1. Sam Langford: Probably if he would have won a world crown, his statuts would have been as the greatest pound per pound all time
2. Charley Burley: I have read many stories about him that Eddie Futch said that he was the best fighter that he ha ever seen and that he gave the great Archie Moore a good licking for 10 rounds....Moore got whupped!!!
3. Peter Jackson: Probably the greatest heavyweight of his time...In my view, better than John L Sullivan
4. Harry Wills: Never had a crack to a world heavyweight title. A great puncher and skilled boxer. Was a top contender for the heavy crown for years and had great longevity.
5. Billy Petrolle: Fought in an era of great pound per pound entrants: Tony Canzoneri, Jack Kid Berg, Kid Chocolate, Barney Ross and other great ones. Fought for a world title twice, but came short both times.
6. Jim Driscoll: Whupped fair and square the great Abe Attell for the world feather title but did not get the crown. Also whupped the great George Dixon 3 times...Probably Dixon was over the hill, but nevertheless great wins. Only lost 4 times in 77 bouts. One of Wales and Great Britain's very best.
7. Holman Williams: Fought in the rich era of great top black welterweights, middleweights and light heavyweights contenders of the 1940s...Fought Moore, Burley, Bob Satterfield, Lloyd Marshall, Cocoa Kid, Eddie Booker, Jake LaMotta and others.
8. Lazlo Papp: Great fighter that had one of the most oustanding amateur boxing careers of all time. Was doing the same in the pro ranks, but I do know why he retired...He never lost a pro fight.
9. Billy Graham: Awesome boxer with great skill that fought the best of his time. He gave the great Kid Gavilan HELL in 4 fights...He is the "Uncrowned Welterweight Champion of the World"
10. Baby Arizmendi: One of Mexico's greatest top 10 fighters of all time...Why??? Look at his ledger and he beat 2 times the great Henry Armstrong in back to back fights. He also beat Freddie Miller and Chalky Wright.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Del Flanagan: Excellent lightweight, welter and middleweight contender that fought who is who of the 1940s and 50s, in probably the sport's richest era. Beat 7 Hall of Famers and 7 world champions
Joe Jeannette: One of the greatest heavyweights ever...beat the great Sam Langford the first time around by KO, but NEVER AGAIN had a win against Langford in the next 9 fights with him, losing in the series 5 times.
Cocoa Kid: Another fighter that fought the very best of his era and won more than 170 fights...His rival of choice was Holman Williams...they fought 7 times
Willie Joyce: Beat 5 Hall of Famers, including having the best of the series vs the great lightweight Ike Williams, beating him 2 out of 3 fights. Fell short for the world jr welter title losing twice for the crown.
Bennie Briscoe: Has there been a fighter that was more dignified and lovable than "Bad Benny" even when he lost a fight??? I do not see many. Fought great opposition of middleweights, and future world champions...Gave the great Carlos Monzon 2 tough fights. The first fight was a draw in Argentina. I would like to see this fight on video tape....Does someone has it???
Kenny Lane: tough and durable jr welter and lightweight contender. Fought over 90 bouts. Beat Orlando Zulueta, Carlos Ortiz, Virgil Akins, Carlos "Morocho" Hernandez, Ralph Dupas and Doug Valiant...Fought 3 times for a world crown, losing twice to Ortiz and once to the great Joe Brown.
These are my picks...Probably I forgot someone much notable than the ones above, and there are a lot of them...Who are your top 10 all time greatest that never won a crown in your view???
