charles burley then ydksab
Well done Teddy. I have Greb and Robinson at number one and two respectively. I have Armstrong number three. He was an absolute MONSTER.
Never seen an Armstrong fight, but you have to be impressed by his record.
Joe Louis or Sugar Ray Robinson imo. There are obviously greats in each division Duran in LW Hagler /Monzon in Mid,Sanchez in Feather,but those two stand out to me.
Substitute Joe Louis for Henry Armstrong
The greatest for me was Harry Greb.
Look up his record and read his story.
Fantastic.
A totally indomitable will.
Thats a good choice, hes definitely in the mix. For me its Sam Langford.
Langford or Greb for me....
Greb, Langford, Robinson, and Armstrong. Top 4 for me.
And it’s a damn shame we don’t even have footage of Harry Greb… barely any of Little Sam and barely any of Robinson in his prime.
How can these fighters be ranked and there’s no footage of them?
They have film of Greb signing a contract to fight Mickey Walker, but no footage of the fight???
I agree teddy! I love how you educated the casuals. This program is great!!!
I don’t have nowhere near the knowledge as Teddy does but IMO I still have to say Ray Robinson even though the tape on him is minimal what I saw was just a phenomenon of a fighter, he had it all. The Best Heavyweight EVER again IMO THE Great Joe Luis and these guys are WAY BEFORE my time. Also did I detect a cheap shot from Teddy to Mayweather or possibly Pac-Man or both? Hmm 🤨. Anyway it makes for healthy conversation 😊👍🏼
I agree Henry Armstrong was a beast.
Wow. Beautifully articulated exactly why there’s been so many eras through the 20th century that were just insanely overloaded with unbelievable, all time great boxers.
I wonder if he puts Armstrong at the very top, where he ranks Willie Pip. Cause I bet it’s super high as well (whereas he probably ranks Marciano surprisingly low).
Gotta respect it. Never heard a good argument that didnt have SRR as number one until now
Armstrong, agreed. Can you imagine him coming after you in the ring? He was relentless. No low gear to the man. Armstrong gets my vote.
Undisputed in 3 weight classes at the same time. Pound for Pound the best ever.
It was a different time.. he couldn't do that nowadays, the sport has evolved..
@@PimpingAintEasy1 The 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, noughties is better than the current era of boxing.
Hey teddy love the show. I was wondering if you could do a show on matchmaking back in the day. Can you explain the business of boxing then? And how these guys ended with 100-200 total fights?
My dear Teddy Atlas..what a brilliant expert you are! I am nuts about your wonderful intelligence and top-notch understanding/explanations of a great sport! You and Emanuel Steward are the best! Thank you dear sir#
Anyone who hasn't read the great AJ Leibling's book on boxing , " The Sweet Science " , do yourself a huge favour . Arguably the best book ever written about the sport .
Really ! I was so looking forward to reading it and was massively disappointed !
Amen to this. Also Liebling's a "A Neutral Corner".
My opinion Archie Moore was the greatest. But I respect Teddy's choice as well. My favorite was Jack Dempsey or maybe Joe Walcott i like how jack represented working class and wallcott turned his life around.
Perpetual Motion. ......!!🥊🥊
So true..what he saying.. preach teddy 😊👍
To me there is no greatest, too many greats but my favorite is Ray Robinson, arguably the greatest is Joe Louis or like Teddy is stating the fighters of the past
Best pound for pound: Robinson
Greatest of all time: Ali
Greatest champion: Louis
It’s a disgrace there isn’t footage of Robinson in most of the 40s. We have film from the 1890s but not of Robinson from the 1940s??! What the hell
Harry Greb is one of the very best ever, if not the very best and there’s no clear footage of him
Sabreeem Neely Robinson was a ducker
@Dezi King so who do u think is the greatest of all time
Sugar Ray Robinson = 🐐
No. Fres oquendo is the goat.
Adrien broner is the goat.
