Tommy Burns: Where does he rate among HW Greats

[ben41193]

He is near the bottom of the list.

[SABBATH]

As yet another Canadian who was quite high on DeWitt's prospects, I think that fight hurt me just as much as it did DeWitt, because at the time I envisioned DeWitt at least grabbing an alpha title, and truthfully I thought we'd eventually see him face Tyson in one of the potential bigger money fights from the division at that time...

Wishful thinking, I know, and who would've thunk DeWitt incapable of blocking a simple right hand.

I have a boxing magazine buried somewhere in my basement profiling the upcoming 1984 Olympics and Dewitt was touted quite highly and there was mention of him possibly meeting American hopeful Mike Tyson in the gold medal fight.

Call me a Canadian pessimist but I was never high on either Dewitt or Shawn O'Sullivan, his silver medalist counterpart. I sat at ringside and watched O'Sullivan 'KO' Tomas Garcia with a punch I swore missed by a foot. Donavan Boucher fought on the undercard and looked ten times more impressive to these eyes and it was no surprise to me anyway when Boucher obliterated O'Sullivan when they finally fought.

As for Dewitt, the Ken Lakusta war was all I needed to see to dismiss Willie as a potential contender Jackie McCoy or no Jackie McCoy.

One thing I'll say though. There is nothing more brutal than seeing a mediocre white Canadian guy getting blasted by a superior black American. Leonard-Lalonde, Cooper-DeWitt and O'Sullivan-Brown. Ouch. That's why we should stick to hockey and curling.

[QueensburyRules]

A light heavyweight fight between Langford & Burns would have been interesting, and if it needed a title or two on the line, then what the hell...put Langford's Federation Francaise de Boxe or his National Sporting Club versions of the "world" light heavyweight title up for grabs (Langford also held the NSC "world" heavyweight title) in the fight.

- -You shush now lest Weensie finds out.

Burns willing to fight JJ but went squawkin' from Sam.

[Marchegiano]

Something like 14 defenses at HW. Was actually a MW and the only thing that spots him from joining Roy and Bob is he became the HW champion before getting to the MW title. It's like if Canelo went MW contender, no MW title, then reigning as HW champion, alone, for teens in defenses. I'm inclined to call the man an ATG, p4p.

[The Old LefHook]

Could Burns even whip Dwight Braxton, Eddie Gregory or Matt Franklin?

[Ben Bolt]

He was good for his time

I like this 2007 quote.

I assume boxing has developed a bit the last 100 years.
Burns had the tools to make a name of himself in the early 20th century.

[QueensburyRules]

Could Burns even whip Dwight Braxton, Eddie Gregory or Matt Franklin?

- -They didn't hold the title he wanted, JJ did now and Burns made repeated rematch offers that were rebuffed.

[Dr. Z]

nope.

He fought and beat men bigger than him in his day, but still most of these guys were below 200 lbs and often under 6ft. He was good for his time but I can't see him lasting in the division beyond the 1930's.

About how I see it. Burns, when he lost the title was 168 pounds and stood about 5'7" tall. Good for his time, essentially he was a super middleweight without a big punch.

History will never see a man with these dimensions become heavyweight champion again.

IMO, a few others could have beaten him. Johnson got to him first. Initially Burns was supposed to fight Sam McVey. That would have been a good one. Sam Langford would have beaten Burns. Possibly Jeannette.

[travestyny]

It's often said that some Black heavyweights didn't get a crack at the title back in the day because of "the times."


I'm happy Tommy Burns found himself to be fighting in a time when it was so acceptable to give a Black heavyweight a crack at the title.

[Dr. Z]

I have a boxing magazine buried somewhere in my basement profiling the upcoming 1984 Olympics and Dewitt was touted quite highly and there was mention of him possibly meeting American hopeful Mike Tyson in the gold medal fight.

Call me a Canadian pessimist but I was never high on either Dewitt or Shawn O'Sullivan, his silver medalist counterpart. I sat at ringside and watched O'Sullivan 'KO' Tomas Garcia with a punch I swore missed by a foot. Donavan Boucher fought on the undercard and looked ten times more impressive to these eyes and it was no surprise to me anyway when Boucher obliterated O'Sullivan when they finally fought.

As for Dewitt, the Ken Lakusta war was all I needed to see to dismiss Willie as a potential contender Jackie McCoy or no Jackie McCoy.

One thing I'll say though. There is nothing more brutal than seeing a mediocre white Canadian guy getting blasted by a superior black American. Leonard-Lalonde, Cooper-DeWitt and O'Sullivan-Brown. Ouch. That's why we should stick to hockey and curling.

i do think Sam Langford and Larry Gains, both of whom should have received a title shots are Canadian. If we have to go modern, pick Chuvalo. Or Kirk Johnson who Lewis tried to make a match with pre and post V Klitschko. How do Canadians view Lennox Lewis?

On Dewitt, he could box, he was just a little small for heavyweight and needed better match making Wille was too smart, and had other options. Better off at the modern cruiser limits ( 200 ) I think. .

Lakusta is a cult hero of sorts. No he wasn't very good, but he did rock George Foreman.