LHWs winning HW titles.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015.


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  1. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Why do you suppose it's so rare? I mean, a LHW champion didn't move up and win a HW title until 1985, when Spinks beat Holmes.

    Even CWs moving up to win a HW title is rare.
     
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    #1
  2. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Specially when you consider that heavies were bigger in 85 than back in the day. I suppose it shows that certain lightheavies can outmanoeuvre certain big heavies but it's harder against a fella who you might only be giving 10-15 pounds to who can fight.
     
    AlFrancis, Jun 5, 2015
    AlFrancis, Jun 5, 2015
    #2
  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    You raise an interesting point.

    Only one light heavyweight champion ever held the lineal heavyweight title, until the era of the super heavyweight giants, where somehow two managed to do it.

    Can't wait to hit Seamus with that one next time we debate Rocky Marciano vs insert modern fighter.

    On a serious note, that might not be a coincidence.

    Perhaps the very advances in sports science that created the super heavyweights, made it more viable for a light heavyweight to step up.
     
    janitor, Jun 5, 2015
    janitor, Jun 5, 2015
    #3
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Are you guys sure it's the case that it's as difficult to do this as it is to move up between other weights? How many natural bantams were lineal at feather?
     
    McGrain, Jun 5, 2015
    McGrain, Jun 5, 2015
    #4
  5. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Who were the two? I know Moorer was one, but who was the other?
     
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    #5
  6. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    To give you all three:

    Fitzsimmons
    Spinks
    Moorer

    So what went wrong between Fitzsimmons and Spinks?

    To be fair there were a lot of near misses.
     
    janitor, Jun 5, 2015
    janitor, Jun 5, 2015
    #6
  7. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Roy Jones and Fitzsimmons are the only two MWs to win a title at HW.

    Also, Fitzsimmons moved DOWN from HW to win a title at LHW.

    I believe Fitzsimmons was the first EVER fighter to win world titles in more than one weight class.
     
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    #7
  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Indeed.

    Fitzsimmons outgrew the middleweight division, and had no choice but to go straight to heavyweight, as there was no light heavyweight class. After his second fight with Jeffries he resigned himself to the idea that he could never be champion again, but the creation of the light heavyweight class suddenly put him back in the picture overnight.

    Tommy Burns could probably have claimed the light heavyweight title, because he beat Philadelphia Jack O'Brien within the necessary weight range, while the latter was champion. If he could have seen this thread, he might well have done so!

    Another poignant near miss, is Ezzard Charles. It seems very likely that he could have won the light heavyweight title, with the right match making.
     
    janitor, Jun 5, 2015
    janitor, Jun 5, 2015
    #8
  9. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not HW, but Sugar Ray Robinson is another near miss with the LHW title. Had he not passed out from heat stroke, he would have won the LHW title.

    He also should have won the LW title, but Angott's title wasn't on the line. If he had won the LW and LHW titles, he would have been the first ever 4 weight champion.
     
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    #9
  10. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Now that is crazy, because the transition from welterweight to light heavyweight, is something of a holy grail in itself.
     
    janitor, Jun 5, 2015
    janitor, Jun 5, 2015
    #10
  11. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Jimmy Ellis was another middle weight who claimed a heavyweight title
     
    AlFrancis, Jun 5, 2015
    AlFrancis, Jun 5, 2015
    #11
  12. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Funny how winning a world title in more than one weight class was a big deal back then, and now, it's pretty common.

    Back then, winning a world title in more than one weight class was considered a great accomplishment.
     
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    #12
  13. heerko koois

    heerko koois Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Very hard for a LHW to win the HW crown....only one guy ever pulled it off ( forgot his name )
     
    heerko koois, Jun 5, 2015
    heerko koois, Jun 5, 2015
    #13
  14. VG_Addict

    VG_Addict Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Michael Spinks?
     
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    VG_Addict, Jun 5, 2015
    #14
  15. 2piece

    2piece Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Hopkins wanted to fight David Haye for his WBA title too, it never came off. Hopkins even with all of his experience and smarts, would be too far out of his element to beat Haye considering his greater size and athleticism.
     
    2piece, Jun 5, 2015
    2piece, Jun 5, 2015
    #15
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