George fought from 1949-1970. There were quite a few champs during those years: 1949-1950: Jake LaMotta 1951: Sugar Ray Robinson 1951: Randy Turpin 1951-1952: Sugar Ray Robinson 1953-1955: Carl Olson 1955-1957: Sugar Ray Robinson 1957: Gene Fullmer 1957: Sugar Ray Robinson 1957-1958: Carmen Basilio 1958-1959: Sugar Ray Robinson 1959-1962: Paul Pender and Gene Fullmer 1962-1963: Dick Tiger 1963-1965: Joey Giardello 1965-1966: Dick Tiger 1966-1967: Emile Griffith 1967: Nino Benvenuti 1967-1968: Emile Griffith 1968-1970: Nino Benvenuti 1970: Carlos Monzon Which one would have made for the best fight? Could George have won any of those fights? Personally, I would watch Benton vs. anybody, but would probably prefer if he fought Robinson, Tiger, or Griffith, especially since he would have been in his prime.
Definitely could squeak a few wins out of the list of those names. All I know is that I'd love to watch the aesthetic of SRR vs Benton, even if potentially one-sided.
Never thought about this but I’m pretty sure all of those guys beat Benton? don’t know much about Nino or Giardello, need to watch more Turpin to.