For me, the greatest of all time is sugar ray Robinson, it’s his natural ability. The jab, power in both hands, speed, footwork, he made it look so easy and what a fight record! He fought them all, never ducked anyone and just dominated. Ray Robinson all day everyday…
And just his fluid movement when you saw him box you knew it would be a display of beauty. “Beautiful Brutality”
Like can you imagine what Robinson would box like in today’s era considering how awesome he looked back then and with how boxing techniques and training has evolved!
@@Lonelysportofboxing SRR in his prime would beat most of the current competition. 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, noughties boxers are better than the current generation.
@@LonelysportofboxingBoxing has not evolved, nor has equipment increased. Name an example of boxing training that we do now, that they didn't do back then. Boxing peaked in the 1940s.
thankYou for configuring the real Boxing game sharp Gentleman
Great respect forTeddy but if he were asked if Armstrong could beat Sugar Ray he'd say no. Armstrong had one style, Ray had all styles available to him. Plus one of the great chins of all time- stopped once (heat) in his lengthy career - incomparable.
Teddy is so right about boxing back then no ducking boxers,the number of fights you had to have before you fight at a madison square garden,etc. compared to what boxing is now.
He’s my all time favorite.
My greatest is tha sweet unstoppable one- Sugar Ray Robinson👊🏾👊🏾
Teddy answers are like dissertation
What?
@@jasonablah7702 thanks I change it
Reduntant and tiring mostly
My father boxed,I'm old now. Never saw Armstrong fight until the internet came around. Dad always told me he didn't think there was a man on the planet who ever lived that could beat him in his prime...., maybe Greb. Who's Greb? I got the look of I'm old and you're young and dumb. I think that if we could take the best fighters from every weight class and match them up regardless in the ring one after another on their best day we'd have a lot of dead men. Let's just be thankful for the great fights we've gotten to see a d the brain cells we didn't lose because we weren't a part of them. Men among men who wish they were. The best fighter who ever lived probably spent his day's toiling through whatever job kept his family out of poverty and wanted his children to have better than he ever thought he could have.
Please do a video on Sam Langford
Personally I believe Archie Moore was the greatest boxer. He could use all guards and transition between them perfectly. Had faced some of the best competition ever. Also he seemed like a man of great morals.
If you want to understand the dimensions of the hook, great fighter to watch. I think Teddy and I would have a great creative discussions. One day ma meet this guy. Despite the fact I hate him and Mike aren’t close no more. I understand but dam those guys are remnants of one of the greatest teachers in history, Cus Damatto.
and the funniest thing is, his real name was Henry Melody Jackson . MELODY was his middle name.
Strong pick from Teddy.
Sugar Ray Robinson was that Guy it is a Reason other fighters adopt the name Sugar Ray💯 🐐
Floyd money Mayweather. Beat 16 world champions in 16 consecutive fights. Champ in 5 different weight classes and he is considered the greatest defensive fighter of all time. Also retired undefeated. TBE. I know most people hate him but nonetheless pure greatness.
I findissues with how most decide this GOAT.
This one to focus solely on the numbers is the most common.And to use Teddy's example where he sarcastically clapped for the modern age of fighters who fight ONLY 4 times.
In the way life has changed drastically in 20 years in terms if what you as an individual have to deal with it just not feasible or realistic to fight more often.
So Henry would not have fought 300 fights through a modern career.
And if you want to use that warped paradigm which negates the modern environment then invert it and throw floyd into that era with his current skill set and ability. He would be 1000 and 0
It will never be just about numbers.I say just coz its a big part if the story.
FOR ME
1.Take the Record in terms if win to loss ratio
2.factor in the competition
3.longevity
4.fighting style
5.personal journey in terms of what that particular fighter faced to still achieve the above.
Its undeniably Ali.
In a simple argument.
Normally in any sporys athletes get quicker, stronger more athletic. Its why we are seen so many records across athletic sports been broken. Its undeniable.
