The worst fighters to get title shots? past or present

An interesting thing that I'd like to bring up, is what about Johnny Davis? His record was 3-3 when Louis fought him. The strange thing is, that he is commonly mentioned as being more or less an exhibition fight for Louis. Would this count as a legitimate title defense? The reason I ask, is because if the answer is no, then wouldn't Louis only have 24 defenses instead of 25? On the otherhand, if the answer is yes, then wouldn't a man with a record of 3-3 THEN be considered his worst?

EDIT : I have just answered my own question. Johnny Davis was not a legit title defense, and nor does this subtract from Louis's 25 defense list. If we ad Davis, that actually makes for 26 opponents that he faced during his career.

 

Ray Austin

 

I brought up Jack Finnegan (1-2-2) for Jeffries previously in this thread and seems like the situation was comparable to the Louis-Davis fight. Basically an exhibition, which was recognized as a legit title defense in the state that the fight was held in.

 

To me it was undeserving. Why should a guy coming off of two consecutive DQ losses, get a title shot? Golota hadnt beaten anyone of note, he didnt win in the Bowe fights, and clearly showed he was a loose cannon by fouling out in two consecutive fights because Bowe wouldnt fold.

 

Scott Frank undefeated,so much for records

 

chap i am thinking of fought calzaghe tocker pudwill

 

Jean-Pierre Coopman, against Ali for the heavyweight title, may well have been THE WORST.

George Foreman in 1994, Andrew Golota (in 1997 against Lewis), Leon Spinks and Peter Rademacher were particularly UNDESERVING.

 

Jessa Feliciano...fought Cintron for the IBF...well Cintron should never have had a belt anyway so that was just all around bad

 

:bart:bart:bart
how the **** did santana manage to pull those off is beyond me? terry was jobbed like a mother****er in those bouts before rightfully destroying him in the 3rd fight

 

yeah he did.... hes still no higher then a journeyman though. whats his record at these days? he had a decent punch but most importantly a hard freaking head. Jesse is alwyas fun to watch fight, he may not be in tip top shape but he brings it everytime regardless. Cintron broke his damn hand on that noggin

 

Scott Clark was 29-1 at the time, but had faced wretched opposition, and was pretty underserving of the title shot he received against Pipino Cuevas. It's not a surprise that he got blasted out in two as a result.

I'd say Aquilies Guzman desrves a mention, given that he was 6-5-3 when he fought Yong Kang Kim, but the thing is....He defeated the reigning champion in the latter's backyard and won a pretty comprehensive decision in the process. So even the bad fighters can have good days, I guess.

 

If Johnny Davis had beaten Louis he would have been the champion.

The event was conceived as an exhibition but the local state athletic comission refused to sanction it unless the title was on the line. With little risk of loosing to Davis, Louis chose to go ahead rather than cancel the event.

 

Peter Manfredo Jnr. was no where near ready or a title shot especially against 10 year reigning champ Joe Calzaghe. It showed wen they got in the ring and Manfredo was stopped early without showing much offence.

 

What Thomas did to warant a title shot is that he lost to Max Schmeling.

After Louis's own loss to Schmeling he started picking off every oponent who Schmeling fought trying to knock them out in quicker time. This was intended to solidify his title claim.