Most 'accomplished' title-fight losers

[DrDuke]

This is a topic about boxers, who tried to win World championship for several times, but failed all of them.

Axel Schulz lost 3 title bouts in a row against Foreman, Botha and Moorer.

Andrew Golota unsuccessfully tried to get World championship 4 times in total, 1 vs Lewis, 3 in a row vs Byrd (it was a draw), Ruiz, Brewster.

Who was more unlucky? Or at least about the same? Who comes to your mind?

[Onetimeonly]

Yacqui lopez. The most unlucky was Tyrone Everett. He completely schooled escalera, winning 12-15 rounds, in his hometown of Philly got robbed by the judges and shortly thereafter his gf murdered him when she caught him with a tranny.

[chrisjs1985]

Yaqui Lopez is an excellent one. A damn good fighter who lost close decisions giving a great account of himself and had Saad on the verge of a KO until he went full Saad and turned it around.

Jose Medel would be another. A brilliant fighter who had the misfortune of having his first final eliminator vs. Eder Jofre, then his first title shot vs. Eder Jofre and then his second (and final) shot against Fighting Harada in Japan. He lost to Jofre in a war and lost the title shot by dominant KO but he arguably beat Harada in Japan but suffered an iffy point deduction and had Harada badly hurt by the final bell. He'd previously KO'd Harada in a non-title fight and came through the notoriously difficult Mexican murderers row bantamweight scene, also beat a fast rising Jesus Pimentel in a classic fight at the Olympic. Would of probably been a great long reigning champion in most era's.

Alan Rudkin was another very good fighter of that time who had the misfortune of his title fights being against Fighting Harada in Japan, Lionel Rose in Australia and finally, Ruben Olivares in Inglewood. He gave the first two great fights but was blasted out by Olivares.

Of modern times perhaps the one's that would stand out would be Herol Graham, Oba Carr and Angel Manfredy. All talented boxers, with good skills, some excellent wins but ultimately never got the title.

[APerno]

Does Howard Davis Jr. fit the profile? - If he held a title is must have been questionable one.

Four failed shots:

UD Watts (WBC)
SD Rosario (WBC)
KO McGrit (IBF)
KO Rosenblatt (WBU)

[Onetimeonly]

Sure does, especially Rosario. He was floored in the last ten seconds to lose.

[Ambling Alp II]

Always felt bad for Davis, he was too good a fighter not to at least get a WBS belt.
Schulz did get ripped off an against an old Foreman. Golota got gipped against Ruiz and probably Byrd.
As previously mentioned. Rudkin was certainly unlucky to be fighting tough competition.

Here are some more:

Ken Norton - lost to Foreman, Ali, and Holmes. (Though of course was a champion.)
Pierre Fourie lost twice each to Foster and Galindez

Jerry Martin lost to Mustapha Muhammad, Saad Muhammad, and Qawi. He got hosed against Saad Muhammad. He was beating Muhammad convincingly, but the judges somehow had Saad ahead. Then the ref prematurely stopped it.
Martin was a very good fighter.

[HomicideHenry]

I've seen alot of highly touted amateurs with good pro records fail, like Paea Wolfgramm or Jorge Luis Gonzales. Don't know if that counts.

[Ambling Alp II]

No.

[JxhDel.]

Does Tua count?

[hhaehre]

Ruben Castillo had four tries against a murdreous row in Arguello, Sanchez, Laporte and Chavez. He came close against Arguello and gave Sanchez a tough fight.

[DrDuke]

Does Tua count?

He challenged the major title only once, against Lewis, so he's not high in the list.

[JxhDel.]

Does Tua count?

He challenged the major title only once, against Lewis, so he's not high in the list.

That's legit

[bennie]

Leonel Hernandez.

[orbtastic]

Lopez and Rudkin came to mind immediately.

Rocky Jaurez maybe, unlucky a couple of times but always felt he lacked that extra "bit" to win a title.

[IrishGuy]

I always thought he was over rated based on the first barrera fight ymn.

