Two exciting southpaws who fought in the 70s and 80s during a great era in their respective weight class, fought some HOFers while holding a victory over one, were more than willing to slug it out that resulted in consistently being involved in some of the most thrilling bouts throughout their careers, and only had one successful title defense as champion. Both guys were never the top fighter at their weight class but they gave the most of their abilities. Marvin Johnson (43-6, 35 KOs) - 3x LHW champ (WBC, WBA) with victories over Victor Galindez, Mate Parlov, Leslie Stewart, Eddie Davis, Charles Williams Cornelius Boza Edwards (45-7-1, 34 KOs) - WBC SFW champ (WBC) with victories over Bobby Chacon, Bazooka Limon, Arturo Leon, Roberto Elizondo
Pops and Boza were some of the unsung heroes that made the 70's the best era in boxing history , you could flip on the TV and on ABC, NBC or CBS you could see fighters of this caliber...
The great thing about both Johnson and Boza is that almost every single one of their fights are FOTY candidates. Boza clearly the better boxer than Johnson but somehow elects to just trade a little too often for his own good but that's what made him a respected fighter.
Have to go with Pops here because he kept rising from the dead to win titles at 175 after being written off. Love both guys but to answer the question posted, it’s Marvin.
Johnson who only lost to all time greats in his own prime in the best of Saad , Mustafa and Spinks ... he crushed Galindez and Parlov and was a hell if a warrior ... Boza was a step below
Gotta go with Pops here. Their best wins (Chacon for Boza, Galindez for Johnson) are roughly equal. But Johnson kept regaining the title and that tips the scales toward him.
