It wasnt a massive amount of time after beating C Johnson that Graham fought Brewer and I think starie would have beaten Graham at that time
McAvoy went to the States and knocked out the world middleweight champion Babe Risko in the 1st round. Thinking he went there to fight for the title they told him at the last minute that it was a non title fight and above the limit! Obviously he was never offered a rematch. Instead he had to return to the States and and fight for the World Light Heavyweight title instead giving a very good champion John Henry Lewis a helluva fight before going down on points. If ever a man deserved a world title it was McAvoy
Henry Cooper, apart from cutting like paper and having only one hand he was a very effective boxer and in another time could have won a world title.
Look at Alan Rudkin fought in an era when there were ATG bantamweights to beat to win a world title. First he had to go to Tokyo to fight the legendary Fighting Harada and gave him a helluva fight before losing a close 15 rounds decision. Next he had to go Melbourne to fight another great champion in Lionel Rose losing another 15 round decision in a fight many thought he had won. He really got the short straw in his 3rd and last attempt going to LA to fight probably the most destructive Bantamweight ever in Ruben Olivares being blasted out in 2 rounds there really was no disgrace in that, and a few years earlier Rudkin would probably have gave him a tougher fight. Once again a fighter who deserved a title.
Cooper's problem was getting knocked out and outpointed. Although remembered for the cuts, it was only the two Ali fights that cuts were the cause of a defeat in the last dozen or so years in 'enry's career. Maybe the left hook wins him some alphabet title at 200lbs in 90s; maybe...
He totally dazzled Vinny Paz, who had just made Roy Jones work and had beat Duran. Herol was 15 years past his best at this point. The most avoided fighter I can think of. Even Hagler wanted nothing of him, vacated when Bomber was mandated in '86. The '86 Graham stands the '86 Hagler well and truly on his head.
