Could Don Cockell Beat Any Post 1960 Heavyweight Champions?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by ThatOne, Feb 17, 2025.

  1. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2022
    Messages:
    6,371
    Likes Received:
    8,740
    Please discuss. Thank you.
     
  2. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    Messages:
    6,483
    Likes Received:
    5,664
    I wouldn’t pick him against any way before that also, maybe some of the really early guys, but that’s it.
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  3. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2022
    Messages:
    7,040
    Likes Received:
    8,703
    I don’t think Don Cockell beats any lineal champion in any era
     
    mcvey likes this.
  4. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2024
    Messages:
    4,791
    Likes Received:
    4,205
    No.

    Better question is if he could beat any post 1960 Commonwealth HW champs.

    The only lineal champs he should be favored against are the 19th century guys. He'd have a shot with Hart or Burns but wouldn't pick him.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2025
  5. ThatOne

    ThatOne Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2022
    Messages:
    6,371
    Likes Received:
    8,740
    How about Richard Dunn and Brian London?
     
  6. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2024
    Messages:
    4,791
    Likes Received:
    4,205
    No. Dunn was 6 ft 3 and fought in the 70s. London was a multiple time world title contender who retired Ingo. Sure the punch was a hail mary he survived the whole fight with Ingo to be able to deliever it.

    McAlinden and maybe Bunny Johnson? After that its hard to find a win. Frankly pre 1960 he loses to way more of the CW HW champs than he beats.
     
    ThatOne likes this.
  7. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2014
    Messages:
    27,775
    Likes Received:
    37,148
    No, but I think we should remember he started out at Middle.
     
  8. The Undefeated Lachbuster

    The Undefeated Lachbuster On the Italian agenda Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2018
    Messages:
    4,900
    Likes Received:
    7,574
    Has an okay shot against Leon Spinks, outside of that nah
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta likes this.
  9. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2014
    Messages:
    8,273
    Likes Received:
    7,017
    Against some of the weaker champions yes.

    I wouldn’t pick Cockell over any of the great champions between the 60’s to now such as Ali and other champions of his caliber.

    However, between the great champions during this period there were a lot of not so great guys that managed to pick up a strap, so against the weaker belt holders like Tate, Weaver, Dokes, Bonecrusher Smith, Coetzee, Charles Martin, John Ruiz, Andy Ruiz, Povetkin, Lucas Brown, Berbick, Peter, etc... Cockell with his ring experience could definitely pick up some wins.
     
  10. newurban99

    newurban99 Active Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2010
    Messages:
    1,251
    Likes Received:
    1,964
    Don Cockell was crazy. How else to explain fighting Rocky Marciano with a bad kidney?
     
    Jackomano likes this.
  11. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2006
    Messages:
    97,745
    Likes Received:
    29,126
    Many Heavyweight Champs did.
    Fitzsimmons
    Burns
    Johnson
    Dempsey
    Tunney
    Schmeling
    Charles
    Walcott
    Patterson
    Ellis
    M Spinks

    So what's the significance of it?
     
    Reinhardt likes this.
  12. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2014
    Messages:
    27,775
    Likes Received:
    37,148
    Those are exceptional fighters.
     
  13. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 4, 2016
    Messages:
    14,013
    Likes Received:
    19,075

    Excellent as usual,,tip of the hat.
     
    mcvey likes this.
  14. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2024
    Messages:
    4,791
    Likes Received:
    4,205
    He was in the smallest era when feats at that level meant the least.

    Also theres a difference from being a MW as a debutant who grows out of it then being an actual MW. Where that difference lies is kind of a grey area but its there.
     
    mcvey likes this.
  15. RockyJim

    RockyJim Boxing Addict Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2005
    Messages:
    5,239
    Likes Received:
    2,435
    He took a savage beating from Marciano in May 1955...he never quit...unlike Liston!
     
    Jackomano likes this.