Historical Standing of Four-Time Heavyweight Title Challengers?

I think if we'd had four belts over the last, say, 100 years, there'd be a lot more guys who fought for a "major belt" four times but who would never win one.

 

I don't know... most champions fight twice a year these days. And many times in the last 20 years someone has held at least two belts, so that reduces the number of opportunities. Many times, once a guy gets his shot and loses, that's it for him. He may pull himself back into contention and get a second shot. But like you say, four titles shots are rare, just by the nature of boxing.

Golota got himself into contention with the Bowe fights, then did well enough (and brought enough fans to the arena) to secure shots against Byrd and Ruiz, then did well enough in those fights to earn that fourth shot against Brewster.

Botha actually won a title on his first try, but of course had it (and the title winning bout itself) taken away from him for testing positive. I think the Lewis and Klitschko shots were "keep busy against a safe opponent" affairs, sort of like Alfredo Evangelista getting two title shots despite not really doing anything to earn them. I think McCline was in the same position by title shots three and four.

One of the many downsides of having four world champions is a need for challengers to make fights. So often a guy who really doesn't deserve it gets multiple shots based on having a bit of a name and the need to fill the cards.

Jersey Joe Walcott lost his first four title shots, by the way, but of course won the title on his fifth try.