Which fighters have beaten the most world champions in the various weight divisions?

Going just by names Holyfield´s actually more impressive. But Holmes, Foreman and Tyson were quite a bit removed from their primes, Douglas showed up in a pityful shape, he also lost once to Moorer and twice to Bowe.

For Louis, Sharkey was also at the end of his career, he also lost to Schmeling, Carnera and Braddock are probably the worst of those 12 fighters, tied with Douglas. Still I´d give Louis´ the slight edge overall due to the impressive destructions of Baer and Schmeling in the rematch.

The best win of those might me Holy´s over Bowe though.

 

There were lots of mediocre or outright poor lineal champs in the past too. For every Joe Louis you will have Sharkey, Carnera, Baer and Braddock to fill space in the lineage.

 

The possibility of poor fighters becoming champ is higher when there are four belts per weightclass than one. Just look at all weightlcasses today.

 

Every one of those guys earned their title shot and defeated the previous lineal champion.

I would absolutely consider them head and shoulders above a modern day beltholder.

 

You're right... Holmes, Foreman, Tyson and Bowe are awesome names to have on your résumé! But of course Holmes and Foreman were light-years away from their primes - and Tyson (on hindsight) at least a bit.

As for Louis' wins over Baer and Schmeling... well, as I mentioned in another thread not long ago, the Baer fight is just about the most impressive performance I can think of in all of boxing. And the Schmeling demolition isn't far behind! So yes, the edge must go to Louis.

 

Still a lot of divisions left - and I wouldn't be surprised, if newly-inducted IBHOF member Memphis Pal Moore is our top man at bantam, with wins over 5 lineal champions:

Joe Lynch
Bud Taylor
Johnny Duff
Pete Herman
Kid Williams

I'm far from sure... but as for the remaining divisions, I would be surprised if anyone has defeated 5 (or more!) lineal champions.

 

Jimmy McLarnin, beat:
Fidel LaBarba
Pancho Villa
Sammy Mandell
Benny Leonard
Al Singer
Young Corbett 111
Barney Ross
Tony Canzoneri
Lou Ambers
NINE Hall of Famers...Not bad .....

 

And that's not all... he beat the following 5 HOFers as well:
Billy Petrolle
Ruby Goldstein
Louis Kaplan
Bud Taylor
Jackie Fields

... which brings his total to 13 (Singer is not a HOFer). Greb is the only other boxer, who has defeated 13 HOFers.

 

As a referee.

 

Armstrong beat 10:

Midget Wolgast
Baby Arizmendi (x3)
Benny Bass
Chalky Wright
Barney Ross
Lou Ambers
Lew Jenkins (x2)
Fritzie Zivic
Sammy Angott
Pedro Montanez

 

Ali beat 7

Five Heavyweight Champions
Sonny Liston
Joe Frazier
George Foreman
Floyd Patterson
Leon Spinks

Two Lightheavyweight champions
Archie Moore
Bob Foster