Who was in your estimation the greatest HW to never become lineal

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Gazelle Punch, Apr 1, 2019.


  1. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    try and give me your top two and why? I’ll kick it off (May change my mind depending on others answers just thought of the topic).
    In no order
    V Klitschko May have been champ if not for a cut. Boasted an impressive KO percentage and chin not to mention resume.
    Archie Moore many don’t think of him as great HW but he was. Boasted an impressive resume fighting HW at the average age of 39 fighting most men in their primes. One of the most brilliant boxers ever who changed the game. Unfortunately a less then stellar chin.
     
    Gazelle Punch, Apr 1, 2019
    Gazelle Punch, Apr 1, 2019
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  2. SheenLantern

    SheenLantern Active Member Full Member

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    Gotta go with Teofilo Stevenson
     
    SheenLantern, Apr 1, 2019
    SheenLantern, Apr 1, 2019
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  3. Dubblechin

    Dubblechin Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Can't name one. To date: Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Ken Norton ... with Mercer, Morrison, Thomas and Witherspoon on a lower level.

    Vitali Klitschko was actually named the RING champion when he beat Corrie Sanders for the vacant WBC title when Lennox Lewis retired. So, arguably, he was briefly the Lineal champ for one fight, until he retired.

    There was a lot of controversy around giving Vitali the Ring belt because Ring changed its policy before that fight to recognize fights between the #1 and #3 contender instead of the typical #1 vs #2 contender, as was always the case when a title was declared vacant.

    If you don't count Vitali, then put Vitali ahead of Joshua and Wilder. But Vitali was presented with the Ring Championship belt. Guys who receive that have historically been considered the Lineal champ.

    Nobody else I mentioned - Joshua, Wilder, Norton, etc. - received the Ring belt.
     
    Dubblechin, Apr 1, 2019
    Dubblechin, Apr 1, 2019
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  4. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Good to know about Vitali I’ve seen others claim he was never really lineal. Saw people claim Anthony Joshua is though because of Fury’s retirement so I suppose the debates rage on
     
    Gazelle Punch, Apr 1, 2019
    Gazelle Punch, Apr 1, 2019
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  5. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Greatest, Peter Jackson then Harry Wills

    Best, I'm not so sure about.

    I do think it only makes sense to consider retired fighters.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Apr 1, 2019
    BitPlayerVesti, Apr 1, 2019
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