The best HW never to hold the lineal title.

:-(

Please answer the question.

 

Brigg was never recognised as Ring champ but was recognised as lineal champ. Jones was never recognised as lineal champ but was recognised as Ring champ. The two are not one and the same.

Forget my label. Out of all of those who never beat a lineal champion, nor won a match featuring 1vs2, who is the best ever HW in your opinion.

 

I haven't seen many of them fight.

Wills strikes me as a Ruiz type fighter but clearly a higher level. Stands to reason he'd be a top 5 mainstay in any era.

Langford has the talent but someone of the stature of Tyson being a counter puncher in the pocket, gonna be hard to succeed against more modern fighters.

McVey was a bit of a wrecking ball who could be found wanting if the opponent stood up to his power and there's been plenty of those types through the years.

I don't low enough about Godfrey, Jackson or Jeannette to comment on their styles.


Any of those would you make a favourite over Vitali in a 12 round bout?

 

Norton has a good style to beat Vitali though so it's got me thinking.

 

It held up against Ali and Holmes. Just not the brutish sluggers like ****ey and Foreman.

 

No, Byrd was number 2.

 

No, Byrd was number 2.

 

But I'm not talking greatness. I'm literally talking best. Most everyone being discussed have legitimate reasons for not gaining lineage.

Spoon got the short end of a close decision
Norton was denied a fight with Spins
Vitali wouldn't face his brother
Colour line was drawn.
Tua just wasn't good enough.

Not sure how that relates to the thread question though.