Any thoughts. I'm wodnering which chamion managed the most impressive outing in the first defense of their first or only title reign. Usually the first title defense is a gimme. Who beat the greatest competition in the most impressive fashion in their first title defense? Fritzie Zivic stopping Hank Armstrong in his first defense was awfully impressive even if Armstrong was a smidge past his best.
Maxim was expected to lose to Murphy in his first title defense, but won the decision so conclusively that the failed challenger sportingly held the champion's arm aloft after for all to see (a classy, classy gesture). Tom Sharkey II was the maiden defense for Jeffries. Tunney-Dempsey II might be mentioned if former champions like Armstrong are to be included. Aside from the Long Count knockdown, Gene dominated again, this time over a Mauler who was not coming off a long layoff.
On paper, its got to be Ali. Repeats a victory over a heavyweight ATG conclusively in the first round. Thats nuts. But controversy surrounds it, so it wont get much of a nod, but I think Dempsey is right.
This is a very good question and I think we could be going at this one for awhile. Off the top of my head I would say Joey Giardello and Carlos Ortiz made very impressive 1st defenses against Hurricane Carter and Battling Torres because both challengers were much feared at the time. I would also say both John Stracey and Carlos Palomino made outstanding 1st defenses because in both instances I picked their challengers, Hedgemon Lewis and Armando Muniz to win. I would also include Vito Antuofermo who fought an incrdible 15 round draw with his #1 contender and heavily favored Marvin Hagler. Again, good question and I think we could go at this one all night. Scartissue
And your mention of Ortiz reminds me to throw Duilio Loi into the mix for winning his first title defense in their rubber match, decking Carlos in round six, en route to the most conclusive outcome in their rivalry.
Good one. And I'll throw one more out there. Bud Smith may not be really known as an exceptional champ but I'll give him credit. He beat an ATG in Jimmy Carter and then repeated it against a guy known for coming back hard in rematches.
Some big names that were defeated in 1st Title defenses- Tunney W10 Dempsey Walcott W15 Charles Marciano KO1 Walcott Ali KO1 Liston M. Spinks W15 Holmes Holyfield W12 Foreman McCall vs. Holmes Holyfield WDQ3 Tyson Non-HW: DeLaHoya W12 M.A. Gonzalez DeLaHoya KO11 Vargas Wright W12 Mosley Toney W12 R. Johnson
Eh, I cannot buy this, with all due respect for Patterson. Floyd was crushed in a high profile match for the HW Championship for the third time. There was nothing to suggest that Liston could be eliminated by Ali in a single round, but everybody had seen Ingo knocking Patterson silly in fights one and three with single shots (decking Floyd a total of nine times at Yankee Stadium and in Miami Beach), getting wiped out by Sonny in Chicago, while also floored by the likes of Rademacher and Roy Harris. (Just four career stoppage wins over opponents with winning records for Cut 'N Shoot, Esq., and a total of nine over 30, none in his final 17 bouts over four and a half years.) I've previously expressed the belief that Floyd could have turned the tables in Sonny in a third match during 1968 or 1969, if he hadn't been robbed by Harold Valan against Ellis in Stockholm, but what happened between them in 1963 surprised hardly anybody.
All excellent mentions. I think Giardello beating Carter is a good shout. Should have thought of Tunney vs. Dempsey II and Ali-Liston II myself. Great choices.
ali liston? the most obvious dive/fix ever in all of sport. no way jose. *exept schumacher and barrichello, but they were on the same team
