Has any Champions ever fought their stablemates for the Title?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by count717, Feb 19, 2026.


  1. count717

    count717 New Member Full Member

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    Feb 18, 2026
    There were many stablemates that were better than the champ. The managers made them protectors of the Champs crown. Can anyone name any of them?
     
  2. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    It happens all the time. PBC, Top Rank, and DKP have done a lot of this.
     
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  3. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I'm not quite sure what you're asking. The title of the thread doesn't really match your first couple sentences.

    Boxers can be in the same "stable" of a promoter or a trainer, but they can have different managers.

    I believe Carl King was the manager of record of both fighters when Tim Witherspoon and Bonecrusher Smith fought for the WBA Heavyweight title. But they weren't in the same "stable" and didn't have the same trainers.

    Lamon Brewster and Kali Meehan were quite close and routinely trained together before they fought, and Meehan helped Brewster get ready for his first fight with Wlad Klitschko. Then Brewster made his first defense against Meehan. But they weren't managed by the same guys.

    Ali and Jimmy Ellis fought in a non-title fight in 1971. Ellis and Ali were stablemates. Angelo Dundee trained both but he was also Jimmy's manager. When they fought, Dundee worked Jimmy's corner, so he could get paid as a trainer and a manager.

    Stuff like that.
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2026
  4. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    Secretariat VS Riva Ridge, I 'spect.
     
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  5. count717

    count717 New Member Full Member

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    Feb 18, 2026
    They have the same manager and trainer, signed in five year contracts. The stablemate was the cornerstone of the stable.
     
  6. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I immediately thought of Zarate and Zamora but that was fought as a non-title.
     
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  7. count717

    count717 New Member Full Member

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    Feb 18, 2026
    Similarity, when Fritzie Zivic beat Armstrong for the Wel. Title, Charley Burley was in line to challenge Zivic. It turn out that Luke Carney bought Burley's contract from Goldstein, specifically, to prevent Burley from fighting Zivic for the wel. Title. It was a strategic "freeze out."
     
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  8. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not exactly what OP is talking about, but still maybe the best example of two close guys fighting:

    Simon Brown and Maurice Blocker were stablemates on the way up in Washington DC and sparred regularly for years. They were best friends.

    Brown won the IBF welterweight title. Blocker won the WBC.

    Brown signed with Don King. Blocker signed with Butch Lewis, breaking up their stablemate relationship but not their friendship.

    They fought to unify, with Brown winning by TKO in 10.

    https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/03/17/Brown-Blocker-friends-who-hit-each-other/4537669186000/
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2026
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  9. m.s.

    m.s. Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Danny Jacobs vs Derevyanchenko.