Greatest Contenders - Heavyweights

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by scartissue, Jan 30, 2021.


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  1. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Concluding our discussion. Today, give me your 15 greatest contenders never to win the heavyweight title.

    The rules are, they must have competed at the weight and never won a World, WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, NBA or NYSAC recognized title at the selected weight (Interim, Colored, White, IBU, BBBC, state recognized other than New York, Country only recognized or any organization south of WBO are not recognized titles, so their champions are eligible as contenders). Also, since I am not recognizing Straw, jr. fly, super fly, super bantam, super middle or cruiser, the champions and contenders in the omitted classes are eligible at the higher weight. If they did move up and win that respective title like Roman Gonzalez, they are ineligible as a contender. Easy enough? Please ask if I am gliding over something. And don't sweat the order, just give me your best 15.

    Once again, this is super-deep, guys.

    Here are mine:

    -Harry Wills
    -Jimmy Bivins
    -Elmer Ray
    -Archie Moore
    -Zora Folley
    -Eddie Machen
    -Cleveland Williams
    -Oscar Bonavena
    -Jerry Quarry
    -Ron Lyle
    -Earnie Shavers
    -Jimmy Young
    -Gerry Cooney
    -David Tua
    -Ike Ibeabuchi

    Have at it, guys. I know you have 15 to a list.
     
    scartissue, Jan 30, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 30, 2021
    #1
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  2. The Fighting Yoda

    The Fighting Yoda Active Member Full Member

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    - Peter Jackson
    - Tom Sharkey
    - Sam McVey
    - Joe Jeanette
    - Bob Pastor
    - Nino Valdes
    - Henry Cooper
    - Joe Bugner
    - Donovan Ruddock
    - Tony Thompson
    _____

    And now out of the usual suspects, the German edition:

    - Karl Mildenberger (title fight with Ali, European Champion)
    - Axel Schulz (title fights against: Foreman, Botha and Moorer)
    - Walter Neusel (upcoming star during former German Reich, just lost badly to Schmeling)
    - Hein ten Hoff (European Champion, tall + huge reach, good fight against Jersey Joe Walcott)
    - Heinz Neuhaus (European Champion, fought against many good boxers at his time)
     
    The Fighting Yoda, Jan 30, 2021
    The Fighting Yoda, Jan 30, 2021
    #2
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  3. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    How has no one mentioned Sam Langford?
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Jan 31, 2021
    BitPlayerVesti, Jan 31, 2021
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  4. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    I'd put Harry Wills at the top

    Peter Jackson and Sam Langford are probably the next tier.

    Then a bunch of other guys, for now I'll say:
    Elmer Ray, Ike Ibeabuchi, Gunboat Smith, Tommy Loughran, Joe Goddard, Sam McVey, Archie Moore,

    (But I'm probably forgetting a load I might come back later)
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Jan 31, 2021
    BitPlayerVesti, Jan 31, 2021
    #4
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  5. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    Elmer Ray
    Johnny Risko
    Ike Ibeabuci
    David Tua
    Sam McVey
    Joe Jeanette
    Tommy Loughran
    Jerry Quarry
    Jimmy Young
    Rex Layne
    Eddie Machen
    Archie Moore
    Peter Jackson
    Sam Langford
    Harry Wills

    Edit: swapped Povetkin out, Ray in.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2021
    George Crowcroft, Jan 31, 2021
    George Crowcroft, Jan 31, 2021
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  6. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yoda, terrific list.
     
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
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  7. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Awesome, Bit. Add in whomever you wish.
     
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
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  8. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    George, I never expect anything less than a full list from you. I will mention one thing, however. Povetkin actually held the WBA title which DQ's him here. So give me another one in his place if you can (which I know you can).
     
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
    #8
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  9. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    Yeah, I was a little hesitant on him since I didn't know whether or not you meant the WBA super, or regular, in the OP. I'll edit my post now.
     
    George Crowcroft, Jan 31, 2021
    George Crowcroft, Jan 31, 2021
    #9
  10. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    What have they done to our sport when we even have to ask about a super or regular title? I was looking at fight results today and I saw someone retained their 'Francophone' title. I started raving, "What the hell is a Francophone title?" Apparently its some French title. Probably started by the french phone company. But we don't want to start rumors like this because next we'll be hearing about someone fighting for the vacant AT&T belt.
     
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
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  11. Glass City Cobra

    Glass City Cobra H2H Burger King

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    This isn't in order of greatness, simply my top 15 guys who for whatever reason didn't manage to win any version of a major title.

    1-Harry Wills
    2-Jimmy Young
    3-Archie Moore
    4-Zora Folley
    5-Eddie Machen
    6-Jerry Quarry
    7-David Tua
    8-Nino Valdez
    9-Sam Langford
    10-Gerry Cooney
    11-Carl Williams
    12-Oscar Bonavena
    13-Cleveland Williams
    14-Dillian Whyte
    15-Luis Ortiz
     
    Glass City Cobra, Jan 31, 2021
    Glass City Cobra, Jan 31, 2021
    #11
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  12. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    jerry Quarry
    Harry Wills
    Archie Moore
    Fred Fulton
    Rex Layne
    Lou Nova
    Renaldo Snipes
    Melio Betina
    Joey Maxim
    Billy Miske
    Jimmy young
    Eddie Machen
    Carl Williams
    Gerry Cooney
    Harold Johnson
    David Tua
    Razor Ruddock
    Paulino Uzcudun
    Bob Baker
    Joe Bugner
    Paul Cavalier
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2021
    choklab, Jan 31, 2021
    choklab, Jan 31, 2021
    #12
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  13. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Cobra, great choices, my man.
     
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
    #13
  14. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Chok, terrific list. I love your inclusion of Lou Nova and Bob Baker. Good man.
     
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
    scartissue, Jan 31, 2021
    #14
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  15. choklab

    choklab cocoon of horror Full Member

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    They were very good fighters once you look into it.

    if Joe Louis had not existed it could be conceivable that Lou could have been one of the many champions of that period.

    Same for Baker if Marciano had not existed.
     
    choklab, Jan 31, 2021
    choklab, Jan 31, 2021
    #15
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