BoxRec

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1. John L. Sullivan: James J. Corbett (8-0-2), L KO in 21/?, Olympic Club, New Orleans, 09/0/1892 [for HW title]
2. James J. Corbett: James J. Jeffries (17-0-2), L TKO 10/20, Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, 08/14/1903 [for HW title]
3. Robert Fitzsimmons: Jersey Bellew (debut), ND 6/6, South Bethlehem, 02/20/1914
4. James J. Jeffries: Jack Johnson (52-5-11), L KO 15/45, Reno 07/04/1910 [for HW title]
5. Marvin Hart: Carl Morris (4-0-0), L RTD, Sapulpa 3/12, 12/20/1910 (#)
6. Tommy Burns: Joe Beckett (17-7-0), L RTD 7/20, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, 0/16/1920 (#)
7. Jack Johnson: Brad Simmons (27-12-4), L PTS 10/10, Tulsa, 03/04/1931 (*)
8. Jess Willard: Luis Angel Firpo (21-2-0), L KO 8/12, Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, 07/12/1923 [title eliminator]
9. Jack Dempsey: Gene Tunney (77-1-4), L UD 10/10, Soldiers Field, Chicago, 09/22/1927 [for HW title]
10. Gene Tunney: Tom Heeney (32-8-5), W TKO 11/15, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, 07/26/1928 [for HW title]
11. Max Schmeling: Richard Vogt (47-4-6), L PTS 10/10, Waldbuehne, Westend, 10/31/1948
12. Jack Sharkey: Joe Louis (24-1-0), L KO 3/10, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, 08/18/1936 [title eliminator]
13. Primo Carnera: Luigi Musina (33-6-4), L UD 8/8, Gorizia, 05/12/1946
14. Max Baer: Lou Nova (24-2-4), L TKO 8/10, Madison Square Garden, 04/04/1941 [title eliminator]
15. Jim Braddock: Tommy Farr (71-26-18), W SD 10/10, Madison Square Garden, 01/21/1938
16. Joe Louis: Rocky Marciano (3-0-1), L KO 8/10, Madison Square Garden, 10/26/1951 [title eliminator]
17. Ezzard Charles: Alvin Green (21-7-1), L UD 10/10, Municipal Auditorium, Oklahoma City, 09/01/1959
18. Jersey Joe Walcott: Rocky Marciano (43-0-0), L KO 1/15, Chicago Stadium, Chicago, 05/15/1953 [for HW title]
19. Rocky Marciano: Archie Moore (149-19-8), W KO 9/15, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, 09/21/1955 [for HW title]
20. Floyd Paterson: Muhammad Ali (38-1-0), L RTD 7/12, Madison Square Garden, 09/20/192 [for HW title]
21. Ingemar Johansson: Brian London (28-9-0), W PTS 12/12, Johanneshov Ice Stadium, Stockholm, 04/21/1962
22. Sonny Liston: Chuck Wepner (21-5-2), W RTD 9/10, Armory, Jersey City, 06/29/1970
23. Muhammad Ali: Trevor Berbick (19-2-1), L UD 10/10, Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, Nassau, 12/11/1981
24. Joe Frazier: Floyd Cummings (15-1-0), D MD 10/10, International Amphitheatre, Chicago, 12/03/1981
25. George Foreman: Shannon Briggs (29-1-0), L MD 12/12, Taj Majal Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, 11/22/1997 [for HW title)
26. Leon Spinks: Fred Houpe (13-3-0), L UD 8/8, A Little Bit of Texas, Saint Louis, 12/04/1995
27. Larry Homes: Eric Esch (65-2-3), W UD 10/10, Scope Arena, Norfolk, 0/27/2002
28. Michael Spinks: Mike Tyson (34-0-0), L KO 1/12, Convention Hall, Atlantic City, 06/2/1988 [for HW title]
29. Mike Tyson: Kevin McBride (32-4-1), W RTD 6/10, MCI Center, Washington, 06/11/2005
30. James “Buster” Douglas: Andre Crowder (8-49-4), W TKO 1/10, Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, 02/19/1999
31. Evander Holyfield: Brian Nielsen (64-2-0), W TKO 10/12, Koncerthuset, Copenhagen, 05/0/2011
32. Riddick Bowe, Gene Pukall (14-12-2), W UD 8/8, SAP-Arena, Mannheim, 02/12/2008
33. Michael Moorer: Shelby Gross (16-3-0), W KO 1/10, Shaikh Rashid Hall, Dubai, 02/08/2008
34. Shannon Briggs: Emilio Ezequiel Zarate (20-16-3), W KO 1/10, O2 Arena, Greenwich, 05/21/2016
35. Lenox Lewis: Vitali Klitschko (32-1-0), W TKO 6/12, Staples Center, Los Angeles, 06/21/2003 [for a HW title]
36. Oliver McCall: Larry Knight (3-16-1), W UD 6/6, HEB Tennis Centre, Corpus Christi, 11/30/2018 (#)
37. Hasim Rahman: Anthony Nansen (3-2-0), L UD 3/3, The Trusts Arena, Auckland, 06/04/2014
38. Vitali Klitschko: Manuel Carr (21-0-0), W TKO, 4/12, Olimpiyskiy, Moscow, 09/08/2012 (#) [for a HW title]
39. Wladimir Klitschko, Anthony Joshua (18-0-0), L TKO 11/12, Wembley Stadium, Wembley, 04/29/2017 (#) [for a HW title]

