Champions Who Were Better Contenders

HomicideHenry · Post by **HomicideHenry** » 22 Aug 2007, 01:14

We all know what this topic means, the guys who literally blew us away when they were reaching the top, but failed to capitalize once they reached the top of the mountain....

For me the list goes as:

-Sonny Liston
-George Foreman (both 'careers')
-Bob Fitzsimmons
-Ingemar Johansson
-Max Baer
-Jack Sharkey
-Max Schmeling
-Jim Corbett
-Riddick Bowe
-Michael Moorer

And that's just out of the HW's, that I can really make the case for.

Grant · Post by **Grant** » 22 Aug 2007, 03:10

Of the recent batch of fighters I nominate:
Zab Judah and
Robbie Peden

torodecayey · Post by **torodecayey** » 23 Aug 2007, 21:14

Hector Camacho
Harold Johnson
Rodrigo Valdez

I Feel Fine · Post by **I Feel Fine** » 23 Aug 2007, 21:44

Ken Norton is probably the best example, if you consider him a champion at all, he's the only Heavyweight champion never to win a title fight.

HomicideHenry · Post by **HomicideHenry** » 23 Aug 2007, 22:22

Not necessarily Feel, considering Lennox Lewis, like Ken Norton, never won the title from Riddick Bowe, it was handed to him. But then again, I can name a few other champions who won titles who never necessarily beat the man who beat the man.

But maybe you are meaning in the sense that Norton never won a championship fight period but was a 'champ' by the WBC anyways, considering he lost to Ali, Foreman and then to Holmes, which were all title fights. Then of course, you're right.

I Feel Fine · Post by **I Feel Fine** » 23 Aug 2007, 22:33

Right, I mean the latter. He never won a title in the ring and he lost his only defense to Holmes.

Victor*KC · Post by **Victor*KC** » 24 Aug 2007, 00:20

Decagon wrote:Manuel Medina:
Five-time featherweight titlist

Five total successful title defenses

Very good pick..he was thought to be washed up way too many times..If you consider the WBO a title add Jose Luiz Lopez to the list..Randall Bailey when he was coming up the ranks he was considered the next Hearns he never reached that level..Rosendo Alvarez? he was a good champ but had more potential.."Sigh" damn that don king..

Victor*KC · Post by **Victor*KC** » 24 Aug 2007, 00:30

Decagon wrote:That's not all of it:
4 of his 5 defenses came in his first reign

Right now, at the age of 36, he still has a top IBF ranking!

My god I just looked over at his record..he is the king of title bouts..Lost to alot of B Class fighers..well he definately has "good connections"

-KOKid- · Post by **-KOKid-** » 24 Aug 2007, 07:09

Jermain Taylor has still to impress me since becoming the champion at middleweight.
Some of his opponents have been topnotchers, I know, but I still say he looked more solid a few years ago.

-KOKid-

markl · Post by **markl** » 24 Aug 2007, 15:41

Taylor never fought anyone before he was a champion.

Jersey joe Walcott fits the bill. Although he should have been a champion before he was.