[scartissue]

Armando Muniz - 4 tries

1) Jose Napoles I - robbed blind in this one. Both Muniz and Napoles were cut during the infighting, but Muniz never capitalized on it until around the 9th round when he reverted to the head and began jabbing Napoles which really opened or reopened the cuts. He tore into Napoles after that, having him out on his feet at the end of the 10th and even enduring endless full-blooded low blows in the 11th with the Mexican referee just watching. But in the 12th, Napoles was an open target, unable to see, when the doctor stopped it. But pulling every string they could they claimed Muniz was guilty of butting in the 3rd and 5th rounds (Muniz stated afterwards he never even got a warning) and gave the fight to Napoles on a 'technical decision'.

2) Jose Napoles II - Napoles was prepared for this one and despite sustaining massive eye damage once again, he dropped Muniz for the first time in his career in the 8th and won a comforatable 15 round decision

3) Carlos Palomino I - Muniz deckled Carlos in the first round, controlled the first half of the fight and going into the 15th round the 3 scores were dead even. The winner of the last round was going to win the fight. But Palomino had a little more left in the tank and stopped Muniz in the finale.

4) Carlos Palomino II - Can't say much about this one. A comfortable 15 round decision for Palomino in Muniz' penultimate fight.

Muniz earned every title shot with wins in his career over Hedgemon Lewis, Clyde Gray, Ernie Lopez, Adolph Pruitt, Pete Ranzany, Zovek Barajas and Thurman Durden.

Also, on the same subject of accomplished title fight losers, I would also add the aforementioned Hedgemon Lewis, Clyde Gray, Ernie Lopez and Adolph Pruitt. all losing out with 3 title shots which were richly deserved.

[oogiebe]

Kenny Norton: V. Holmes. V. Ali III.

[littlepug]

Martin Murray

[Bodyshot3]

Jim McDonnell from the UK is worth a shout as well.

Better known these days for looking after James De Gale......but in his time Jim was very useful indeed.

Exceptionally fit, good movement, compact and a nice variety of shots. Jim was the 'full stop' for McGuigan's career and although it was a cuts stoppage, McDonnell was largely controlling things and boxing very nicely indeed.

His two shots were against bona fide Boxing Hall of Fame champs......Azumah Nelson and Brian Mitchell.... and they were against prime versions of these two top champs. Jim was more than competitive on both nights.

[gilgamesh]

Kenny Norton: V. Holmes. V. Ali III.

He was robbed horribly against Ali in that 3rd bout.

I had it 10 rounds to 5 for Norton.

[oogiebe]

Kenny Norton: V. Holmes. V. Ali III.

He was robbed horribly against Ali in that 3rd bout.

I had it 10 rounds to 5 for Norton.

I had it closer, but clearly a Norton win.

[Onetimeonly]

Kenny Norton: V. Holmes. V. Ali III.

He was robbed horribly against Ali in that 3rd bout.

I had it 10 rounds to 5 for Norton.

Same score, though I thought Holmes clearly beat Kenny. Awesome effort but I don't see the controversy.

[gilgamesh]

Kenny Norton: V. Holmes. V. Ali III.

He was robbed horribly against Ali in that 3rd bout.

I had it 10 rounds to 5 for Norton.

Same score, though I thought Holmes clearly beat Kenny. Awesome effort but I don't see the controversy.

Not sure if Oogie was suggesting that Norton deserved the nod over Holmes. I think he was just pointing out that it was another time that he gave a tremendous effort in a Title Bout. I don't think anybody would disagree with that.

[oogiebe]

He was robbed horribly against Ali in that 3rd bout.

I had it 10 rounds to 5 for Norton.

Same score, though I thought Holmes clearly beat Kenny. Awesome effort but I don't see the controversy.

Not sure if Oogie was suggesting that Norton deserved the nod over Holmes. I think he was just pointing out that it was another time that he gave a tremendous effort in a Title Bout. I don't think anybody would disagree with that.

Thanks Gil. The Norton/Holmes could've been scored either way, as I saw it. The Ali Norton III was pure robbery.

[Onetimeonly]

He was robbed horribly against Ali in that 3rd bout.

I had it 10 rounds to 5 for Norton.

Same score, though I thought Holmes clearly beat Kenny. Awesome effort but I don't see the controversy.

Not sure if Oogie was suggesting that Norton deserved the nod over Holmes. I think he was just pointing out that it was another time that he gave a tremendous effort in a Title Bout. I don't think anybody would disagree with that.

I didn't think he was, just commenting on the fans cards through the years.