Softest First Defence - Post War Lineal Heavyweight Champions

[Ambling Alp II]

Mercer twice lost title shots by losing fights he was expected to win. Had he beat Holmes, he probably would have got a shot at Holyfield. Instead Holmes got the shot. Had he beat Ferguson, he would have fought Bowe.

So far it seems to be between Roman and Daniels. Since Roman beat Daniels, I am going with Daniels as being even worse.

[Controversial]

Not the softest but Bowe defending against Dokes was pretty poor, especially as he followed it up by fighting Jesse Ferguson

To be fair it was supposed to be Mercer instead of Ferguson, but Jesse ruined the script by beating the inconsistent Mercer in an upset.

And while he was shot and overweight, Dokes had been on a decent run against C level opposition since getting concussed by Ruddock. My vote in this as far as real champions go would have to be Jose Roman. I felt sorry for him.

Yes Roman or Daniels gets my vote too, just thought I'd throw another name into the mix.

[Flump]

Not the softest but Bowe defending against Dokes was pretty poor, especially as he followed it up by fighting Jesse Ferguson

To be fair it was supposed to be Mercer instead of Ferguson, but Jesse ruined the script by beating the inconsistent Mercer in an upset.

And while he was shot and overweight, Dokes had been on a decent run against C level opposition since getting concussed by Ruddock. My vote in this as far as real champions go would have to be Jose Roman. I felt sorry for him.

Yes Roman or Daniels gets my vote too, just thought I'd throw another name into the mix.

Just out of interest Controversial, I remember Kalan described you as a miserable athlete some time ago, I was just wondering if you'd managed to cheer yourself up since?

[Controversial]

To be fair it was supposed to be Mercer instead of Ferguson, but Jesse ruined the script by beating the inconsistent Mercer in an upset.

And while he was shot and overweight, Dokes had been on a decent run against C level opposition since getting concussed by Ruddock. My vote in this as far as real champions go would have to be Jose Roman. I felt sorry for him.

Yes Roman or Daniels gets my vote too, just thought I'd throw another name into the mix.

Just out of interest Controversial, I remember Kalan described you as a miserable athlete some time ago, I was just wondering if you'd managed to cheer yourself up since?

I have just gotten over it, but now you have bought it up again I’m feeling a bit sad again

[Flump]

Yes Roman or Daniels gets my vote too, just thought I'd throw another name into the mix.

Just out of interest Controversial, I remember Kalan described you as a miserable athlete some time ago, I was just wondering if you'd managed to cheer yourself up since?

I have just gotten over it, but now you have bought it up again I’m feeling a bid sad again

I'm sorry. Thoughtless of me. ☹

[Controversial]

Not his first defence but Steffen Tangstad was a pretty poor title challenger for Michael Spinks

[Bodyshot3]

Not his first defence but Steffen Tangstad was a pretty poor title challenger for Michael Spinks

The loss against Ekuland does make him look like a right gimme for Mike.

But Steffen always struck me as a bit of a what if fighter.........he did have a decent bit of power and hidden deep in his record is a very decent draw with a certain James Douglas (who proved to be more than OK) when they were both prospects and Steffen was the away fighter. Bit of a surprise that

Might have been interesting if he had moved to somewhere like London and chanced his arm a bit......working in the Lawless gym for example and being pushed a wee bit harder, rather than crossing the Baltic and doing his thing in Denmark.

[Controversial]

Not his first defence but Steffen Tangstad was a pretty poor title challenger for Michael Spinks

The loss against Ekuland does make him look like a right gimme for Mike.

But Steffen always struck me as a bit of a what if fighter.........he did have a decent bit of power and hidden deep in his record is a very decent draw with a certain James Douglas (who proved to be more than OK) when they were both prospects and Steffen was the away fighter. Bit of a surprise that

Might have been interesting if he had moved to somewhere like London and chanced his arm a bit......working in the Lawless gym for example and being pushed a wee bit harder, rather than crossing the Baltic and doing his thing in Denmark.

Do you think? I could never see much to his game, certainly not world class in my book.

[Bodyshot3]

Do you think? I could never see much to his game, certainly not world class in my book.

Tangstad did more than ok to be fair to the guy...........but he just did not push himself in terms of getting out there and learning his trade in a properly competitive gym where he was not the main man and would have got properly pushed/tested.

Maybe someone like the late George Francis would have been good for him?

I think that training and fighting in Copenhagen was a nice, well-paid gig but he'd have been better off in London (especially as a heavyweight) and could have developed his style and maybe gone a bit further.

Norway has actually turned out a few good pros despite the pro-game being banned for years but many of the guys have just crossed the Baltic to Copenhagen.