# Inclusion based on a strong claim to the title

* The second Johnson-Simmons fight, from 04/28/1931 (KO 2/?), has been excluded because: "The Ring reported that Johnson made a couple of 'voodoo' passes over Brad, who then went down. Both men were barred from ever again appearing in a Kansas ring” [from Boxrec]. As Jack Johnson’s last fight, I chose to go with their previous fight from a month earlier.

Of the 39 fighters listed, 37 fought an opponent with a winning record; 34 fought an opponent with over ten wins; 15 won their last fight, 22 lost (there was one draw and one ND); of the first 25 fighters only five (Tunney; Braddock, Marciano, Johansson, and Liston) won their final fight; among the last 14, ten fighters won their final fight.

Their last fight was a title defense: ^^

• John L. Sullivan (vs. James J. Corbett)
• Gene Tunney (vs. Tom Heeney)
• Rocky Marciano (vs. Archie Moore)
• Michael Spinks (vs. Mike Tyson)
• Lenox Lewis (vs. Vitali Klitschko)

Their last fight was a title bid: ^^

• James J. Corbett (vs. James J. Jeffries)
• Jack Dempsey (vs. Gene Tunney)
• Jersey Joe Walcott (vs. Rocky Marciano)
• Floyd Paterson (vs. Muhammad Ali)
• Wladimir Klitschko (vs. Anthony Joshua)

^^ James J. Jeffries (vs. Jack Johnson) can be assigned to both categories depended on opinion.

Their last fight was a title eliminator:

• Jess Willard (vs. Luis Angel Firpo)
• Jack Sharkey (vs. Joe Louis)
• Max Baer (vs. Lou Nova)
• Joe Louis (vs. Rocky Marciano)

(A final pay-day) Their last fight was a mismatch:

• Ruby Rob Fitzsimmons (61-8-0) taking on Jersey Bellew who was making his debut.
• Marvin Hart (28-7-4) taking on a 4-0-0 Carl Morris.
• James “Buster” Douglas (37-6-1) taking on an 8-49-4 Andre Crowder.
• Oliver McCall (58-14-0) taking on a 3-16-1 Larry Knight.
• Hasim Rahman (50-9-0) taking on a 3-2-0 Anthony Nansen.

(Nothing to gain but legacy) Their last fight was a serious challenge without it being a title defense, title bid, or title eliminator, e.g. Dempsey-Tunney II is not included:

• Max Schmeling vs. Richard Vogt (47-4-6)
• Jim Braddock vs. Tommy Farr (71-26-18)
• Ingemar Johansson vs. Brian London (28-9-0)
• Muhammad Ali vs. Trevor Berbick (19-2-1)
• Larry Homes vs. Eric Esch (65-2-3)

Of the 39 fighters posted 16 ended their careers either defending or contesting for the HW title:

1. John L. Sullivan vs. James J. Corbett [title defense]
2. James J. Corbett vs. James J. Jeffries [title bid]
3. James J. Jeffries vs. Jack Johnson [for the HW title]
4. Jess Willard vs. Luis Angel Firpo [title eliminator]
5. Jack Dempsey vs. Gene Tunney [title bid]
6. Gene Tunney vs. Tom Heeney [title defense]
7. Jack Sharkey vs. Joe Louis [title eliminator]
8. Max Baer vs. Lou Nova [title eliminator]
9. Joe Louis vs. Rocky Marciano [title eliminator]
10. Jersey Joe Walcott vs. Rocky Marciano [title bid]
11. Rocky Marciano vs. Archie Moore [title defense]
12. Floyd Paterson vs. Muhammad Ali [title bid]
13. George Foreman vs. Shannon Briggs [title defense]
14. Michael Spinks vs. Mike Tyson [title defense]
15. Lenox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko [title defense]
16. Wladimir Klitschko, Anthony Joshua [title bid]

Four champions ended their careers at Madison Square Garden:

• Max Baer (vs. Lou Nova)
• Jimmy Braddock (vs. Tommy Farr)
• Joe Louis (vs. Rocky Marciano)
• Floyd Patterson (vs. Muhammad Ali)

Three ended their careers at Yankee Stadium:

• Gene Tunney (vs. Tom Heeney)
• Jack Sharkey (vs. Joe Louis)
• Rocky Marciano (vs. Archie Moore)

Of the39, 26 fought their last fight inside the United States, 13 overseas.

