The 1 step away from world champion status ???????????

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 12 Feb 2005, 21:00

How in the hell did I forget about Jim. I often forget that he never won a world title. Very good call.

states · Post by **states** » 12 Feb 2005, 21:26

Whilst he wasn't as naturally talented as the likes of Herol Graham or Kirklaind Laing, nevermind countless British champs from years past, Ryan Rhodes probably deserves a mention, certainly if we're going by todays standards of 3 or 4 champions for every weight.

I'm not claiming he was anywhere near great, but I've often wondered how much he suffered with being compared so much to Hamed, given that he followed him out of the Wincobank, and had the tabloid exposure to boot. Clearly, He was no Naz, but winning a Lonsdale belt in record time should not be sniffed at. Maybe he could have won a world belt if he hadn't been built up so quick, especially as he then had to try and live up to the same showman standards that stablemate Hamed had established.

Just a thought I had. I was reminded earlier this evening about just how big Naz actually was (in terms of exposure, before anyone starts with the short-arsed jokes), and I remembered Rhodes being built up as the 'Next Naz' back in '97/'98.

JC · Post by JC » 12 Feb 2005, 21:34

Yes Rohdes was/is a decent fighter but I think his fight with Otis Grant showed that he would always have been octclassed at world level. I don't really think brenden Ingles style of fighting suited him.

states · Post by **states** » 12 Feb 2005, 21:43

J-C wrote:Yes Rohdes was/is a decent fighter but I think his fight with Otis Grant showed that he would always have been octclassed at world level. I don't really think brenden Ingles style of fighting suited him.

Don't disagree with that at all mate. I really think he felt he had to live up to the style after Naz had broken through. Was never sure he had the talent to fight at the highest level though, at least not like that. Solid fighter though.*

*Certainly solid enough to have made me think 'Bullshit' when a taxi driver picked me up, during the time I lived in Sheffield, and claimed to have "knocked that cocky tosser Rhodes out last night"...... And that's my one boxing tale. Not a good one, on reflection. I'm going to blame alcohol.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 13 Feb 2005, 10:27

stujones wrote:Disagree with John, he was unlucky in a WBO title fight against a fighter who came in on 48 hours notice. I would call John Davidson world class, probably on the fringes.

A fighter who had the talent just lacked that something and I think does belong here is David Starie.

Dean Francis is another certainty, but never had the world title fight.

Henry Wharton?

John Davison was never a natural featherweight, and any who had seen John fight before will tell you he aged overnight in the robinson fight.
Take a closer look and read up on the circumstances Davison had to deal with regarding any previous title fights, and remember when the super bantam got recognised in this counrty.

Wharton was an exciting fighter though rather one dimensional and Dean Francis I feel could have been the only British super middle to have beaten Calzaghe, though bad luck and probably being just too big for the 12stone limit took its toll.
And David Starie had his chances but fell short each time, good fighter but quite a bit away from the level we are talking.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 13 Feb 2005, 10:58

J-C wrote:Yes Rohdes was/is a decent fighter but I think his fight with Otis Grant showed that he would always have been octclassed at world level. I don't really think brenden Ingles style of fighting suited him.

I thought the Otis Grant fight was great for Rhodes, 12 rounds with a top flight performer and he was only young, exactly the sort of fight that would have stood him in great stead had it not been for his chin.

I suppose Joe Bugner was quite unlucky not to win a world title, getting your one shot against Muhammed Ali is a bit of a bummer.