Ali is one of the few anomalies.You can throw a Ali of 45 years ago in the heavyweight division now and still no heavweight has ever moved liked him
Always when they talk about who is the greatest of all time the only mentioned Ali or Robinson I don't know why they never mentioned Henry armstrong
Robinson - Armstrong - Pep-
Armstrong got robbed of the MIDDLEWEIGHT championship belt when he fought Ceferino Garcia. Armstrong is the best ever. The record speaks for itself. He won world titles when they actually meant something. Sugar Ray only won 2 divisions he failed winning the 3rd because of heat exhaustion. Homicide Hank was the original pound 4 pound king!
@@joesoto690 career -wise yes, you are probably correct
Joe Soto, Armstrong and Robinson fought. Do you have any idea who won?
@@The_Ex_Boxing_Nerd yeah...Armstrong was at the very end...SRR said he held back so that not to hurt him....Armstrong answered Robinson was scared..
Mtf, That’s bullshit, he was on the comeback and had beaten Sammy Angott, Juan Zurita, Tippy Larkin, Leo Rodak, Fritzie Zivic, and avenged a loss to Willie Joyce too.
Armstrong and Sal Sanchez probably had the best stamina in boxing history
Love listening to an expert! Teddy is excellent
Cus D'Amato crowned Armstrong as the greatest boxer/fighter. I appreciate and respect Atlas to not forget his teachers words. And Sugar Ray Robinson is the same level just Armstrongs junior, and and Ali bowed down to Sugar Ray. Its tuff to name a top five. Yet 1 and 2 is Armstrong and Robinson.
Henry Armstrong is a great choice. Era of boxing in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 70s and 80s was the best‼️
I’d go 1. Robinson 2. Armstrong 3. Langford 4. Greb 5. Ali
My top 5
1. Harry Greb
2. Sugar Ray Robinson
3. Sam Langford
4. Henry Armstrong
5. Willie Pep
I'll see your Hank and raise you one Walker Smith Jr. In 11 years before his first retirement, he went 128-1-2 with 84 KOs, and was undefeated as an amateur with 85-0 (or 87-0) and 69 KO's. He won his first 40 before losing to LaMotta, who he beat 5 of 6. He went on a 91 fight unbeaten streak..... and he beat Hank Armstrong. Hey, Armstrong was older, but Ray beat him easy in 10. If you include his amateur run up to his first pro loss, he went 125 - 0 (or 127-0). Look at the names on his record, that makes him a Hall of Famer a couple of times over. He was just that good, well spoken, stylish and a real raconteur and gentleman. He couldn't sing or dance that well, but it didn't stop him. :) Sugar Ray. The original. The term "pound for pound" was COINED for Ray Robinson..... OK, I'll stop now.
That’s a great way to put it hard to disagree with
Teddy, I've grew up on your ring side score card and narrative of the sport.
Post fight analysis
Muhammad Ali is THE G.O.A.T. 1love
Wrong. John Ruiz.
strategery101 wrong it's fraudily Harrison
Teddy. Where would you rank Sugar ray Robinson??
michael mooney ducker he ducked black murders row
Damn good argument..
worth noting he held those 3 titles at the same time. You aren't allowed to hold titles in multiple weight classes now because of that feat.
Joe Louis greatest fighter of all time....
Dappa don Deano I have him second after Sugar Ray Robinson. No one will ever be as good as Sugar Ray Robinson
Yeap
@@MuttonBiryani1994 cuz u say so..i got one for you..Samson..bammm
Orami Shygone That’s something alright! 😂
Always fun to hear TA talk pugilism! ❤️🧐🥳😎
Hey Teddy thanks for your input and commentary, as well as the way you
outline the path to your conclusions. I really appreciate how you try
your best to communicate your method of analysis to allow the listener
to see how you derive the conclusions you do from your perspective and
experience. I find your opinions well thought and really like the
approach you use to explain it analogies, metaphors, stories ect...
right, wrong or indifferent I do believe your opinions are well thought
out and your being honest believing what you say and that is Great. I
know you already said Henry Armstrong is the Goat but if you were to
reconsider Sugar Ray Robinson as an equation I would like to know if you
would still be as firm on Henry Armstrong or if you would maybe lean
Sugar Ray Robinson just over him? Either way I would not only like to
know but but I would also like to know what would make you edge one
maybe just slightly over the other love to here your thoughts just
curious?
