Greatest Underachiever Champion ...

Yes.

Johnson did at least beat every major player of his era at some point in their career.

 

Just a thought, but he met every lineal champion from Fitzsimmons to Willard.

 

For whatever it's worth, Miske, Carp, and Tommy Gibbons are Dempsey's defeated challengers in Canastota. For Johnson, it's Ketchel and Jeffries, and a six round title defense draw against O'Brien. I do think Dempsey's 1920-1923 quintet of Miske III, Brennan II, Carp, TGibbons and Firpo surpasses Lil' Artha's championship reign resume.

 

So do I, but my conclusion still stands.

 

Had jack added destructions of langford, mcvey and johnson in his pre title run.

If he had beaten wills as champ and tunney after hollywood.

That's 5 if's that could lead to him being the goat today.

 

I actualy wouldn't give him much credit for beating shot versions of Johnson, Langford and McVea.

A win over Kid Norfolk would have been much better than any of the above.

 

Part of the process for new champs is defeating old champs.

Norfolk, maybe :think

 

I'd include Michael Dokes and Greg Page on the list of candidates.

They were the two best of the 1980s generation talent-wise, but neither made nearly the kind of mark that he could have with just a smidgen of self-discipline and dedication.

 

Greg Page, Michael Dokes, John Tate, possibly Tony Tucker.

 

Greg Page. If you watch him on film when he's young and in his prime, he is an all time great talent. No doubt he could have been one of the best ever. What a waste. I thought he was hands down the most talented of the 1980s heavyweights(excluding holmes/tyson) but completely blew it.

 

Khaokor Galaxy.