Top 10 greatest cherrypickers of all time

Chris Eubank.

Scartissue's post too, his understanding is always balanced an objective, good list Sir.

 

Chuck, that second bout took place 16 months (not 14) after his loss to DeJesus. Why? Joe Brown lost a non-title to Johnny Busso and gave him an immediate rematch for the title. Jimmy Carter lost to Art Aragon over 10 and gave him an immediate rematch for the title. Bud Smith got his arse absolutely kicked by Joe Brown and gave him an immediate rematch for the title. These guys were not cherry-picking. And to be clear, I would say if it was up to Duran he would have given DeJesus an immediate rematch, but my claim here is that it was his management who were the cherry-pickers. I said that in my original post. And also to be clear, although after finally venturing out of Panama, he still defended against crap. C'mon, Leoncio Ortiz, Alvaro Rojas, Masa Takayama, Lou Bizarro. Club fighters and fringe contenders at best. I rate Duran as the greatest lightweight of all time, but his management were cherry-pickers and belong on this list.

 

It may be that Roberto Duran's management was more selective about matching their fighter than many people thought was fair, but they don't come close to being on the Top 10 list of cherrypickers in boxing history. I would also say that Leoncio Ortiz and Lou Bizarro are far from being the worst fighters who ever fought in world title bouts. However, Alvaro Rojas was pathetic.

I saw Duran fight Esteban De Jesus (the last two of the three bouts), Ray Lampkin, Ortiz, Bizarro, Rojas and Javier Muniz on television. Lampkin may not have been a great or outstanding fighter, but still was a good one and a solid contender. He was absolutely terrific during the first half of the bout with Duran, but eventually was worn down and sustained a critical brain injury which put him in the hospital. It appears that the effects of the brain injury stayed with Lampkin, who was extremely ineffective in his bouts after fighting Duran.

- Chuck Johnston

 

Foreman ducked Tyson? You have got to be kidding! Foreman was publicly calling out Tyson during his entire 2nd career! (example: on David Letterman show after his destruction of Cooney--look it up on youtube)

I will say that once he won the belts from Moorer his was past his 2nd career best and was wise enough to know it. The guy was 45 years old at that point. I do think that around 1990-1992 he was willing to fight anyone and would have taken on Lewis or Bowe at that point had they been around.

 

I presume we are talking about champions.

Jack Johnson - Skirted the top 4-5 best as champion. 5 Cherrys

Roy Jones -Never fought DM or anyone dangerous until they were past it. 4 cherry's

F Mayweather - Will not take a dangerous fight. 4 cherry's

 

I think this is a bit harsh.

Of course he timed fights to suit himself.

Yes, he demanded rules with Hagler. But don't forget he hadn't fought for three years, and he'd never fought at MW before.

Don't also forget that he was advised to retire.

He was never going to be a full time fighter after his 87 comeback.

He deserves credit.

Try and picture someone like Floyd, if he'd have been in Ray's position.

Ray fought a peak Tommy Hearns.

He fought Benitez, Hagler and Duran etc.

Yes, he liked to call the shots.

He had a huge ego, and loved to be in control.

But he fought the best, and you have to respect that.

 

Seven defences isn't a lot though, and you've said it was his management.

 

Fights aren't always easy to make.

Roy had no intentions of going to Germany to fight DM, and DM had no intentions of going to the U.S. to fight Roy.

I suppose Ruiz and Tarver weren't dangerous and were past it, for a mid 30's Roy?

 

I forgot some obvious mentions: Holmes, Bowe and Foreman (second reign).

 

Johnson and Jones both failed to fight the top guys in their division. Johnson by blatant ducking.

But Mayweather? I still can't an answer to which top rival in his division he didn't face, besides Pac. And that isn't a rhetorical question, but out of curiosity.

 

Jones missing Dariusz and Maske is worse than Floyd not fighting Margarito, Williams and Pacquiao?

 

Jack Johnson is probably the best candidate actually.