What Are the 5 best Woulda Shoulda fights that Coulda but weren't ?

Leonard-Cuevas was ready to go.....but Ray walked.

 

Stevenson vs Ali

 

Jc-dm

 

Dempsey - Wills

Dempsey - Greb

Greb - Langford

Johnson - Langford 2

McCallum - Leonard

Bowe - Lewis

Holmes - Foreman

Tunney - Sharkey

Sullivan - Jackson

Tunney - Norfalk

 

some great suggestions in this thread....If I may I would love to include Archie Moore vs Jersey Joe Walcott.. These men fought EVERYONE of the era except eachother!

 

Good thought...I think I go with JJW but Archie beat some good Heavy's...tough one

 

I go with Dempsey/Wills Tunney/Sharkey Lewis/Bowe Holmes/WeaverII Holmes/Page Holmes/Thomas Holmes/Tate Holmes/Dokes and an interesting encounter with Holmes/Gerrie Coetzee

 

Garcia was considered a pretty damn big puncher. By all accounts, he was very impressive against Apostoli, and many people considered him the unofficial best fighter in the division at the time he defended against Armstrong.

It's possible Hostak might've been too big and powerful for him, but if he could survive the early rounds, it's possible he might've been too strong for Hostak over the late going.


This was from a NY Times report on the Garcia-Apostoli fight:

"The only complaint with his[Garcia's] station is its controversial condition. He has not undisputed possession of the crown once worn by Stanley Ketchel. Al Hostak of Seattle is recognized as champion by the National Boxing Association and it will take a battle between the two to decide the question beyond dispute - if Hostak can be dragged into a ring with the fighting demon who toppled Apostoli.
But those who saw Garcia score this victory are satisfied he is the champion. For Garcia embodies everything that goes to make a titleholder, notwithstanding his long years of ring service and his 29 years of age.
He is strong. He can box. He can punch. He can absorb punishment. He can adjust himself to ring situations as they develop, is resourceful, alert, cool under fire, a perfect fury when the tide swings his way."

 

Armstrong was amazing against Ceferino Garcia from the highlights i saw. He was mothering Garcias attacks by mving forward and landing his own but was then pushing around Garcia.

Was the draw a disputed desicion around the time

 

no,i don't think rocky ducked valdez,but after beating charles for the second time,cockell and valdez were next up.
al vile clearly didn't want valdez so it didn't happen

 

:good:good

you've got a point there.what a fight that would have been.between them they must have known every trick there is

 

great pics,

id like to add-

quartey vs trinidad
mosley vs trinidad
toney vs hopkins
cuevas vs palomino
tapia vs johnson
norton vs frazier
mcguigan vs fenech
mcguigan vs nelson
(kevin) kelly vs (junior)jones

 

Johnson - Langford II sounds perfect. I believe the National Sporting Club in London had loaned Johnson the money to further his quest for the H/W title, on proviso he returned to England and faced Langford as challenger.

Johnson failed to do it.
Does this ring true??

 

Thanks for the reply/report.
It gives insight to what kind of fighter Garcia was considered to be. I've only seen a brief clip of Hostak/Zale years ago. Hostak looked very aggressive against the man (in his prime) who ruined people that came into him generally.
This fight would have been a war. I won't hazzard a guess (yet). I will say that Armstrong's winning (by all counts, except the cards) stand against Garcia underlines his greatness. Armstrong was something!!! Amazing fighter.