Who was the best heavyweight fighter who never won a world title? For me the most obvious name is Sam Langford. Of the more recent guys David Tua would be one to consider, alongside Ike Ibeaubuchi who I think was a world class fighter during his brief professional career. I also don’t consider the WBA Regular title a legitimate world title so guys like Povetkin in my eyes were never fully fledged world champions. I’d consider him too in this conversation although I think he’s somewhat overrated and there are a few other guys I’d take over him.
And his best win was either past it Biggs or past it Tillis neither of whom was ever top 10 fighter even in their primes. Tua beat 4 HW world champions (Ruiz, Rahman, Maskaev and Moorer) and whole bunch of decent fringe contenders. Guys like Oquendo, Nicholson, Izon were much better than those versions of Biggs and Tillis.
Definitively. He was constantly in the top 10 and way better than certain guys who held the belts... It's unsatisfying that he only held the regular title.
Can’t wait to read 4 paragraphs from Neetszchean/short round/Redbeard on how it is Ortiz. The poor guy still hasn’t got over that absolute shut out of Wilder followed by the No Mas by Wallin that happened in December.
That guy had mean power but after the Tyson fights I felt he never really reached his potential. Lewis utterly crushed him which I was shocked by. Still a very good pick.
Thought the exact same after I made this thread. He’s been having a complete meltdown for nearly a month, absolute comedy gold. Luis Ortiz was a very solid contender but there is no argument for me being considered in this conversation. One win over one decent contender in Jennings and a strong losing effort against Wilder (who imo is overrated) does not qualify him for this conversation. Guys like Povetkin, Ruddock, Langford, and Tua all did far more.