Paulino Uzcudun... where would you rank him amongst the heavyweights?

He did not have a win against Schmeling, it was a very, very hometown draw.

 

Fringe contender at best,a brave tough man,but a limited one.

 

Fringe contender (due to chin) with championship chin.

 

His ko of a past it Harry Willis and a bruising 20 round points win over Max Baer were his finest hours. Hard as nails but could be outboxed, more Chisora than Ruddock.

 

Unequivocally a top contender at his pinnacle.

1928
Title Vacant

1. Young Stribling
2. George Godfrey
3. This content is protected
4. Jack Sharkey
5. Knute Hansen
6. Jim Maloney
7. Johnny Risko
8. Phil Scott
9. Tom Heeney
10. Otto von Porat

 

His high watermark was probably beating Jack Renault in late 1928, but in 1929 he ran into Max Schmeling's overhand right, and it was downhill from thee.

 

He was probably better than we give credit for, today. Hard to say with so little footage.

 

Yes, I wonder if I have a different interpretation of "fringe contender" to other posters.

Imo, as a guide, a top 10 ranked fighter is a contender. Someone close to, but outside the top 10, is a fringe contender.

Uzcudun was no ATG, not even close, but he was a contender.

 

He is in the end of year rankings for 25, 26, 27 and 28, so he is clearly a contender over this period.

After Schmeling beats him he drops out of the end of year rankings, and settles down to being something of a Chisora figure of the division.

By that I mean that he fights all the top men, and is competitive with them, but loses more often than not.

 

Def better than fringe contender. 38-6 going into the first Schmeling bout. I think he ended up going 11-11 after it. Straight ahead type with granite chin. Even ran excellent boxer types close like Loughran and Schaaf. That aggressive style played well back in the day even if it was crude and not clean punching. Gatekeeper to solid contender level. Wiped out over the hill Wills and beat Baer. Not too bad

 

People keep mentioning that he beat Baer, but Baer was nobody on paper back then.

Without the benefit a a crystal ball, Baer was less relevant than men like Risko and Levinsky, who Uzcdun was losing against.

 

Well boxerlist says he held the IBU world title after beating McCorkindale in a 10 rounder.

The thing that stands out about Uzcudun historically is him not being KO'd or even knocked down until his final fight against Joe Louis. Normally when you see that a fighter hasn't been KO'd it indicates a padded record but Uzcudun fought murderers row. And that really does stand out historically.

 

I can tell you how my Ai boxing simulation program had him....In his own era (ERA 2)
he was one of the best over achievers.

Paulino Uzcudun due to his size & power was above fighter's Gunboat smith, george carpentier, Tiger Flowers, mickey walker, Tommy Loughran, Luther Mccarthy, Young Stribling (these guys are bunched up next to each other).

Paulino would be right around the fighter's Fred Fulton & Kid Norfolk & Jack Dillion

as Dillion is above Gunboat smith, george carpentier, Tommy Loughran, Luther Mccarthy, Young Stribling & walker & Flowers. He was similar size as many of these guy's but a much better talent according to Simulation.

Walker & Flowers & Dillion all faced Greb. Dillion rates higher than the other two even though some may have gave him a tougher match. Jack Dillion is stronger head to head.

Jack Dillion & Kid Norfolk are really really close slightly above walker & Flowers.

Just outside the top 9
#10 Jack Dillion
#11 Paulino Uzcudun
#12 Kid Norfolk
#13 Fred Fulton

They aren't super specific rating as all can beat each other. But that's where he ranks.

The premier Heavyweight battle would be Uzcundun vs Fred Fulton. They go back & fourth with each winning.

The Premier Lightheavyweight battle is Jack Dillion vs Kid Norfolk. They go back & fourth with each winning.