Heavyweight Champs' opponents on run in to title

phil · Post by **phil** » 06 Mar 2002, 06:38

What with Audley Harrison's next "opponent" being named, which Heavyweight (in this post) Champion do you think has had the easiest start to a career? First 15 fights perhaps.
On the contrary, whoi has had the hardest?

I have printed out ALI's, Frazier's, Foreman's, Norton,s and Holmes' records with the records of their opponents. Of course, some will be incomplete,e.g Larry Holmes fought Bob Yarborough in 1975. This was Holmes 13th fight. Did Yarborough only fight once between 1969 and 1974? Why did he fight him at this stage? I assume all th echamps have been guilty at some stage.......but Audley.....

Phil

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 06 Mar 2002, 08:56

I think most pro's start the way Harrison has, look at Lewis' first five fights and none of his opponents had winning records at the time, in his seventh fight he fought Noel Quarless, it what was Quarless last fight, but Quarless had fought Eliminators in for the British Heavyweight Title.

Looking at todays British Heavy's apart from Williams, I don't see much standing in the way of Audley's claim to be British Champ within 10 fights! Sprott, Ellis, Holden, Llewellyn aren't exactly world beaters and Francis must be about to retire.

On the subject of first few fights Bruno fought someone called Gibbs (4th fight) who hasn't got any other fights on Boxrec apart from that one, anyone know anymore about him?

Speak to you soon

Kev

phil · Post by **phil** » 06 Mar 2002, 09:58

I've amended it Kevin - it should have read Ron Gibbs from USA.

Phil

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 06 Mar 2002, 11:28

Thanks Phil, I knew with your knowledge of the Heavies that you'd know the answer

Cheers
Kev

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 07 Mar 2002, 13:36

bruno knocked out abdul muhaymin(then known as tommy stevenson)in his 2nd fight, and no one can knockout muhaymin these days and hes well into his 40s!!

but yes audleys opponents are a bit soft, except for derek mccafferty, who was a respectable choice for a man having only his 2nd fight.

i wish audley would fight regularly.

oh and noel qualrless was mentioned. he didnt only fight in british heavy eliminators-- he also beat the shell of big john tate, which merits a mention!

Roaring · Post by **Roaring** » 09 Jul 2002, 14:48

phil wrote:What with Audley Harrison's next "opponent" being named, which Heavyweight (in this post) Champion do you think has had the easiest start to a career? First 15 fights perhaps.
On the contrary, whoi has had the hardest?

I have printed out ALI's, Frazier's, Foreman's, Norton,s and Holmes' records with the records of their opponents. Of course, some will be incomplete,e.g Larry Holmes fought Bob Yarborough in 1975. This was Holmes 13th fight. Did Yarborough only fight once between 1969 and 1974? Why did he fight him at this stage? I assume all th echamps have been guilty at some stage.......but Audley.....

Phil

If you count Shannon Briggs as world champ (Linear) look at his first 15 opponents.Worst than h-bomb's.