Most boxers who are rushed to titles don't fare well in the long run: perfect example being Leon Spinks, who was 6-0-1 when he beat Muhammad Ali but wasn't able to maintain his status as a world-class guy over the long haul. Evander Holyfield beat Dwight Qawi for the cruiserweight title in his 12th fight, I believe, and cleaned out that division -- he might be the best cruiser of all time -- before becoming a dominant heavyweight for a long period. Saensak Muangsurin won the title WBC 140-pound title in his third fight (although he gets an asterisk of sorts because he was an accomplished Muay Thai fighter before turning to boxing, so he wasn't as green as his pro experience would suggest). He won the title, lost it via DQ, won it back and made seven defenses ... and while he never recaptured that championship form after his 3 years on top, he would have to be considered a success. Other than these guys, are there any others who won a title in 12 fights or less who actually had great careers over the long haul? Or were they all flash-in-the-pan types?
Pretty sure Jeff Fenech won in almost record time the IBF Bantamweight title. Yep just checked it, he knocked out Satoshi Shingaki in just his SEVENTH fight
For his part, Shingaki won the title in his 8th pro fight (and that wasn't his first title shot), by KO'ing a guy in his 12th pro fight! I wonder what's the least combined experience two fighters in a title fight have had.
Good call. Jeff definitely competed for quite a while at the very top level and was no flash in the pan.
Not on the same level, but Michael Moorer grabbed a version of the light heavyweight title, all be it the WBO, in his first year as a pro.
I didn't realise that he was also the first WBO light heavyweight champion, that plays down the accomplishment even more atsch
Yoko Gushiken was 8-0 when he challenged and won the Jr. Fly title and went on to defend his title 14 times. I would call that a success.
..they may have become great fighters later, but there is no such thing as a great fighter with just a dozen fights..
Funny one that because I followed his career at the time and was highly impressed. I never expected him to lose it to Pedro Flores who on the face of it didn't look that special.
:huh:huh You obviously judge greatness on resume, and longevity, as opposed to sheer ability. What makes you so sure you are right? Back in 76 a kid went back to Murica with a gold medal he won in Montreal, he was touted as great almost immediately, making his debut for more than 40,000 dollars in Feb 77. There were probably world title holders in the lower weights back then fighting for not much more. So no, greatness is not measured on resume, or longevity alone. By the way I am not a Leonard fan, I am merely pointing out how greatness can be perceived.
.....okay, let's take this great one in his first twelve fights. has he faced a southpaw? i mean a good one. has he faced a strong, iron chinned unorthodox fighter. . like gene fullmer? has he faced a swarmer? has he faced a quick,fast fighter with a great chin....like kid gavilan? has he faced a smart veteran, also with a great chin....like billy graham? let's just put him in with a few of those, as listed above. will he have seen enough of them to call upon what he has learned in his career to beat them? if he gets hurt by a punch will he know how to protect himself until his head clears? ....in twelve fights? why am i so sure i'm right? following boxing for decades and using common sense.
De La Hoya won a WBO strap in his 12th (though it wasn't as valued back then), Sung Kil Moon did it in his 7th, and I suspect Guillermo Rigondeaux and Vasyl Lomachenko will be additions. Yuri Arbachakov misses out by one fight.
