Who are some of boxing's best 'nearly men'?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Bigplatts, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM.


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  1. Bigplatts

    Bigplatts Member Full Member

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    A few people on here have referred to Parker as a 'nearly man' since he lost to Wardley. I can see the case - he's now had very good losing efforts against Joshua, Whyte, Joyce and Wardley. He had good wins in between most of the losses, earned big fights, and went into the latter three as the favourite, only to lose in a good effort. But has Parker achieved too much to be a nearly man? He was champion after all and has some legit scalps.

    My definition of a nearly man would be someone like Craig Richards. He looked very good on the domestic scene and was hyped for big things. He lost a close fight to Frank Buglioni on one day's notice; it was easy to assume with a full training camp he would've won. He beat Shakan Pitters for the British title then lost to Bivol, but it was one of the tougher fights of Bivol's career. If he was that good against Bivol could be beat everyone not named Bivol or Beterbiev? He then gave Joshua Buatsi a very tough fight but came up short. This led him to be the favourite against Willy Hutchinson. But again... he didn't deliver. But he did win the last couple rounds and had Hutchinson hurt towards the end. He's back in the winning column after he knocked out Padraig McCrory. He's better than domestic or gatekeeper level, and has gotten a title shot and some other big fights, and he always gives the top guys tough fights, but he never does enough to win.

    Who are the nearliest nearly men in boxing? Active fighters and historically. Who is the nearly goat?
     
    Bigplatts, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
    Bigplatts, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
    #1
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  2. Locked-Crazy41

    Locked-Crazy41 New Member Full Member

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    Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz
     
    Locked-Crazy41, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
    Locked-Crazy41, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:17 PM
    #2
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  3. MidniteProwler

    MidniteProwler Fab 4. Mayor of Aussie Boxing Full Member

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    I believe Tim Tszyu was on his way to being a serious force and the cut in the first Fundora fight changed everything.
     
    MidniteProwler, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
    MidniteProwler, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:22 PM
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  4. BubblesUK

    BubblesUK Doesn't buy hypejobs Full Member

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    Chisora.

    He's fought basically everyone who was interested, and even though he lost plenty... He was always competitive and always gave opponents a tough time.

    Everyone puts him down as the definitive gatekeeper (and in many ways he is) and yet he's been better than many who were hyped up to be much, much more.
     
    BubblesUK, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
    BubblesUK, Oct 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
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  5. TNSNO1878

    TNSNO1878 Active Member Full Member

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    David Tua & Ibeabuchi
    Jack Catterall as well, given the magnitude of the fight he was robbed in and how his career has panned out since, including that close loss to Barboza.
     
    TNSNO1878, Oct 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
    TNSNO1878, Oct 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
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  6. like a boss

    like a boss Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Kali Meehan

    Was 29-1 when he lost a contested split decision against reigning WBO title holder Lamon Brewster. The judges had it razor close but most who watched it thought Meehan won fairly comfortably. Meehan fought Brewster in the US with an American referee and two American judges. The 3rd was a Puerto Rican.

    Meehan also fought Rahman , Joseph Parker, Chagaev, Danny Williams (before his decline) - to name a few.
     
    like a boss, Oct 28, 2025 at 4:53 PM
    like a boss, Oct 28, 2025 at 4:53 PM
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  7. MagnificentMatt

    MagnificentMatt Beterbiev literally kills Plant and McCumby 2v1 Full Member

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    Both Luis Collazo and Joshua Clottey seemed to fit this bill around the same era at WW.

    Collazo arguably beat Hatton, fought a good bout against Mosley, and even had a decent comeback run years later dropping a prospect or two. Clottey had a heck of a fight Margarito and Cotto… Was happy to get paid vs Pac and never the same again it seems though.
     
    MagnificentMatt, Oct 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
    MagnificentMatt, Oct 28, 2025 at 5:22 PM
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  8. peter_uk

    peter_uk Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Herol Graham no doubt.
     
    peter_uk, Oct 28, 2025 at 6:43 PM
    peter_uk, Oct 28, 2025 at 6:43 PM
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  9. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

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    Rocky Juarez
    Edison Miranda
     
    KO KIDD, Oct 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
    KO KIDD, Oct 28, 2025 at 7:15 PM
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  10. Dangerwood84

    Dangerwood84 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Andrew Golota has got to be a poster child in this category.
     
    Dangerwood84, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:45 PM
    Dangerwood84, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:45 PM
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  11. Dangerwood84

    Dangerwood84 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Not only the Fundora saga but before that. He got played along by Charlo. He was very close to being undisputed if he had gotten at Charlo.
     
    Dangerwood84, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:48 PM
    Dangerwood84, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:48 PM
    #11
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  12. Dangerwood84

    Dangerwood84 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Michael Katsidis.
     
    Dangerwood84, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:48 PM
    Dangerwood84, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:48 PM
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  13. Dangerwood84

    Dangerwood84 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Edwin Valero but for different reasons of course.
     
    Dangerwood84, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:49 PM
    Dangerwood84, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:49 PM
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  14. MidniteProwler

    MidniteProwler Fab 4. Mayor of Aussie Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah that is true I think at the time Tim was red hot going into the Harrison fight and that is why Charlo ducked him. I was fully confident that Tszyu would have beaten Charlo at that time.
     
    MidniteProwler, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
    MidniteProwler, Oct 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
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  15. like a boss

    like a boss Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Great example. Even with a huge heart like his he found his ceiling.
     
    like a boss, Oct 28, 2025 at 11:30 PM
    like a boss, Oct 28, 2025 at 11:30 PM
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