Worst career win % of a world Heavyweight title challenger?

[deadpan]

Audley's 27-4 equates to 87%, which frankly in an era of protecting fighters to get a title shot is really rather low.

Oliver McCall was 24-5 when facing Lennox, which is 83%.

Bonecrusher Smith was 18-5 when he challenged Witherspoon, which is 78%. But he had already challenged Larry Holmes when he was 14-1.

Henry Cooper was 33-11-1 when he faced Ali, which is 73%

Brian London was 35-13 when he faced Ali which is just below 73%


Can anyone think of worse ones? I bet Joe Louis fought some.

[Jeff Thomas]

James Braddock- and he was champ

[dondada]

Of course, the anomaly is Pete Rademacher, who had zero wins (or losses).

[black panther]

There are lies, damned lies and statistics.

[deadpan]

Didn't Braddock win a spurious version of the title?

[deadpan]

Completely off topic, but the Rademacher reference reminds me of Rocky 4. If Drago had been allowed to go from the amateur game (quote Henry Cooper) to a 15 round fight against the reigning world champion, wouldn't it have reeked of a callous mismatch? Regardless of Apollo's plight.

Yes, I'm questioning the reality of the Rocky films.

[Lenny]

Jesse Ferguson was 19-9 when he fought Bowe after beating Mercer - 68%

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Mike Weaver - I haven't looked but his record was patchy. Geroge Chuvalo had quite a few losses on his resume on each of his world title fights and was thinking of retirement as early as 1963. I am sure Tommy Burns will have fought a few fighters who had patchy records.

[deadpan]

Jesse Ferguson!

Great call.

[keithmoonhangover]

Freddie Pendleton. 24-18-3 when he got his shot at Pernell.

And he went on to win the IBF title later in his career.

Oops. Didn't read the Heavyweight bit.

[stujones]

Tim Tomashek (never heard of him either) was 35 - 10 when he fought Tommy Morrison for the WBO title.

[keithmoonhangover]

Johnny Davis Fought Joe Louis when he was 3-3, It was recongnised as a world title fight in New York.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Johnny Davis Fought Joe Louis when he was 3-3, It was recongnised as a world title fight in New York.

Did you actually know that or did you take a skem on the database?

[keithmoonhangover]

Johnny Davis Fought Joe Louis when he was 3-3, It was recongnised as a world title fight in New York.

Did you actually know that or did you take a skem on the database?

I looked on the database!!! Does that make me a cheater?

N.B. My late father was a huge Louis fan and he had mentioned something, but I couldn't remember the guys name.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Johnny Davis Fought Joe Louis when he was 3-3, It was recongnised as a world title fight in New York.

Did you actually know that or did you take a skem on the database?

I looked on the database!!! Does that make me a cheater?

Yeah it does... The database makes an expert out of most people.

[jonp]

Fireman Jim Flynns career win percentage was only 54 percent when he fought jack johnson but having 15 draws doesnt help.

just realised Flynn fought tommy burns and win perccentage then was 48 percent

[DavidPayne]

Technically, as Ian said, Rademacher is untouchable as the answer. 0%.

[funso banjo baby]

is this just audley bashing ?

whats the point of this thread

Audley has reversed two losses

and bonecrusher and Mccall both beat the champs !!!!

[tsmithy50]

Audley bashing would have the thread title - Mostly unworthey title challenger ever.

[Smigga]

I think it's unfair to compare the likes of Cooper etc - Back then records weren't that precious(Marciano aside)

[deadpan]

Very true Smigga.

And champions fought more than twice a year.

Even so though, Brian London? Crikey.

[Old bones Ian]

Questionable challenger Tony Ross was 11-6-2 when he fought Jack Johnson, but this is a dodgy challenge as it was over 6 rounds!!

[Crease]

Audley's 27-4 equates to 87%, which frankly in an era of protecting fighters to get a title shot is really rather low.

That's a fuckin' joke that is.

Plus, Audley has not fought ANY of the top Heavyweight contenders...
No Povetkin or Chambers or any other top 20 HW in his resume.

[Jeff Thomas]

Didn't Braddock win a spurious version of the title?

Please tell me your joking.

[LeedsLad]

Does anyone really count the WBO anyway?