After having failed to win a world crown, recognized by BoxRec, in my first attempt, I had to wait longer for a 2nd title shot than any other boxer. Who am I?
Witter lost his first title shot against Zab Judah in 2000... and in his next title fight he beat DeMarcus Corley 6 years, 3 months later in 2006. That's a pretty long wait - but not the record.
Brian London waited 7 years, 3 months and 5 days, But their has to be someone else that has a longer wait. Actually the all-time record is held by Joe Bugner. He fought Ali on June 30, 1975 then won the World Boxing Federation heavyweight title on July 4, 1998, when he beat James Bonecrusher Smith. That's over 23 years.
Yes, Bugner holds the all-time record - if we count any type of alphabet "world" title. However, BoxRec does not recognize his WBF win over Smith as being for a "real" world title (Bugner not on their list of world champs) - so he is not our man. Neither is London, despite his more than 7 years between title fights. The man we're looking for is a champ/HOFer, who boxed long before both Bugner and London. Like many of the old timers, he had a lot of fights. A LOT!
