Greatest Contenders - Featherweights

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by scartissue, Jan 19, 2021.


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  1. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I actually saw his fight in '73 against Ernesto Marcel. The channel I saw it on was hosting a double-header with Roberto Duran v Ishimatsu Suzuki. I tell ya, you summed up his fight with Pedroza the same. It was like a boy against a man.
     
    scartissue, Jan 20, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 20, 2021
    #16
  2. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Surprised nobody has mentioned Jim Driscoll. Unless I missed it. He’s almost certainly the best who never won the title.
     
    ChrisJS, Jan 20, 2021
    ChrisJS, Jan 20, 2021
    #17
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  3. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I've been waiting for you to chime in, Chris. I know you have a list for me. Driscoll is an excellent addition.
     
    scartissue, Jan 20, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 20, 2021
    #18
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  4. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Jim Driscoll
    Owen Moran
    Leach Cross
    Dwight Hawkins
    Nel Tarleton
    Flash Elorde
    Frankie Crawford
    Art Hafey
    Ruben Castillo
    Mitsonuri Seki
    Ismael Laguna
    Daniel Zaragoza
    Octavio Gomez
    Manny Pacquaio (don’t think he officially had a title at 126)
    Manuel Ortiz
    Ray Famechon
     
    ChrisJS, Jan 20, 2021
    ChrisJS, Jan 20, 2021
    #19
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  5. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Chris, you are quite right. Manny Pac actually never held a 126 lb. title other than a Ring Magazine title. I think we all just went along with that as he thumped Barrera for the win, but some issue MAB had with the WBC where he did not hold there crown, so Manny is a good one. The only one I would question was your inclusion of Leach Cross, whom I always thought was a career lightweight. Did he actually contend at featherweight? Other than this, a great list.
     
    scartissue, Jan 20, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 20, 2021
    #20
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  6. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Of course mate, oversight on my part. keep well.
     
    Mike Cannon, Jan 20, 2021
    Mike Cannon, Jan 20, 2021
    #21
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  7. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Lovely to hear that Mike, I can just see him sitting there. I went to Muswell Hill myself pre 2005 a few times. It was always a great day meeting up with the old faces. I've got to say Dad was never happier than when he was with his own, the boxing fraternity. Last time I went was when it was at North Weald a few years ago and I got a chance to play on that occasion.
     
    AlFrancis, Jan 20, 2021
    AlFrancis, Jan 20, 2021
    #22
  8. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    Damn, I knew I shoulda checked. I thought about him when I saw Moran mentioned, but I assumed he won the title off Attell. I guess that was Kilbane who I was thinking off.

    Great mention.
     
    George Crowcroft, Jan 21, 2021
    George Crowcroft, Jan 21, 2021
    #23
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  9. Bujia

    Bujia Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Rodolfo Casanova
    Harlem Tommy Murphy
    Juan Zurita

    Those 3 would be in my top 10. Casanova right behind Driscoll for best to never win the title and Murphy right behind Moran in the top 5.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2021
    Bujia, Jan 21, 2021
    Bujia, Jan 21, 2021
    #24
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  10. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Great picks, Bujia.
     
    scartissue, Jan 21, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 21, 2021
    #25
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  11. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The greatest featherweight contenders who never won the title, so deemed by the Classic Boxing Forum (always open for additions).

    -Jim Driscoll
    -Owen Moran
    -Leach Cross
    -Harlem Tommy Murphy
    -Nel Tarleton
    -Baby Casanova
    -Juan Zurita
    -Manuel Ortiz
    -Charley Riley
    -Percy Bassett
    -Ray Famechon
    -Flash Elorde
    -Percy Lewis
    -Ismael Laguna
    -Mitsunori Seki
    -Dwight Hawkins
    -Fighting Harada
    -Frankie Crawford
    -Famoso Gomez
    -Art Hafey
    -Evan Armstrong
    -Ruben Castillo
    -Patrick Ford
    -Samat Payakaroon
    -Bernard Taylor
    -Rocky Lockridge
    -Daniel Zaragoza
    -Kennedy McKinney
    -Manny Pacquiao
    -Guilermo Rigondeaux

    Next up: junior lightweights
     
    scartissue, Jan 21, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 21, 2021
    #26
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  12. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Damn great thread, Scar. Great job. Thanks
     
    Clinton, Jan 24, 2021
    Clinton, Jan 24, 2021
    #27
  13. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Great one, Chris. Cheers on Driscoll, a truly great fighter.
     
    Clinton, Jan 24, 2021
    Clinton, Jan 24, 2021
    #28
  14. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    I'm not sure he clearly belongs above Moran.

    He has the NWS win over Attell and a big reputation, but Moran has a much deeper overall body of work.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Jan 24, 2021
    BitPlayerVesti, Jan 24, 2021
    #29
  15. Bujia

    Bujia Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Let’s investigate that claim:

    Driscoll
    Abe Attell
    George Dixon X3
    Leach Cross
    Matty Baldwin X2
    Joe Bowker X2
    Tommy Langdon
    Spike Robson X2
    Grover Hayes X3

    Moran
    George Dixon
    Harlem Tommy Murphy X3
    Ad Wolgast
    Battling Nelson
    Digger Stanley
    Philadelphia Pal Moore
    Matty Baldwin X3
    Tommy O’Toole X2
    Frankie Neil X3
    Tommy Langdon
    Danny Dougherty
    Monte Attell

    Moran‘s resume is deeper, but not by far. 19 wins over 12 quality opponents vs 15 wins over 8.

    Driscoll was far more consistent, however. 5 losses in 75 fights vs 19 losses in 110. His resume was also more saturated than Moran’s, I.e. he beat quality opposition more often relative to his number of fights. He just didn’t have as many of them.

    He also holds the single best win. Close but clear for Driscoll. Moran is hardly ahead of Harlem Tommy Murphy, in my opinion. His edge in their series narrowly wins it for him.
     
    Bujia, Jan 24, 2021
    Bujia, Jan 24, 2021
    #30
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