I concede he was feather-fisted and did not have a fan-pleasing style, but Jimmy Young beat George Foreman, Ron Lyle twice, and basically fought Ali and Norton on even terms (some would say better than even). Not bad.
Steve McCrory. Won Olympic gold medal and Steward said he was the best boxer out of the Kronk Gym but he came up short in his two title shots.
Those who have won minor titles are not considered "world champions," as is the case today and in the past. On the internet you'll find many journalistic articles claiming that Sam Langford was never a world champion (he's probably the greatest uncrowned king in boxing history), and you can also verify this on boxrec. But, as I always say in these cases, if you prefer to think of Langford as a world champion I have no problem with that. Have a nice evening.
Fought Jeff Fenech. I remember it as a kid. Very hyped title defense for Fenech as McCrory won the gold at the 84 LA Games where Fenech was perceived to have been robbed in the Qtr finals. So McCrory was billed as having Fenechs gold medal (rightly or wrongly). I would say, he along with Jerome Coffee gave Fenech the two toughest fights of his early pro career. Fenech won both fights commandingly but McCrory had his moments at one point.
Sam Langford Charley Burley Alexander Povetkin Sergey Derevyanchenko Ike Ibeabuchi Special mention to Georgie Abrams, Steve Belloise, Robert Villemain and Laurent Dauthuille.
Agree that Langford is known as the GOAT in this subject ( not winning a world title ). Joe Bugner could get a mention also. Held the very lightly regarded WBF title but one of the more skilled heavyweights to not win a title, he had stiff opposition.