Which GOATs of a weight class were not natural members of that weightclass?

Duran was a natural lightweight which makes it amazing he could beat one of the most dangerous fighters in the world at welter toe to toe when he beat Leonard in Montreal, and his reach was tiny compared to Hagler`s and Barkley`s, Laing was huge compared to Duran and used his reach and mobility to out-point Duran despite being a natural welter.

 

M.Tyson did amazing beating heavyweights that were far taller than him and had a huge reach advantage, there will never be a 5`10 heavyweight champ ever again.

 

Jimmy Wilde was under 100Ibs, much smaller than a full Flyweight, smaller than a modern minimumweight even, and considering he's very often ranked No.1 in that division (though I don't personally have him there), I think he's one of the most obvious to mention.

Harry Greb has a reasonable case at Light Heavyweight, especially in terms of resume, when he was a big Middleweight.

Edit: There might be a case for Joe Gans at Lightweight too if you rate him as the greatest in that division, though his lack of fights above Lightweight make it hard to say.

 

Never say never. Forever is a long time, and the internet never forgets.

 

IMHO, weigh ins should happen immediately before they enter the ring. Then everyone will be in the natural weight class where they belong. I guess they have their reasons for doing it the way they do. I think it's artificial (similar to PEDs), but I believe I'm in the minority there. I'll keep watching Boxing anyway. That's for sure.

 

Greb is the Goat at light heavy I agree.

 

Julio Cesar Chavez has a case for #1 at junior welter but fought in a few divisions below for a long time