Fighters who didn’t win a world title until they moved up.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Devon, Jun 14, 2024.

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  1. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Even someone like Roy Jones counts who moved started at 154lbs.
    How many can you name?
     
    Devon, Jun 14, 2024
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  2. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Jose Napoles started at 135 and didn't become champion until he went up to 147.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Jun 14, 2024
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  3. Dorrian_Grey

    Dorrian_Grey It came to me in a dream Full Member

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    Ezzard Charles started at MW but never won a title until HW
     
    Dorrian_Grey, Jun 14, 2024
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  4. bolo specialist

    bolo specialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ceferino Garcia lost 2 tries for the WW title, then moved up & bombed out Fred Apostoli for a piece of the MW title.

    Archie Moore, Billy Conn, & Ezzard Charles all started as MWs but didn't win titles until they moved up to either LHW or (in Charles' case) HW.
     
    bolo specialist, Jun 14, 2024
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  5. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Eusebio Pedroza started at Bantamweigh and challenged Zamora for the Bantamweight weight title and got KO'ed in 2 rounds.

    Pedroza then moved up to Featherweight and of course started his long reign as Featherweight champion and the rest is history.
     
    Dynamicpuncher, Jun 14, 2024
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  6. bolo specialist

    bolo specialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Carlos Ortiz moved up & won the jr. WW title before dropping back down to win the LW title.

    I believe Wilfredo Gomez was a ranked BW before jumping up to win the jr. FW title & Aaron Pryor was a ranked LW before jumping up to win the jr. WW title.
     
    bolo specialist, Jun 14, 2024
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  7. Jpreisser

    Jpreisser Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Jimmy McLarnin, Andre Ward, Georges Carpentier, Harry Greb, George Lavigne, and many other old-timers who lacked amateur careers.
     
    Jpreisser, Jun 14, 2024
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  8. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Glen Johnson lost at 160 to BHOP and at 168 to Ottke before winning a world title at 175 against Tarver.
     
    AwardedSteak863, Jun 14, 2024
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  9. KasimirKid

    KasimirKid Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Jimmy Ellis, Georges Carpentier, Ralph Dupas, Jimmy Braddock, Ceferino Garcia, Denny Moyer.
     
    KasimirKid, Jun 14, 2024
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  10. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Hundreds. When you've got names such as SRR, Duran, Chavez, Moore, Charles, Langford, Arguello, Gans, Leonard, Pep and co just at the top end you know the list is gonna be loooooooong.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 14, 2024
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  11. Mastrangelo

    Mastrangelo Active Member Full Member

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    Yes, that's big portion of all champions. Maybe the interesting question is here is who won his first title the highest above his original weight?

    Guillermo Jones had to move up quite a few division before winning a belt. He started out as a Welterweight, challanged for a title twice at Super Welterweight - but only won a title at Cruiserweight.
     
    Mastrangelo, Jun 14, 2024
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  12. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    Evander Holyfield started at LHW, but won his 1st title at CW.

    Canelo Alvarez started at WW, but won his 1st title at JMW.
     
    Showstopper97, Jun 14, 2024
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  13. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Pryor could have stayed at 135 his whole career but moved to 140 because Cervantes gave him a shot when none of the lightweight champs would.
     
    he grant, Jun 15, 2024
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  14. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    This gets bandied about but simply isn't true.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jun 15, 2024
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  15. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Braddock.
     
    HistoryZero26, Jun 15, 2024
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