Teddy is great to listen to
He not lying y’all. It was harder in our grandparents era. Just understand that asking across to the mall or to another state to visit family. No AC. Boxing I. Particular, 15 to 20 or more fights a year in 15 plus rounds!
Charley Burley is the 🐐
When Henry Armstrong was on his way to win another world title in his 4th weight division at a time where there were only 8 divisions, it was a Filipino fighter that broke that historic run and made sure that it didn't happen. Now, some 70+ years later, Manny Pacquiao, a Filipino, became the only boxer in history to win world titles in 4 of the 8 original 'glamour' divisions. (flyweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight)
On top of that, Pacquiao is also the oldest welterweight champion in history at 40 yrs old, which is a very underrated achievement considering the rich history of welterweights. And of course, Manny being the only octuple champion and the only fighter to win lineal titles in 5 divisions. Henry Armstrong, on the other hand, was believed to have declined after losing the welterweight crown to Fritzie Zivic when he was just 31 years old. He would have his last shot at a world title when he was just 31. So already, longer sustained peak and longevity belongs to Pacquiao if we compare their careers.
Some would argue that Henry's run was more valuable because there were only 8 world titles when he was fighting and he held 3 of them simultaneously. But, Manny Pacquiao in my opinion, even has a better argument because he actually won WORLD titles against fighters from different countries whereas Henry was mostly beating Americans at a time where boxing was largely still just an American sport. Not to mention, boxing had evolved to become more modern since Henry's reign with advancements in science, diet, nutrition, training, equipment etc. So although Hank was fighting more frequently, Pacquiao was fighting harder opponents on average.
Henry "Hurricane Hank" Armstrong had been consistently ranked as top 3 all time by most boxing historians and rightly so. Teddy Atlas today still considers him as the GOAT. However, it's been 8 years since Manny broke his records that were once thought as "unbreakable" but I've yet to see any legit "boxing historian" rank Manny higher than Armstrong.
What a long-winded gasbag!
You should fertilize a farm with all that horseshit. 🐎 💩
All the best! 👍
Manny would be a shitstain on Armstrong's trunks.
Armstrong>🩳 💩< Manny
I understand this pick but how can you not mention the true goat Ray Robinson??? This man was literally poetry in motion but also had a missle
It’s because Robinson (my favorite fighter) does not really have a lot of boxing accomplishments records that are on levels as someone like Mayweather like beating most world champions. BUT Sugar Ray Robinson in terms of Boxing skills has to be the greatest boxer I’ve ever seen I mean true Beautiful Brutality every technique was perfect of his with dazzling footwork , tremendous amount of Speed and Power in both hands and just the other little known facts about him having a winning streak of 128 Wins - 1 Loss with like 84 Knockouts and 1 kill (R.I.P Jimmy Doyle) at a point of time Unbelievable streak!
I mean I can go on about how amazing his career was but I just wish Ray Robinson had more great accomplishments like Beating more world champions or Having more Consecutive Title Defenses/world title wins hell maybe even being the oldest fighter in history to win a world championship breaking Bernard Hopkins record.
@@Lonelysportofboxing Those accomplishments that Floyd did couldn't have happened back then. There are 17 divisions and 4 world titles. Back then, there were 8 divisions and 2 world titles. Are you seriously saying that there can be up to 61 champions? Doesn't make sense.
"Today there's a champion for every letter of the alphabet." RIP Bert Sugar! 🙂