BoxRec

Can anyone name any boxers who had talent etc but never recieved a world title shot when they should have had one/deserved one ???

Charlie Burley definitely deserves a mention

Yeah, definitely Charley Burley, also Les Darcy (was Australian world champ), Eddie Booker and Holman Williams.

Kirkland Laing got his big fight but never a world title fight.

Sam Langford, Lazlo Papp would be my calls.

With the proliferation of titles it is hard to think of more modern fighters.

Kirkland Laing is a good call.

I would also go for Langford, wasn't he denied a shot based on his colour?

steve689 wrote:I would also go for Langford, wasn't he denied a shot based on his colour?

... and for being too good.

Langford was probably the main contender to Jack Johnson, who was also coloured, throughout his 7 year reign.

Jimmy Bivins

Sam Langford
Mike Gibbons
Jimmy Bivins
Charley Burley

Ezzard charles was the best light heavyweight never to hold a title in that division, he was quite possibly the best light heavyweight of all time. Although he won the heavyweight title, he was at his best at the lower weight.

How about Tiger Jack Fox, years and years on the fringes beating future world champions and when he finally secures a shot he gets stabbed in the chest 2months before the big day..this obviously not helping his training prior or the subsequent fight he went through with.

Sam Langford gets my vote.

While I probably need to include an asterisk with this one, my nomination goes to my fellow Chicagoan Patrick "Packey" McFarland who was beaten only once in 109 fights. McFarland did get a shot at the Lightweight title, but it was Freddie Welsh's which was only recognized in the UK. The bout in London ended in a 20 round draw, but McFarland, who beat Welsh in Milwaukee two years earlier, was never given a rematch.

In 1919, 9 years after his title bout with Freddie Welsh, Packey McFarland became partners with childhood friend Chicago gangster Spike O'Donnell. The two purchased two large breweries in the city of Joliet and became the largest bootleg beer suppliers on the South Side of Chicago until about 1924. Later McFarland became the president of the Illinois State Athletic Commission, before being suddenly struck down by an acute stomach ailment in 1936.

From the modern era Tony Ayala jnr.

KO Atrist wrote:From the modern era Tony Ayala jnr.

main difference between Ayala Jnr and the others mentioned is that Ayala jnr never got his shot because of what he did and getting sent to prison.

From a British perspective, I'd agree with those who say Kirk Laing.

Ike "The President" Ibeabuchi!

Of course!!

Burley, Bivins, Langford, Marshall, Wills, Jeanette, McVey...

Ezzard wrote:Burley, Bivins, Langford, Marshall, Wills, Jeanette, McVey...

Following the vein of boxers you`ve mentioned wouldn`t Peter Jackson be next?

archie moore at MIDDLEWEIGHT he only moved upto lightheavy cos noone wud fight him at middle.

There have been some very good recent Brits never to have earned a shot.

Johnny Armour - long reigning Commonwealth and EBU champion with a long undefeated record.

Colin Dunne - World class Lightweight beating names such as Holiday and Schwer on the way.

Spencer Oliver - Career cut short.

Steve Roberts - Was probably ranked #1 during that gold period of the Light Middles, some of whom had a shot at a world title.

Think Roberts was always overrated, he never really beat anyone special, got the shit decked out of him by that American dude and barely managed to cling on.

Michael Ayers was a pretty good fighter who never quite managed to get into the title mix.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Think Roberts was always overrated, he never really beat anyone special, got the shit decked out of him by that American dude and barely managed to cling on.

Michael Ayers was a pretty good fighter who never quite managed to get into the title mix.

Your wrong about Ayers.

He fought this guy for the WBO title.

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=001594

I agree with Roberts being overated - although thought he was better than Tak who got a shot as did Lueshing and Stone from that era. I thought Stone warranted the shot and was better than Roberts.

Concerning UK fighters I think Bert Gilroy deserves a mention.

stujones wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:Think Roberts was always overrated, he never really beat anyone special, got the shit decked out of him by that American dude and barely managed to cling on.

Michael Ayers was a pretty good fighter who never quite managed to get into the title mix.

Your wrong about Ayers.

He fought this guy for the WBO title.

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=001594

I agree with Roberts being overated - although thought he was better than Tak who got a shot as did Lueshing and Stone from that era. I thought Stone warranted the shot and was better than Roberts.

WH PS