The “he’s still around?” group (longest period from losing the title to last fight, in years):

1. Oliver McCall 1997-2018 (21)
2. Shannon Briggs 1998-2016 (18)
3. Leon Spinks 1978-1995 (17)
4. Jack Johnson 1915-1931 (16)
5. Larry Holmes 1986-2002 (16)
6. Hasim Rahman 2001-2014 (13)
7. Robert Fitzsimmons 1902-1914 (12)
8. Floyd Patterson 1963-1972 (9)
9. Ezzard Charles 1951-1959 (8)
10. Joe Frazier 1973-1981 (8)

• Ruby Rob Fitzsimmons (61-8-0) taking on Jersey Bellew who was making his debut.

I don't think this is true. Bellew had apparently been fighting as Young Fitzsimmons, Fitz didn't approve, and fought him to stop him using it. Bellew was described as a big strong white hope, though obviously not a very good one.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... ons+bellew
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... sey+bellew

Fitz actually did want to fight better opponents in his later years but wasn't allowed, a ruling which he fought against.

BitPlayer wrote: ↑03 Jan 2019, 13:38 • Ruby Rob Fitzsimmons (61-8-0) taking on Jersey Bellew who was making his debut.

I don't think this is true. Bellew had apparently been fighting as Young Fitzsimmons, Fitz didn't approve, and fought him to stop him using it. Bellew was described as a big strong white hope, though obviously not a very good one.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... ons+bellew
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... sey+bellew

Fitz actually did want to fight better opponents in his later years but wasn't allowed, a ruling which he fought against.

"allowed" and "ruling" meaning there was a legal action implemented to somehow "compromise or qualify" the quality of his opponent?
WTF? That's an amazing story in and of itself if it's true.

BitPlayer wrote: ↑03 Jan 2019, 13:38 • Ruby Rob Fitzsimmons (61-8-0) taking on Jersey Bellew who was making his debut.

I don't think this is true. Bellew had apparently been fighting as Young Fitzsimmons, Fitz didn't approve, and fought him to stop him using it. Bellew was described as a big strong white hope, though obviously not a very good one.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... ons+bellew
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... sey+bellew

Fitz actually did want to fight better opponents in his later years but wasn't allowed, a ruling which he fought against.

Great articles, thanks for the read. Chappie Blackburn was getting ready to take on Langford.

OK - The first article says he won the fight and in the second he claims to have KOed him in two rounds, but Boxrec calls it a six round ND and states that Bellew was 'down' in the second. Interesting.

BoxBuzz wrote: ↑03 Jan 2019, 16:22

BitPlayer wrote: ↑03 Jan 2019, 13:38 • Ruby Rob Fitzsimmons (61-8-0) taking on Jersey Bellew who was making his debut.

I don't think this is true. Bellew had apparently been fighting as Young Fitzsimmons, Fitz didn't approve, and fought him to stop him using it. Bellew was described as a big strong white hope, though obviously not a very good one.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... ons+bellew
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn ... sey+bellew

Fitz actually did want to fight better opponents in his later years but wasn't allowed, a ruling which he fought against.

"allowed" and "ruling" meaning there was a legal action implemented to somehow "compromise or qualify" the quality of his opponent?
WTF? That's an amazing story in and of itself if it's true.

I can't remember the details and would have to go looking for them, but as best as I can remember: Fitzsimmons ended up in front of a judge (maybe New York) suing the State Commission that wouldn't let him fight (it was late, very late in his career). Ruby Rob lost the suit, the judge sided with the State and denied the licence. -- I will try to find the article I read.

which Linear champ fought the most linear champs?

funso banjo baby wrote: ↑03 Jan 2019, 20:51 which Linear champ fought the most linear champs?

I'd have a guess it's Ali:

Liston x2
Patterson x2
Frazier x3
Foreman
Spinks x2
Holmes

Louis fought

Schmeling x2
Sharkey
Carnera
Baer
Braddock
Charles
Walcott x2
Marciano

Holmes (not as many but deserves a mention)

Ali
Tyson
M. Spinks (X2)
L. Spinks
Holyfield

and if you count Oliver McCall, McCall.

Add in the claimants and maybe he has the most "champions" on his resume.

Weaver
Mercer
Williams
Witherspoon
Smith
Berbick
Norton