Short heavyweights?

Patterson could be fairly explosive with his leaping shots. But he was always fighting much larger men.

 

Then George Chaplin fits the bill. Retired Duane Bobick (TKO 7 on cuts), beat Shavers (via DQ in nine), decisioned 6'4" stylist Koraniki in a ten round rematch, Lynn Ball, and I thought he won both matches with Greg Page. Additionally, he went the distance with Coetzee and Dokes.

Loughran was under six feet tall, and holds wins over three different heavyweight champions. If Sharkey hadn't pulled a stunner in their first meeting, Tommy may well have been the first former LHW Champion to take the heavyweight crown. Between Tunney-Heeney in July 1928, and Sharkey-Loughran I in September 1929, Tommy could very possibly be the best active heavyweight in the world, even at 175. He handed top ten southpaw heavyweight Jack Gross his first defeat, then it was Big Boy Peterson, boxing attorney Armand Emanuel, then defended against Walker and Braddock before the shocker to Sharkey. Loughran won his first nine bouts in 1931, and could have gotten a shot at Schmeling before the comparatively inactive Gob if Max undertook a second defense late that year after Strib in Cleveland.

Rosenbloom was another under six feet tall who could play with the big boys. It was Maxie who handed Nova his first defeat. Might have given Louis some real headaches. 5'9" southpaw Bettina was a decent heavyweight (and may have been viewed with some trepidation by the Louis braintrust), and the 5'9" Beshore managed to last longer than any heavyweight challenger of Charles aside from Louis and Walcott.

Despite the lack of power and stature each of these men had among the ranks of the HW division, their achievements at the weight crap all over those of Bob Foster.

 

Patterson should never have been a heavyweight, the fact that he achieved as mucha s he did fighting men bigger than him is a credit to him.

 

From 1964 on, Floyd was a much smarter operator. This is when he knocked out Powell, Herring, McMurray and Polite, all standing 6'3" or more, and each weighing anywhere from 209 to 222. He also beat Chuvalo and Bonavena, hardly considered cruiserweight candidates. Patterson's first bout after turning 25 was when he regained the title, for which he scaled 190. People sometimes forget how young he was when he started, and that his body was still maturing throughout his first reign. Today, he'd definitely be competing above 200 pounds, a weight he only surpassed during his career for Willie Johnson in February 1967. His hand speed would be more of an asset in the heavyweight ranks than at 175.

 

hmm i wouldn't say he was the strongest of them. but take in mind his tremendous speed. floyd could definetly punch

 

james toney has enough power but not huge at hw.

 

Orlin Norris was something between 5'9 and 5'11, with shortish reach, and I think he boxed pretty good for a while in the late 80s/early 90s. He certainly wasn't a heavy hitter.
I thought he was unlucky to lose a close one to 6'5 Tony Tucker in about 1990 or '91.