Could Don Cockell Beat Any Post 1960 Heavyweight Champions?

I wouldn’t pick him against any way before that also, maybe some of the really early guys, but that’s it.

 

I don’t think Don Cockell beats any lineal champion in any era

 

No.

Better question is if he could beat any post 1960 Commonwealth HW champs.

The only lineal champs he should be favored against are the 19th century guys. He'd have a shot with Hart or Burns but wouldn't pick him.

 

No. Dunn was 6 ft 3 and fought in the 70s. London was a multiple time world title contender who retired Ingo. Sure the punch was a hail mary he survived the whole fight with Ingo to be able to deliever it.

McAlinden and maybe Bunny Johnson? After that its hard to find a win. Frankly pre 1960 he loses to way more of the CW HW champs than he beats.

 

No, but I think we should remember he started out at Middle.

 

Has an okay shot against Leon Spinks, outside of that nah

 

Against some of the weaker champions yes.

I wouldn’t pick Cockell over any of the great champions between the 60’s to now such as Ali and other champions of his caliber.

However, between the great champions during this period there were a lot of not so great guys that managed to pick up a strap, so against the weaker belt holders like Tate, Weaver, Dokes, Bonecrusher Smith, Coetzee, Charles Martin, John Ruiz, Andy Ruiz, Povetkin, Lucas Brown, Berbick, Peter, etc... Cockell with his ring experience could definitely pick up some wins.

 

Don Cockell was crazy. How else to explain fighting Rocky Marciano with a bad kidney?

 

Many Heavyweight Champs did.
Fitzsimmons
Burns
Johnson
Dempsey
Tunney
Schmeling
Charles
Walcott
Patterson
Ellis
M Spinks

So what's the significance of it?

 

Those are exceptional fighters.

 

Excellent as usual,,tip of the hat.

 

He was in the smallest era when feats at that level meant the least.

Also theres a difference from being a MW as a debutant who grows out of it then being an actual MW. Where that difference lies is kind of a grey area but its there.

 

He took a savage beating from Marciano in May 1955...he never quit...unlike Liston!