Champions / Contenders Who Weren't Considered Prospects (post-1970)

Well, Rocky Balboa comes to mind (g).

Seriously, I’ll start with Mike Weaver.

Kelvin Seabrooks was 19-13, basically a trial horse, win-one/lose-one kinda guy. Two fights later he was wearing an IBF bantamweight title belt.

 

Mike Weaver, Jersey Joe Walcott, Joe Jeannette, Teddy Yarosz, James J Braddock, Lloyd Marshall, Battling Nelson (?), etc

 

From '70 on a couple that come to mind are Harry Arroyo and Tony Lopez. I don't know how successful they were as amateurs - I never heard of them but I didn't keep my nose as close to the unpaids as much as the pros - but when they burst onto the scene I can say unequivocally that I never heard of them. Harry broke in with a win over Robin Blake and was fighting for the world title in his next fight. As for Tony, when he was fighting Rocky Lockridge for the title, I was just thinking, "who is this?"

 

Canadian perspective. Donny Lalonde was not considered good enough to challenge for the Canadian Light-heavyweight title. Practically had to beg to get that opportunity. Was considered a one armed fighter due to an old hockey injury limiting his jab/left hand. Slowly improved and got an opportunity to challenge for the vacant WBC title. Tremendous right hand puncher who finally developed a jab and left hook to go along with his natural gift. Was able to win the title against Eddie Davis and defend it against Leslie Stewart (both knockouts) which lead to a huge fight against Sugar Ray Leonard. I would also put forward Arturo Gatti. His brother Joe was considered the prospect in the beginning of their careers. Eric Lucas was considered a very average amateur fighter and not much of a pro prospect. As a pro he kept slowly improving and outlasted much more touted stablemate Stephane Ouellet to win a WBC Super Middleweight title. Nobody would've predicted that at the outset of their careers.

 

Saoul Mamby

 

Freddie Pendleton probably counts here.
How about Keith Mullings?

 

James Bonecrusher Smith

Mike Weaver

Vincent Pettway- He was somewhat of a big deal in Maryland (Baltimore area) but that was about it.

 

Darryl Pinckney, Freddie Pendleton, Emanuel Augustus.

 

Well, it isn't like Braddock was an unknown. He had an extensive amateur career, was a leading contender for the lhw title and fought for that title. Prior to challenging the HW champ, he defeated 3 top ten contenders.

 

Just thought of a good American example: Prince Charles Williams. Late bloomer who gave Marvin Johnson an unexpectedly tough fight. Marvin sort of took him under his wing and he really blossomed. He went onto a fairly long run as IBF Light-heavyweight champ, making many successful defenses. He could've easily been a career trial horse type if not for some good breaks and hard work.

 

Was Pipino Cuevas ever really considered a prospect? Seems like he was barely on anyone's radar for most of his early career.

 

I couple of WBOgue lads from the other side of the pond possibly fall into this category: Johnny 'The Entertainer' Nelson and Steve Robinson.

 

When he came to upset Bomber, he was hyped in the UK as a prospect; albeit probably just those journalists sweet with Lawless and prepared to help sell the 'on paper' uncompetitive match.