Who is the most accomplished boxer with a losing record?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flavius, Jul 22, 2026 at 12:06 AM.


  1. Flavius

    Flavius Member Full Member

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    Which boxer had the greatest career and achievements despite finishing with a losing record?
    What did he achieve?
     
  2. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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  3. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Francisco Quirez won the WBA light Flyweight world title and ended up with a losing record.

    I can't think of any other world champions who ended their career with losing records.
     
  4. GoldenHulk

    GoldenHulk Boxing Addict Full Member

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    One of my favorites Maurice Harris was pretty close 26-22-3, I think probably the best boxer with a that kind of a record.
     
  5. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Darnell Boone is quite notable in this regard.

    Knocked out Stevenson, gave Kovalev hell, beat Monroe Jr. although I remember Monroe Jr. saying he only trained in his garage for that fight with no sparring, although that’s not Boone’s fault.
     
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  6. META5

    META5 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Gonna cheat - Emmanuel Augustus didn't win more fights than fights that he didn't win.

    A very accomplished boxer, much better than his record suggests, and gave a very commendable performance against a younger Floyd.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2026 at 11:53 AM
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  7. Smokin Bert

    Smokin Bert Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Fearless Freddie Pendleton had a LOT of losses (Although ended with a winning record overall) But, he was able to hold a belt for a few defenses, and gave many good fighters plenty to handle.

    And, Marion Wilson may not have had many wins (Although he did draw with Ray Mercer), but, he fought a ton of elite Heavyweight punchers without ever suffering a knockout loss. I consider that a significant accomplishment.
     
    Last edited: Jul 22, 2026 at 9:15 AM
  8. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Although it wasn't a losing record Fritzie Zivic has more loses than most boxers have total bouts!
     
  9. Rubber Glove Sandwich

    Rubber Glove Sandwich 'Iranian flag green' reflecting pool Full Member

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    I stared at this sentence way too long to the point where I don' know if you're crazy or I'm crazy.

    "Didn't win more fights than he won"

    So he's winning fights right? We have established this as a thing Mr. Emmanuel Augustus is doing. That's good for him. HOWEVER, he's not winning all of his fights IN FACT he's won more fights than the amount of times he's winning. Maybe he's even better than we thought if he's won more fights than he's winning but maybe he's overrated because he's not winning as much fights as he's won.

    "Is he winning son? Well yes but not more than he's won, dad."

    Let me be clear Augustus is a winner but not a wonner. Or maybe he is a wonner if he's won more than win.
     
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  10. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Rudy Barro and Arturo Leon both secured high ratings after defeating notable contenders in 70's, but ended up with losing records.
     
  11. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Rico is the most significant .500 one.
     
  12. META5

    META5 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Haha,

    Good catch. He didn't win more fights than the fights that he didn't win.

    I think I thunk it but I didn't thank it cos it wasn't thonk.
     
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  13. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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  14. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    David Vedder was a light heavyweight who retired with a record of 23-25-5 and only had 3 KO wins. Pretty horrible.. But he beat notables in Sean Mannion, Uriah Grant , Ramzi Hassan, Samson Pouha, and Joe Lasisi while also taking many elite men the distance like Virgil Hill, Henry Maske, Jeff Harding, Dariusz M, Chris Byrd, Anaclet Wamba and others. In fact he challenged for world titles like 4-5 times which is crazy for a guy with his record.
     
  15. DirtyDan

    DirtyDan Worst Poster of 2015 Full Member

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    Although he didn't have a losing record, Leon Spinks (26 wins-3 draws-17 losses) was as accomplished a boxer as you can get with that record. Olympic Gold Medalist and Lineal Heavyweight champion.
     
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