Biggest height differences overcome when the heavyweight was under 6 feet tall

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dmt, Apr 9, 2025.


  1. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    What are the biggest height differences overcome by a heavyweight when the heavyweight who won was under 6 feet tall?

    I know Tyson is like 5'10 and defeated 6'6 Eddie Richardson which is like an 8 inch height difference.

    I wonder what the tallest opponent David Tua defeated was. I have read Tua listed as 5'10 but i highly doubt it. I think he was more like a 5'9.

    Does anyone have any other examples of a heavyweight under 6 feet tall defeating significantly taller opponents?
     
    dmt, Apr 9, 2025
    dmt, Apr 9, 2025
    #1
  2. SixesAndSevens

    SixesAndSevens Gator Wrestler Extraordinaire Full Member

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    Who was the biggest guy that Langford beat? That'd probably the answer to your question.
     
    SixesAndSevens, Apr 9, 2025
    SixesAndSevens, Apr 9, 2025
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  3. Bukkake

    Bukkake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    In 1985, 5'11" Randy Davis needed just one round to stop Tom Payne, who was 7'2" - a height difference of 15 inches!
     
    Bukkake, Apr 10, 2025
    Bukkake, Apr 10, 2025
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  4. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Langford v Andre Anderson and Bill Tate who were 6 ft 5 and 6 ft 6.
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2025
    HistoryZero26, Apr 10, 2025
    HistoryZero26, Apr 10, 2025
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  5. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Jesus christ!
     
    dmt, Apr 10, 2025
    dmt, Apr 10, 2025
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  6. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Sam was a freak
     
    dmt, Apr 10, 2025
    dmt, Apr 10, 2025
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  7. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Dempsey vs Willard maybe?
     
    MaccaveliMacc, Apr 10, 2025
    MaccaveliMacc, Apr 10, 2025
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  8. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    Good call though Jack was 6'1 i believe.
     
    dmt, Apr 10, 2025
    dmt, Apr 10, 2025
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  9. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I doubt this 15" discrepancy will be beaten.

    The closest I can think of, and even this is tenuous, was 5ft 1ins Barbados Joe Walcott overcoming a 14.5" height disadvantage to beat the 6ft 3.5ins Sandy Ferguson.

    The reason I say tenuous is both men agreed if the fight went the full 10 rounds it would be scored a draw, but iirc, BJW was reported to have had the better of the action.
     
    Greg Price99, Apr 10, 2025
    Greg Price99, Apr 10, 2025
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  10. The Undefeated Lachbuster

    The Undefeated Lachbuster On the Italian agenda Full Member

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    Rocky Marciano vs Johnny Shkor 5'11 vs 6'5 (6" difference)

    Tommy Loughran vs Ray Impelletiere 5'11.5 vs 6'7 (7.5" difference)

    Johnny Risko vs Victorio Campolo 5'10 vs 6'6 (8" difference)

    Mickey Walker vs Arthur De Kuh 5'7 vs 6'3 (8" difference) (Walker was a ranked heavyweight and weighed 175 so he was in fact a heavyweight here)

    Tony Galento vs Leonard Dixon 5'9 vs 6'7.5 (10.5" difference)


    Not a shorter heavyweight, but a very notable height discrepancy:

    Barbados Joe Walcott vs Sandy Fergussen 5'1.5 vs 6'3.5 (14" difference)


    I personally really don't regard height as an advantage in boxing unless it comes along with weight or reach. It genuinely might be a detriment on it's own.
     
    The Undefeated Lachbuster, Apr 10, 2025
    The Undefeated Lachbuster, Apr 10, 2025
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