Most disgraceful performances by defending champions

Duran vs Leonard

 

Joe Calzaghe vs Peter Manfredo

Larry Holmes vs Marvis Frazier

Tyson Fury vs Dereck Chisora 3

 

Foreman-Roman
Norris-Joe Gatti

 

What?

 

Swag, I think he's saying Douglas' performance was disgraceful in defending his title rather than saying Holyfield was an unworthy challenger.

I'll go back to my standby- prime Matthew Hilton "defending" his 154 lb title against "Iron Man" Jack Callahan. Callhan was a tough club fighter who fought main events around Indiana but in no way was qualified either by displayed skills or resume to get that fight. It was clearly a case of "Who is the softest touch we can find with some sort of rating?" by Hilton's team.

Can we also nominate Conroy Nelson for being sanctioned as a "Contender" for Herbie Hide's WBO title?

How about Pablo Baez getting shoved in against a prime pre-Leonard fight Thomas Hearns?

 

Vitali K vs Shannon Briggs

 

Bob Foster's early reign of the light heavyweight title was nothing to laud. I wouldn't agree with much that the WBA would pull but in the instance of stripping Bob of his title? Well, let's just say he did nothing to deter them. I will say after uniting the title from Vicente Rondon he actually did start fighting worthy opponents but at least 3 of his early defenses would fit the title of this thread as 'disgraceful'.

Frankie DePaula - Bob's first title defense after years of claiming he was being ducked and he takes on a New Jersey clubfighter with a record of 19-6-3 who had only gone 10 rounds once in his career. Presumably that fight - a 10 round loss to Dick Tiger - got him his shot as he gave a 'gutsy performance'. The result of the defense was predictable, however, a 1st round KO for Bob.

Roger Rouse - What was the point of this? Roger was slaughtered by Bob in 5 rounds a year and a half earlier in a non-title bout and had gone 2-3 in his subsequent 5 fights since. Again, what was the point? And Bob slaughtered him again. This time in 3 rounds.

Tommy Hicks - A clubfighter with a record of 12-5-3 with absolutely no name on his record that could suggest fighting for the world title. Amazingly, Hicks made it into the 8th round.

 

Misunderstood the thread after seeing the responses. I thought you were referring to giving opportunities to those who didn't deserve it. My sincere apologies.

 

Joshua vs Ruiz
Ruiz vs Joshua

 

Berbick Vs. Tyson

This content is protected

Wladimir Klitschko Vs. Lamon Brewster

Spinks (lineal) Vs. Tyson ...fear