Apparently Hearns fought 21 past, present or future champs during his career. Has anyone fought more?
You're going to have to get pretty specific about whether or not you are going with linear only or all four majors accepted now, or if you don't count WBO, or WBO only past a certain point, etc, I think, Lun. Because that alters the numbers quite a bit. With all the four majors that are counted now, Holy and Barrera are quite high, for instance. Only going with Linear and it radically alters the list. Then there's for different champions and just how many different matches. Then there's NYSAC and some of the names that came in before what we know now...gets messy, mate. Counting four sanctioning bodies, he's had 20 victories over 19 champions and all six losses to champs, I believe. As strongly matched as any modern fighter has been, I'd say.
very impressive. Tommy does not get the credit for his career he should and for the legends he beat. Cuevas,Benitez,Duran, and Hall of Famer Virgil Hill. And all those guys were champions when he beat them.
Your talking 4 or 5 bodies. Let's get more sensible and talk lineal or no more than two bodies. I was always impressed with Jose Monon Gonzalez in the 60's and 70's. I believe he fought eight (from welter thru Lt. heavy) Probably more guys out there with more.
...if we're talking legit champions it's either jimmy bivins ore lloyd marshall......they are one and two but i don't recall in which order. this is n reply to the who's fought, not who's beaten the most.....althugh they each had wins over quite a few champions...
i think you should only count traditionally traceable lineal champs OR a win over the highest ranked fighter in the division since the inception of the ibf (i.e. over khan or over pac now or over hill etc.)
...all of the fighters other than marshall or bivins mentioned on this thread held world titles. neither lloyd nor bivins ever even got a SHOT at a title.