Fighters who never had much skill, but still become champion?

Battling Nelson
Dennis Andries
Jeff Harding

 

battling siki

 

Jake Rodriguez

 

Vito Antuofermo

 

First one that came to my mind.

Also:
Billy Backus
Jorge Vaca

 

Carlos Baldomir

 

What is skill though?

Couldn't power and durability be considered as inherant skills in their own right?

Sombody metioned Battling Nelson. He might not have been adept from a technical standpoint but he was arguably the best pure athlete in the history of gloved boxing. This guy could match the puunch outputs of modern lightweights over 40+ rounds.

 

Carlos Maussa, if you consider him a champ.

I'm not sure Jeffries was the most skilled

 

What about his opponents in those fights Gans and Wolgast? Wouldn't they be equally the best pure athletes ?
Have you punch stats to back up your claim?

 

Marciano is alot better skilled that most people give him credit for. If you watch some of his fights he sets alot traps, crouches and occasionally makes subtle movements that largely go unnoticed but have made the difference in some of his fights. While he may not be as polished as some other HW Champs he's definately skilled.

 

There's the answer right there.

 

Ricardo Mayorga.

 

Leon Spinks, maybe?

 

McCall, Margarito.