Miguel Cotto: Has the lineal champ ever had any less of a claim to being No.1?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by the_bigunit, Oct 20, 2015.


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  1. the_bigunit

    the_bigunit Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Miguel Cotto is the lineal middleweight champion, but with Gennady Golovkin's resume filling up with contenders, I ask:

    Has there ever been a lineal champ with less of a claim to being the No. 1 fighter in their division?

    Thanks.
     
    the_bigunit, Oct 20, 2015
    the_bigunit, Oct 20, 2015
    #1
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Red Cochrane ruled at a time when Sugar Ray was rampant. Burley too was in that division. There are other examples.

    But the definitive one may be Johnny Wilson. That as a long reign.
     
    McGrain, Oct 20, 2015
    McGrain, Oct 20, 2015
    #2
  3. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Byrd after his win over Vitali
     
    Webbiano, Oct 20, 2015
    Webbiano, Oct 20, 2015
    #3
  4. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Sorry I had to. It pains me to say, but Ken Norton Norton is close to Cotto
     
    Webbiano, Oct 20, 2015
    Webbiano, Oct 20, 2015
    #4
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Neither Byrd nor Norton were lineal.
     
    McGrain, Oct 20, 2015
    McGrain, Oct 20, 2015
    #5
  6. Webbiano

    Webbiano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Right you are. I'll take Schmelling winning on a foul, Off the top of my head I can't offer anything below the heavyweight division to this discussion.
     
    Webbiano, Oct 20, 2015
    Webbiano, Oct 20, 2015
    #6
  7. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    DM ruled during Jones Jr's tenure.

    The biggest one ever though, by a landslide, had to be then two knockout fighters who fought half a pound above the limit.

    Was it Zamora vs Gomez? Gomez bladders him but Zamora remains lineal.

    Cotto could beat Canelo and have a clearly better MW resume than Golovkin so this isn't as big a deal as other times have been.
     
    lufcrazy, Oct 20, 2015
    lufcrazy, Oct 20, 2015
    #7
  8. Jear

    Jear Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Shannon Briggs was Lineal Champ while Lewis and Holyfield held the alphabet titles
     
    Jear, Oct 20, 2015
    Jear, Oct 20, 2015
    #8
  9. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Gomez "bladders" Zarate, not Zamora,...yet, as you say, Zamora remained linear after Zarate bladdered him.
     
    red cobra, Oct 20, 2015
    red cobra, Oct 20, 2015
    #9
  10. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    I nominate Michael Spinks.
     
    red cobra, Oct 20, 2015
    red cobra, Oct 20, 2015
    #10
  11. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Wilson will be hard to top. He actually took a ten count while he was champion and was saved by his stooge referee. Whatever you say about Cotto, he isn't as bad as that.
     
    Berlenbach, Oct 20, 2015
    Berlenbach, Oct 20, 2015
    #11
  12. N_ N___

    N_ N___ Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ancient Foreman was also a mockery of a lineal champ, not just on ability but also for avoidance of the best fighters. At least Shannon dutifully got his ass kicked by Lewis.
     
    N_ N___, Oct 20, 2015
    N_ N___, Oct 20, 2015
    #12
  13. Bukkake

    Bukkake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The obvious answer is of course Al McCoy - who during his 3½ year reign lost no less than 22 times!
     
    Bukkake, Oct 20, 2015
    Bukkake, Oct 20, 2015
    #13
  14. Sangria

    Sangria You bleed like Mylee Full Member

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    Briggs takes the cake. He won the mythical title from a Foreman who avoided the top challengers and yet shouldn't have even beaten Foreman. Add this to the fact I don't even consider Briggs as lineal champion.
     
    Sangria, Oct 20, 2015
    Sangria, Oct 20, 2015
    #14
  15. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Samuel Serrano was lineal at 130 lbs, but Arguello was clearly better at the weight during the 70's.
     
    Drew101, Oct 20, 2015
    Drew101, Oct 20, 2015
    #15
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