Which heavyweight champions fought the best fighter on the planet most often.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by McGrain, Mar 27, 2023.



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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Jeffries wasn't the lineal champ or the number one contender.
     
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    #76
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    That is a bullseye, and pulls Liston of the losing list.
     
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    #77
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  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    And that is definitely Ring?
     
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    #78
  4. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He had retired as lineal champion, just like Louis and Ali.
     
    Bokaj, Mar 28, 2023
    Bokaj, Mar 28, 2023
    #79
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Yes, but a new lineage had been established in the interim, unlike Louis and Ali.
     
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    #80
  6. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ok, wasn't Charles recognised by all the relevant orgs (Holmes of course wasn't)? Was there anyone else with a claim besides Charles before Louis made the comeback?
     
    Bokaj, Mar 28, 2023
    Bokaj, Mar 28, 2023
    #81
  7. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    I believe technically not. I think the NYSAC was for some reason vacant until the Louis fight. So you are correct that no one else had a claim, however.
     
    Rumsfeld, Mar 28, 2023
    Rumsfeld, Mar 28, 2023
    #82
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  8. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    There was a full on schism, in fact.

    The answer, basically, is no.

    But that doesn't matter for the purposes of this thread, being honest.
     
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 28, 2023
    #83
  9. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yeah, I got this from Boxrec "Entering the fight, Charles was recognized as the Heavyweight Champion of the World only by the National Boxing Association. After defeating Louis, all except the British Boxing Board of Control recognized Charles as champion."

    So, yes, a new lineage doesn't seem to have been established before.
     
    Bokaj, Mar 28, 2023
    Bokaj, Mar 28, 2023
    #84
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  10. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    I still stand by what I said earlier about Jackson, Ezzard, and Larry, although I likewise realize McGrain is approaching this exercise differently.

    But with Larry and Ezzard (and even with Jack Johnson when you factor in a greater context) - those are all examples of a new champion solidifying his status by beating a retired champion who returned to action having never lost his distinction inside the ring.
     
    Rumsfeld, Mar 28, 2023
    Rumsfeld, Mar 28, 2023
    #85
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  11. Finkel

    Finkel Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I like your list.

    Personally, in the context of this list, I don't see any issue with benefiting from a "weak champion", Douglas still beat Tyson, and Rahman still beat Lewis.

    On the other side of the coin, Joe Louis benefited from a "defacto" number 1 contender. Galento was Ring #1, Louis beats him, 3 months later Louis beats Pastor.
     
    Finkel, Mar 28, 2023
    Finkel, Mar 28, 2023
    #86
  12. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Last edited: Mar 28, 2023
    Dubblechin, Mar 28, 2023
    Dubblechin, Mar 28, 2023
    #87
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  13. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Bokaj, Mar 29, 2023
    Bokaj, Mar 29, 2023
    #88
  14. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    No, it's absolutely fine (for the purposes of this discussion) that Wlad was ranked below that when he met Byrd, the number one is the number one. I'll have a rummage around TBRB tonight for a look at Pulev, but either way this is a nice lift for Wladimir.
     
    McGrain, Mar 29, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 29, 2023
    #89
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  15. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    McGrain, Mar 29, 2023
    McGrain, Mar 29, 2023
    #90
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