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How would you rate Jack Gardner, the British Heavyweight Champion (1950 - 1952) and John L. Gardner, the British Heavyweight Champion (1977 - 1980)?

Jack Gardner was the No. 8 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title in 1950 and I think John L. Gardner was a contender at one time, like No. 14, but I thought he was No. 6 at one time.

Were they champs, contenders, gatekeepers?

Jack Gardner beat the likes of Johnny Williams, Bruce Woodcock, and Jo Weiden. He was 6' 2, 220 lbs., and rather lanky. Gardner had knockout power in both hands and during his short career had 7 first round knockout victories.

John L. Gardner beat the likes of Neville Meade, Paul Sykes, Lorenzo Zanon, and Ossie Ocasio. He was 5' 11, weighed 205 lbs., and stocky build. John L. Gardner wasn't a power hitter, but he did knockout Zanon good for the European Heavyweight Title.

Gardner I actually rate higher than some people, in an era that was starting to fall apart into mediocre heavyweights, he had the capability to of fought for a world title against Ali; in fact I think footage exists somewhere of the two men doing an exhibition together. He certainly would have made more sense than Evangelista, Dunne, Coopman, etc. At that stage in his career, I would say that Gardner was a gate keeper. Dokes didnt become Dokes until he met Gardner in alot of ways. So yeah, that makes sense.