Which fighters won the Championship without beating a top ten contender on the way up. And yet had a respectible title run.
Kevin Rooney was 15-0, while Joseph Nsubuga acquitted himself honorably in losing to Duran. Although neither had ever won a bout scheduled for more than eight rounds, do we know for sure that neither had cracked the top ten when Moore stopped them? (I remember that Rooney in particular was gaining some notice at the time, and it hadn't been that long since Ali-Evangelista.)
Jeff Fenech IBF Bantamweight Jeff Fenech WBC super Bantanweight Jeff Fenech WBC Featherweight I'd like some proof otherwise... Manny Pacquaio in a few cases.
Were any of Leon Spinks' opponents ranked when he fought them? I know he drew with fringe guy Scott Ledoux and beat some dude I had never heard of with a 27-0 record from Italy, but I don't know if any of these guys were ranked. EDIT: of course I just noticed the second half of the question which was " and had a respectable title reign", so that eliminates Leon.
Little Pedro Flores,,,,,,,,,,who upset Yoko Gushiken for the Light Flyweight Title. Flores had given Yoko Gushiken a good fight earlier, when he was called in as a late-replacement fighter. On Leon Spinks,,,,,,,,Scott LeDoux maybe have been Rated #14, and Italian Alfio Righetti was Rated #10.
Pipino Cuevas went from losing to Andy "The Hawk" Price to beating Angel Espada a month later for the WBA WW title in his 21st fight. Doubtful if any of his previous victories were over Top Ten fighters.
