How would you rank these names David Tua Andrew Golota Alexander Povetkin Michael Grant Frans Botha Earnie Shavers Dereck Chisora Axel Schulz
Shavers lost to Lyle and Quarry, who both deserve mention. Lyle Quarry Ruddock Cooney (yeah, I said it) Ibeabucchi Cleveland Williams Jimmy Bivans And, if you want to include the colored champs (who I consider world champs) Peter Jackson Sam Langford Harry Wills George Godfrey Larry Gains
Golota stands out as someone who had the chances and ability to win one but things went pear shaped. Povetkin peaked as a pro the same time Wlad was so dominant otherwise surely he would have won and defended belts. Tua needed an opening against someone not named Lennox Lewis. In the time I've been following Heavyweights Golota is the one who I expected would win a belt but didn't.
Ron Lyle Jimmy Young Cleveland Williams, Zora Folley, Eddie Machen - all arguably deserved a shot at Patterson/Johanson