The best fighters ever to be beaten for a title?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by McGrain, Dec 1, 2010.


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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Who are they?

    It's more difficult than it sounds...obvious examples are in the HW division where Ali and Louis were never beaten for the HW title whilst in anything like their primes. Sugar Ray was never beaten for the WW title. Who were the best fighters to ever be seperated from their titles in the ring?
     
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2010
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2010
    #1
  2. Kalasinn

    Kalasinn ♧ OG Kally ♤ Full Member

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    Peak Holyfield, who lost the Undisputed Title in a tremendous display of legendary moxy in his awe-inspiring attempt to defend it against Peak Bowe in their first brutal war in '92.

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPdmAI30oOs[/ame]


    "Evander Holyfield has got a heart" ~ George Foreman

    "If he weighs 205, his hearts weighs about 204." ~ Larry Merchant
     
    Kalasinn, Dec 1, 2010
    Kalasinn, Dec 1, 2010
    #2
  3. Lights Out

    Lights Out Active Member Full Member

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    Sugar Ray Leonard beat Wilfredo Benetiz for the 147 title. This is also were he did he best work IMO overall (Benetiz)
    . He turned out to be one of Puerto Rico's finest and while he was capable of having a of day I certainly consider him a great fighter. Great win for Leonard.

    While I'm talking about this I might as well say I believe Benetiz''s win over Antonio Cervantes (wider scores than the judges had in reality) is one of any boxers greatest achievements. Benetiz was 17 years old taking on a guy with 4 times many more fights than him who was a excellent champ with many defences on his belt. Simply amazing achievement to me and while Cervantes was not great in context, it certainly is to me. I like watching certain defensive fighters, its a shame he could be so underwhelming to watch really.
     
    Lights Out, Dec 1, 2010
    Lights Out, Dec 1, 2010
    #3
  4. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

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    Maybe its to early and Im not understanding this one right..but Olivares?

    At his peak he was capable of being virtually unbeatable at 118..very, very few get past him. But he was beaten in his peak because he didnt feel it necessary to come in at peak condition in all of his fights.
     
    WhataRock, Dec 1, 2010
    WhataRock, Dec 1, 2010
    #4
  5. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    pep was past prime due to his plane crash but we should still rank saddler's demolition of him as amongst the best ever.

    jimmy carter beating ike williams (weight drained and undertrained and all) for the lightweight title was also incredible
     
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    #5
  6. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Thats hard because you'll always get the 'he wasn't at his prime, he didn't train, he pooped himself in the ring' brigade

    But lets think:

    Robinson-Turpin
    Leonard/Duran 1&2 (maybe both were prime....)
    Leonard-Hearns
    Leonard-Hagler
    Ali-Frazier 1 (maybe Ali was prime....)
    Greb-O'Dowd
    Armstrong-Ambers 2
    Pep-Saddler
    Lewis-McCall 1
    Tyson-Douglas
     
    PowerPuncher, Dec 1, 2010
    PowerPuncher, Dec 1, 2010
    #6
  7. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    really good post pp but the highlighted ones i feel are bang on
     
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    #7
  8. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    jofre-harada
     
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    #8
  9. Davro

    Davro u wnt sum i`ll give it ya Full Member

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    tszyu losing to hatton. He fought a great fight but hatton was just possessed that night....
     
    Davro, Dec 1, 2010
    Davro, Dec 1, 2010
    #9
  10. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    zoo though was faded a bit by that time...
     
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    #10
  11. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    He was on good defensive form and his usual physical self in the fight before against Mitchell though:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzwOxTqzKWU[/ame]

    I think that Kostya fought in a way that made him vulnerable to Hatton. Prodded a bit with the jab, and in keeping with his kind, he was very very firm about fighting at his own pace.
     
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2010
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2010
    #11
  12. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    mitchell though, by that point, i don't think was the force many thought he was. he was a quick fight, no more no less. and quick fighters like that will always make a brilliant timer like zoo look good

    barney ross vs armstrong (for another nomination)
     
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    #12
  13. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Quick fighters have a tendancy to make stalking punchers look terrible, not good.
     
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2010
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2010
    #13
  14. Jorodz

    Jorodz watching Gatti Ward 1... Full Member

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    typically, but with the timing that zoo had...look what happened to judah, he got destroyed in two rounds. and mitchell was nowhere near the talent of zab
     
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    Jorodz, Dec 1, 2010
    #14
  15. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I agree that Mitchell wasn't as talented as Zab, but I also feel that Kostya is not a better timing puncher than Joe Louis. Louis was made to look foolish for stretches against the quickest guys he faced, Conn, Walcott.

    The puncher looks foolish for stretches, regardless, because what he's timing just isn't there when he "lands". Kostya's something of a shepherd in this regard, he pushes and cuts, but this is still his hardest style. And he does look foolish here, even after the first KD of the last round, he struggles to land the right even when he tucks it in with the jab. He just knows his job, that's all.

    But his speed is still in tact, and some of the evasion he shows is world-class. He is also still the bull up close, handles his man. He may have been the wrong age to match the Hatton style, but like I say, he had certain stylistic and technical shortcomings that mean Hatton would always have been tough for him.
     
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2010
    McGrain, Dec 1, 2010
    #15
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