Most unsuccessful boxers with the best technique?

While certainly not in the category of the already mentioned, Joe bugner. He did succeed in winning a few belts and a few good names on his record, but I think he could have had more success than he did if he'd used his attribute s more. I no he came along in a great era but it felt at times bugner could have perhaps done more with what he had. But Im reluctant to put him in this category as he certainly got to the top in Britain and Europe for a while.

 

Kalule springs to mind. Floyd Mayweather sr. Jimmy Young, perhaps. Tony Tubbs (he did win a belt though, didn't he?). Buster Mathis sr and jr both hade very good technique compared to their success.

 

If the term unsuccessful relates solely to not winning the world title, then I would name 2 names. Hedgemon Lewis and Hector Thompson. Hedge was absolutely beautiful to watch. So slick. Unfortunately he came along at the same time as Jose Napoles and was beaten back twice by Mantequilla. His third title shot came against Stracey when he was already done like dinner.

Hector Thompson wasn't a stylist in the vein of Hedge, but he was so strong, so tough and such a stiff puncher. Like Hedge, he came along at the wrong time and his two title shots were against Roberto Duran and Antonio Cervantes. What else can you say?

 

"most unsuccessful" = least successful

I think we need to be looking at boxers who really weren't successful (but let's stick with pros who had a number of fights). There are lots of them on film, almost always losing to someone who was more successful. Some of them have excellent technique but simply don't take a punch well or don't have heart enough to stay in a fight for long. Others have the heart but are let down by having insufficient speed or strength.

Most the names mentioned of this thread were VERY successful, in the top percentile of professional boxers.

 

Alex Ramos had some nice basics going on but never fulfilled his supposed promise. Wouldn't call him unsuccessful but he came to mind.

 

Probably Franky Moro or someone like that.

 

Herol Graham. The Bomber was, to all accounts, one of the greatest, most talented and most elusive boxers of his generation, and was cited by Mike McCallum as the best boxer he ever fought, but he never managed to make it on the world stage and always slipped up in World title fights. He held the British, European and Commonwealth belts but despite his undeniable talent and ability he never made that final step up.

 

Maurice Harris.

Mo was very, very chinny but could also box beautifully on occasion as well. Was robbed against and old Larry Holmes in my view and whipped James Thunder when he was a contender as well as shutting out the more highly credentialed Jeremy Williams.

The guy was a very technically proficient fighter with good athletic attributes but was lightishly built for a modern heavy and as mentioned was fragile unfortunately. It did make for some very exciting fights though.

 

Good call on Harris. I thought he beat Homes too. If he could have gotten past Jefferson he would have been on his way. If memory serves me, Jefferson was almost ready to be taken in that fight until he caught Harris with a one-punch KO. Harris would have been better served if he concentrated on his boxing, which was formidable, rather than slugging.