Which boxer got three or more title tries in one weight and lost before winning it (or never winning

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by AntonioMartin1, Nov 14, 2025.


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  1. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Not including those who won it on their third try.

    I'll start:
    Yaqui Lopez at Light Heavyweught.
     
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 14, 2025
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 14, 2025
    #1
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  2. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Almost Howard Davis Jr. Two at lightweight and one at Jr Welter.
     
    catchwtboxing, Nov 14, 2025
    catchwtboxing, Nov 14, 2025
    #2
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  3. USFBulls727

    USFBulls727 Active Member Full Member

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    Marcos Villasana won a Featherweight belt on his 5th try vs. Paul Hodkinson. Prior to that, he lost to Azumah Nelson twice, Jeff Fenech, and Drew with Antonio Esparragoza in title fights, all at Featherweight.
     
    USFBulls727, Nov 14, 2025
    USFBulls727, Nov 14, 2025
    #3
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  4. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Joe Walcott lost four times in heavyweight title tries before winning it: twice to Ezzard Charles and twice to Joe Louis.
     
    Saintpat, Nov 14, 2025
    Saintpat, Nov 14, 2025
    #4
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  5. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Gabe Rosado recently I believe.
     
    ETM, Nov 14, 2025
    ETM, Nov 14, 2025
    #5
  6. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    My former namesake! He is one of two Venezuelans forgotten by the ibhof, unfairly, I should say, the other one being Betulio Gonzalez, himself a loser to yet another Latino forgotten by the ibhof, Argentina's Santos Laciar!
     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2025
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 14, 2025
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 14, 2025
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  7. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Howard Winstone at FW. All against the same fighter.
     
    Greg Price99, Nov 14, 2025
    Greg Price99, Nov 14, 2025
    #7
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  8. thistle

    thistle Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Herol Graham.
     
    thistle, Nov 14, 2025
    thistle, Nov 14, 2025
    #8
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  9. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Yes I remember that! Vicente Saldivar!

    I questioned as a kid and still do, if Saldivar went up 2-0 and then 3-0, why did the promoters think the public would want a third or fourth fight?

    Then I remember this was the 1950s...lol when Robinson and LaMotta went 6 fights even through, by fight 4 at 3-1 it was clear Roby was the better one!
     
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 14, 2025
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 14, 2025
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  10. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    One of my favorite non champions, Argentina's Jorge Ahumada!!!
     
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 14, 2025
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 14, 2025
    #10
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  11. Fireman Fred

    Fireman Fred Active Member Full Member

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    I really didn´t like Graham´s style when I got into boxing, preferred Sibson, Kaylor, Errol Christie and a little later Benn/Watson/Eubank.

    I warmed to him and started to appreciate his skills on his comeback especially when he completely destroyed touted undefeated prospect Chris Johnson.

    Really wanted him to beat Charles Brewer, he was so close but his legs didn´t have it anymore in the later rounds and got caught.

    Still can´t believe Herol dropped him twice whilst Calzaghe later on couldn´t do it once in a fierce brawl over the full 12 rounds!
     
    Fireman Fred, Nov 15, 2025 at 1:10 AM
    Fireman Fred, Nov 15, 2025 at 1:10 AM
    #11
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  12. PrimoGT

    PrimoGT Active Member Full Member

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    Frank Bruno
     
    PrimoGT, Nov 15, 2025 at 2:23 AM
    PrimoGT, Nov 15, 2025 at 2:23 AM
    #12
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  13. Fireman Fred

    Fireman Fred Active Member Full Member

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    German Torres

    Lost 4 title tilts to 2 brilliant fighters, Hilario Zapata (once) and Jung Koo Chang in 3 slugfests.

    Finally won the crown at the 5th time of asking.

    Unfortunately lost it in his 1st defence.

    A real road warrior too , won 9 bouts in Japan and 2 bouts in South Korea including his coveted World title victory.
     
    Fireman Fred, Nov 15, 2025 at 2:54 AM
    Fireman Fred, Nov 15, 2025 at 2:54 AM
    #13
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  14. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Herol was a contender for the longest of times! it seemed to me he was number 1 on Boxing Illustrated magazine for the rest of his life! LOl

    The thing about boxing is we want to see a war. To some, Herol;s and Hector Camacho and Charlie Burley's and Ivan Calderon's style may seem boring at first but once you realize it really is genius you warm up to it.

    I do think Herol would not beat any of the five kings at Junior Middleweight or Middleweight, with the possible exception of Roberto Duran, but they are a super tall order for anyone. Against the Buster Draytons and Mark Medals and Carlos Santos of the day, Herol would have won a world title i think.

    its a shame good ol Herol did not claim a world title. But so it is with kid Azteca, Pedro Montanez, mexican Joe Rovers, Tamy Mauriello, Bob Pastor, Sibbo, Dai Davies and a lot of other great ones who were born i n the wrong era, Fred!

    Such is life!
     
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 15, 2025 at 3:31 AM
    AntonioMartin1, Nov 15, 2025 at 3:31 AM
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  15. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    Armando Muniz at welterweight - 4 unsuccessful title tries.

    Lost twice to Jose Napoles and then twice to Carlos Palomino.
     
    Jel, Nov 15, 2025 at 4:24 AM
    Jel, Nov 15, 2025 at 4:24 AM
    #15
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