Michael Moorer first southpaw heavyweight titlist?

Moorer was indeed the first Southpaw Heavyweight Champion of the World when he beat Evander Holyfield in 1994. I am guessing the commentary to the Cooper fight you have, was done post April 94.

 

If that was the original commentary, then he meant that Moorer was the first to win the WBO title. However, no southpaw had ever won any version of a heavyweight title before that. The WBO was not acknowledged as a legitimate title at that time (and still isn't, I suppose), so Moorer didn't get credit as the first southpaw to win the HW title until he beat the lineal champ Holyfield.

However, Moorer did indeed make history as the first southpaw to win the HW title - WBO, lineal, or any other kind.

 

The WBO title really didn't mean jack **** until Lamon Brewtser KO'd Wlad Klit in 2004....... Prior to '04, NOBODY gave a damn about the WBO........

MR.BILL

 

Not really, any fighter worth anything pre 90s was almost always converted to orthodox. I believe Gerry Cooney was a natural Southpaw, who was taught to fight right handed.

Indeed, off the top of my head, I can think of only Karl Mildenberger and Richard Dunn as Southpaw challengers to the World's Heavyweight Championship.

 

Herbie Hide and family did, twice!

 

Not only that, only two southpaws had ever previously challenged for a title - Mildenberger and Dunn, both against Ali. I can't think of too many other southpaws that were contenders at heavyweight either. I know there was Melio Bettina, but my mind draws a blank outside of that.

 

I never called Riddick Bowe a champion in 1995 after he KO'd a pathetic Hide on HBO for the WBO title....... That title fight was a farce.........

Wlad Klitschko was the guy who FIRST brought some attention and respect to the WBO group..... Then Brewster broke it wide open by kayoing Klit in '04.......

MR.BILL:bbb

 

I am sorry, I thought I saw WBO and respect in the same sentence. As he is a classy poster, I am guessing someone has nicked MRBILL's persona!

 

Jim Jeffries switched to a southpaw stance late in his second fight against Tom Sharkey but this was forced by an injury to his left arm. Basiacly when he wanted to employ the jab effectivley he could only do it by switch hitting.

 

LOL, I think you are right!:rofl

 

Wasnt Jeffries a converted southpaw to start with?