L Andrade, good one, he beat R Steiglitz who went on to win a world title but didnt manage to win one himself when fighting against Kessler and Bute
Dude I'm 31 years old. Langford was fighting like a century ago, way before my time. Anything I know about him is just rumour and hearsay. I can only really comment with conviction on fighters whose careers I've seen unfold or those of the not too distant past of whom there's plenty of footage available.
Lucas Matthyse - Don't count interim belts David Tua Mikey Ward Does Montell Griffin's DQ title count? Bobby Pacquiao enjoyed a semi successful career due to riding off of the Pac name Was gonna say Sakio Bika but I forgot he won that vacant title couple weeks ago.
Griffin cant be included because he did own the world title. I was asking about fighters that had successful careers but didnt make it to the top, but did beat fighters who became world champs. R Munroe was a good example as he has had a good career and beat 2 fighters who became world champs in the division he was fighting in, but failed to become a world champ
it would be more accurate to say fighters who won 'a' belt world champion = champion of the world boxing blurs those lines to the extreme
Ken Norton, Only won the regional NABF belt. Came up short in all 3 World Title opportunties. He should have been mentioned before Tua....
Does Axl Schutlz count? He never beat a champ or soon to be champ on paper, but he should have gotten the nod in more than one occasion. They brought up the guy a couple of days ago of being one of the best HW's of the 90's but being on the wrong end of screwed up decisions and foul play.
I was taking the thread title literal as he didn't win the belt, it was awarded to him without a fight after Spinks was stripped for rematching Ali. Maybe some grey area there depending on what you are asking.
there have been fighters who won a belt who were considered gatekeepers :good 'world champion' in boxing is a loose term for most 'titlists'
Herol Mutha****in' Graham. Fantastic fighter who was better than any Middle/SuperMiddle of the last 30 years other than Calzaghe. And I'm even unsure about whether Joe was better.