French Heavyweights, Generally considered the 'lowest group' of the European Heavyweights. French Heavyweights were never really considered a threat to any decent heavyweight, and most of them were usually used as a 'record padder' for good heavyweights.
Before Lucien Rodriguez, There was the 'Great' Christian Poncelet.. Christian was the French Light-Heavyweight Champion, who moved up to Heavyweight, and on October 15, 1977 defeated the 'Fantastic' Jannik DoFour. Following that victory, Christian Poncelet asked for a bout with Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali.
From back in 1965 The 'speedy' Jean-Paul Schiller Jena-Paul, was actually on Sonny Liston's comeback list when he was in Europe in 1966. Sonny was having a difficult time getting any Heavyweight to get in the ring with him, and Jean-Paul said he would gladly oblige the former Champion. He may have given Sonny a fight for a Round.
Another 'French Beauty' Henri Ferjules,,,,,,, Qualified for the French Heavyweight Championship held on December 19, 1970 Boasted a record of 6-17-7 (2 KO's). His claim to fame, he had fought an 8-Round Draw with the French Heavyweight Champion, Christian Poncelet in his previous bout. Could it get any worse.............
French heavies have never been much but if there was one standout I would say Andre Lenglet back in then '30s. Not looking a t his record I recall he beat Buddy Baer once and a few other notables whom I can't remember off the top of my head. But there was differing stories on his life when he returned to Europe at the time of the war. In one instance I believe he was branded a traitor for conspiring with the Vichy French, who were Nazi collaborators and I recall reading another story once about Georges Carpentier trying to get him to make a comeback after the war but Lenglet had lost a leg during wartime. So I don't know but again, he had some notable wins on his ledger. Scartissue
Robert Duquense,,,,,,, Impressed by going 14-7-2 (4 KO's) early in his career,,,,,, Then on March 5, 1957 was 'flattened' (L KO 1) by Brian London. He used that '1st-Round' knockout loss, to get and win the French Heavyweight Championship in his very next bout on June 15, 1957. Robert was able to successfully defend his Championship 'twice', before getting knocked off by Francis Magnetto on June 13, 1959. But Mr. Duquense returned the favor, and regained the French Heavyweight Championship on October 8, 1960. He was regarded as the French Heavyweight Champion until March 6, 1965 when he was defeated by 'speedy' Jean-Paul Schiller. Robert Duquense retired after that defeat, with a deceiving record of 28-16-2 (18 KO's), while suffering '10' knockout losses.
From the late-1950's Emile Vidal.....'The Lezigan Laruper' Looked good by going 22-1-0 (14 KO's) though April 1, 1957, including winning the French Heavyweight Championship. But was defeated by Robert Duquense on June 15, 1957, making his reign as Champion a short one of only 75-days. A decent boxer-puncher, who ended his career with never defeating his staunchest 'rival' Robert Duquense, who defeated him '3-times'. Retired in 1958 at age 28, with a record of 23-6-0 (14 KO's). Emile Vidal.... 'The Lezigan Laruper' This content is protected
Georges Carpentier. The first non-English speaker to capture a world title in pro boxing. When he fought Jack Dempsey in 1921, he had the chance to put France on the map and today France as a sporting nation would not bottom out in the ranking of Top European heavyweight boxing hubs. Still, Carpentier goes down as the greatest French heavyweight of all time.
France has Tony Yoka, who won the gold medal in the Rio Olympics at super heavyweight. While he likely got a gift decision in the semi-final match vs Hrgovic, he remains a top level prospect. Yoka is likely the best French heavyweight prospect in decades.
Senor Pepe... the greatest scholar these boards ever witnessed, too great a genius to be allowed to continue.
Why do people resurrect this lying moronic nutcase from time to time. I have yet to see a post by this idiot where he didnt fabricate much of what he wrote. Hes been banned from literally every forum for it and was booted from boxrec and had all posts deleted because he was caught altering records with fictitious info. He was the worst kind of scum.