The last great contender

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by scartissue, Oct 29, 2013.


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  1. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Years ago there was always a great contender that missed out at a world crown due to not receiving a shot or a fighter losing to a great champion, etc. We don't have a Billy Graham, Charley Burley, Bennie Briscoe, Jesus Pimental, etc. anymore because in todays world everyone receives a title shot and if you don't win that one, go for the next one against an easier champ. Everybody is champ today. So, my question is: who are the last great contenders who never won the world title in each weight? I'll get the ball rolling by saying David Tua at heavy and Oba Carr at welter. Of course the term great is subjective.
     
    scartissue, Oct 29, 2013
    scartissue, Oct 29, 2013
    #1
  2. African Cobra

    African Cobra The Right Honourable Lord President of the Council banned Full Member

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    Oba Carr got shots at the world unfortunately the champions were beasts.
     
    African Cobra, Oct 29, 2013
    African Cobra, Oct 29, 2013
    #2
  3. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yaqui Lopez, possibly Elijiro Murata.
     
    Titan1, Oct 29, 2013
    Titan1, Oct 29, 2013
    #3
  4. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Got to mention me dad. 3 shots against Harada, Rose and Olivares, all prime(average age 21) with a combined 126-5-1.
    Pimentel was unlucky with 2 shots falling through at the last minute against Jofre and Harada and the 3rd coming past his best against Olivares.
    Ruben Castillo and Mitsunori Seki deserve a mention.
     
    AlFrancis, Oct 29, 2013
    AlFrancis, Oct 29, 2013
    #4
  5. bladerunner

    bladerunner El Intocable Full Member

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    Michael Watson
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    bladerunner, Oct 29, 2013
    bladerunner, Oct 29, 2013
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  6. Vinegar Hill

    Vinegar Hill Guest

    Did a perennial challenger ever have tougher assignments than your Dad Al? Harada, Rose and Olivares all away from home and 1 loss combined amongst all three.

    It's incredible how well he did and I remember there was a consensus that he should have got the decision against Rose besides running Harada very close.
    It's unfortunate he ran into the wrecking machine that was Olivares but I don 't think there 's any doubt he'd be a champion today.
     
    Vinegar Hill, Oct 29, 2013
    Vinegar Hill, Oct 29, 2013
    #6
  7. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Cheers mate, he was unlucky to be about at that time but that's how it was back then. World champ actually meant world champ. He always used to say no regrets but he did tell me once that not actually being able to call yourself world champ he felt made a difference to how he'd be remembered.
     
    AlFrancis, Oct 29, 2013
    AlFrancis, Oct 29, 2013
    #7
  8. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Outstanding choices by all. Al, when you mentioned Castillo and Seki at feather it got my mind thinking. There was one outstanding who came after them and that was Bernard Taylor. Who do we have at light and jr. welter?
     
    scartissue, Oct 29, 2013
    scartissue, Oct 29, 2013
    #8
  9. Foxy 01

    Foxy 01 Boxing Junkie banned

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    Mike McCallum.
     
    Foxy 01, Oct 29, 2013
    Foxy 01, Oct 29, 2013
    #9
  10. Anubis

    Anubis Boxing Addict

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    Best never to receive a title shot? Aside from the Murderer's Row members who didn't get an opportunity, there were a number of Hagler era MWs who couldn't get past the USBA or NABF championship level.

    Harry Wills comes to mind, as well as other Jack Johnson era color line victims [who remained color line victims because of Lil' Artha's "In your face!" conduct].

    Not sure Packey McFarland can be topped here though.

    In recent times, where does Ibeabuchi fit in? Never defeated before self destructing, and it seems bizarre to me he didn't get a shot after Tua.
     
    Anubis, Oct 29, 2013
    Anubis, Oct 29, 2013
    #10
  11. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Anubis, you're missing it here, dude. It's the most recent outstanding contender not to win a world title. Ibeabuchi is a great shout though.
     
    scartissue, Oct 29, 2013
    scartissue, Oct 29, 2013
    #11
  12. Anubis

    Anubis Boxing Addict

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    Well, at least I hit the outer rim of the dartboard with Ibeabuchi. [I just closed my eyes with several projectiles in my hand, and threw them in the direction I thought the target was, most of em wound up buried in the ceiling and floor.]

    Does Mickey Ward fit in here somehow?
     
    Anubis, Oct 29, 2013
    Anubis, Oct 29, 2013
    #12
  13. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think Mickey's a great shout. I had been thinking Ronnie Shields or Frankie ****** but Mickey came after them. He eventually did win something like a WBU or something against Shea Neary, and that's exactly what I'm talking about. These guys today can just cherry-pick to win a title. I don't give many of these title much credence and certainly not the WBU, but Mickey's a good solid contender.
     
    scartissue, Oct 30, 2013
    scartissue, Oct 30, 2013
    #13
  14. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    It's hard to pick a recent one because it seems all the recent top contenders have managed to bag some sort of "title". :huh
     
    AlFrancis, Oct 30, 2013
    AlFrancis, Oct 30, 2013
    #14
  15. AlFrancis

    AlFrancis Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Kenny Lane!
     
    AlFrancis, Oct 30, 2013
    AlFrancis, Oct 30, 2013
    #15
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