bst HW nvr to win a world title

[dougie-boyjr]

Alot has been made of the k-bros as good as both are, I think we could an should have had a far better fighter from Europe in Andrew Golota, the golota that fought bowe was far an away better than both k-bros far more skillful an could have been a real force if he had his head screwed on, it was golota that retired bowe he was destroying bowe in both fights then hit the self destruction button why he did that I will nvr know people go on about shavers, bugner, cooney, tua etc were the best HWs nvr to win a world title but for me it has to be golota what a wasted talent he had all the tools another guy was fraudley harrison 6ft 7 18 st southpaw just nvr had the mental toughness like golota before him like to hear your veiws

[Broomhall]

Alot has been made of the k-bros as good as both are, I think we could an should have had a far better fighter from Europe in Andrew Golota, the golota that fought bowe was far an away better than both k-bros far more skillful an could have been a real force if he had his head screwed on, it was golota that retired bowe he was destroying bowe in both fights then hit the self destruction button why he did that I will nvr know people go on about shavers, bugner, cooney, tua etc were the best HWs nvr to win a world title but for me it has to be golota what a wasted talent he had all the tools another guy was fraudley harrison 6ft 7 18 st southpaw just nvr had the mental toughness like golota before him like to hear your veiws

I dont think you can seperate fighters qualities and say if they didnt do this or didnt do that, they are what they are. many fighters have tremendous natural ability but lack mental toughness like Harrison, others make the most of what they have like Marciano. In every division there are fighters who blow the talent they have-drugs, alcohol, women-or just lack of moral fibre-but it is that focus which often makes great fighters great.

Golota was fun, but I can think of a lot better guys-Jerry Quarry was a better boxer, George Chuvalo was tougher, then there are guys like Jimmy Young, Gerry Cooney and Ron lyle who I think would also have outgunned Golota.

[HomicideHenry]

Alot of greats who came down the pipe... but Sam Langford does it for me.

[Tomasino]

Alot of greats who came down the pipe... but Sam Langford does it for me.

Harry Willls too. If Sam had have held the title, at some point it would have passed to Wills.

[Crease]

There have been a coupleof very good Heavyweights who never won the World Heavyweight title, I'd throw Jerry Quarry & Henry Cooper in to the mix as well.

[HomicideHenry]

Alot of greats who came down the pipe... but Sam Langford does it for me.

Harry Willls too. If Sam had have held the title, at some point it would have passed to Wills.

That was Langford's kryptonite, for sure. Everyone has at least ONE guy who gives them nothing but problems.

Then again, Wills was nearly a foot taller and outweighed Langford by 40-50 pounds. But that would be a disservice to Wills all around abilities--- for he was most certainly the most agile 'giant' of his time, in a time when most hulks were plodders and relied strictly on their brute strength to win fights. Guys like that, Langford ate for breakfast. But if the monster sized heavy could move, and box--- Langford had problems.

Anyways... as far as heavyweights in the passed fifty years or so, I would argue that the best heavyweight to never win a world title (I'm assuming a lineal championship) is probably Ray Mercer, even if he was for a time the WBO champion. Or one could argue, that the man with the best all around resume in the passed 20-30 years could very well of been David Tua with as many top notch victims on his win column. I always was a fan of Quarry and Bonavena though, the latter who I feel may be the most under rated heavyweight of the 70s. Quarry, though, had more chances than anyone else of the 70s in my view to of made it, and he never could get over the next hump.

[cjdragon]

I definitely agree about Golota, wow how things could have been different had he kept his head during the Bowe fights.
I disagree that he was more skilled than either Wlad. Klitschko or Vitali though.
But yeah no doubt Golota had talent...a shame he didn't have the right mindset.

Lets see, aside from the obvious classic contenders like Shavers, Quarry, etc...I'd go with Mercer (as HomicideHenry mentioned), maybe Ruddock (though he should have won at least 1 of the 2 fights against Tyson, so maybe shouldn't be on my list).

Oh and even though he did actually hold a title at one point, Tony Tucker (pre-Tyson fight) was a slick boxer who probably could compete in many eras.

I'd be curious to see what fighters from the 80's or 90's show up in future posts.

[stevedoc]

cooney or ruddock for me

[orbtastic]

I don't ever think Golota displayed the mental aptitude to hold a world title. Physical, yes. He always struck me as a man who never really wanted to be there, which is apparently what the problem was.

[The Great John L]

I don't ever think Golota displayed the mental aptitude to hold a world title. Physical, yes. He always struck me as a man who never really wanted to be there, which is apparently what the problem was.

x2

[Caractacus]

Harry Willls too. If Sam had have held the title, at some point it would have passed to Wills.

Not while 'The Manassa Mauler' was around,thats for sure.

[Tomasino]

Harry Willls too. If Sam had have held the title, at some point it would have passed to Wills.

Not while 'The Manassa Mauler' was around,thats for sure.

I reckon both Sam and Wills would have beaten Jack. They certainly wanted to fight him a lot more than he did them, duchess.

[tiny_acres]

Jerry Quarry would of held the "CRUISERWEIGHT" until he retired.If only the division was around back then.