One of the all-time-great knockdown-dragouts was Lyle vs. Foreman. And as intimidating and physically imposing as both seemed in the day, both could have been Bridgerweights today: Lyle, at 220, and Foreman at 226.
I'm surprised no one mentioned Jimmy Young he beat George Foreman convincingly, beat Lyle twice convincingly. Had very close fights vs Norton, Ali, that he was unlucky to lose.
He lost alot later in his career when he was past his prime most of his losses came in the 80s. He was also matched up with tough opponents early in his career when he was green for example he fought Shavers the 1st time with only 11 pro fights.
Of all time its definitely Sam Langford and Harry Wills. Recent times.. could be Ruddock, Mercer, Tua, Povetkin.
Y'all having a semantics argument over the meaning of "title" Bro, if you want to acknowledge any titles that's cool. I don't see any reason to bicker about it. Monte Masters is probably the worst champ in history given he was given the title for marrying the daughter of a body owner and was stripped for divorcing her. Yeah, it's a minor title, but it's also a funny story. Sam Langford or maybe James Toney owns the most minor titles at HW, I think it's fair to keep them in HW champ discussions on that feat alone. People say lineal starts with John L because some racist conman plagiarist told them to, they also say the colored championships were minor titles. When John was champion he was champion over a division of white Americans and Englishmen. Sam Langford has title from Mexico, France, the IBU, and colored titles. Comparatively a larger talent pool covering more variety of people groups from more places on the planet. But John L is the "World Heavyweight Champion" and Sam Langford is not. It is fair, in my opinion, to start lineal with Louis. That is when the US+England boxing had grown to an international sport and when all race barriers were lifted to allow, for the first time in boxing history, the best man to win the title. I do not personally see Fitzs or Dempsey as legitimate as Usyk and Marciano. I do see James Toney as a more legitimate HW champion than James Corbett. But if you don't it's cool. Y'all ain't got to fight about it. Just riff on what's on your mind bro. I'd love to see Tua knock Stiverne apart, I'd love to see Lang mix it with giants. Ain't no reason to be bogged down with who did or didn't make a Ring, CBZ , or IBRO list.
Farr was a heavyweight title claimant in the final months of James Braddocks reign after winning the Commonwealth belt. Schmeling was the more popular claimant though. https://boxerlist.com/en/boxer/tommy-farr/10166
I did say Ken Norton but he was given the belt without fighting for it and then lost in his first defence.