Who would you guys say were the greatest Heavyweights to never win the belt? Sorry if there's already been a thread like this one before, but I didn't see one.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Greatest Heavyweights To Never Win the Belt
Collapse
-
-
I always remember the old Don King quote, saying that Earnie Shavers was the greatest fighter to never win a world title...But yeah its not a good decision to try to make really, so much talent that never won the title or that we never even heard of in boxing!
Comment
-
Sam Langford and Earnie Shavers probably the top two, if Earnie had a better chin, and wouldn't have been in such a tough era, he def would've won one. Sam was ducked a lot, even by Jack Johnson. David Tua, Ike Ibeabuchi and Jerry Quarry deserve hon mention
Comment
-
Originally posted by Jim Jeffries View PostSam Langford and Earnie Shavers probably the top two, if Earnie had a better chin, and wouldn't have been in such a tough era, he def would've won one. Sam was ducked a lot, even by Jack Johnson. David Tua, Ike Ibeabuchi and Jerry Quarry deserve hon mention
Comment
-
Originally posted by redxl7 View PostWho would you guys say were the greatest Heavyweights to never win the belt? Sorry if there's already been a thread like this one before, but I didn't see one.
This from the International boxing hall of fame and is as good a choice as any in my opinion.
Harry Wills
Harry Wills fought in many great fights. But he forever be remembered for the one fight he never had. Wills was a top heavyweight contender in the early 1920s but was denied a title shot because of his race.
While heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey welcomed a fight against Wills, and they both signed contracts to face each other, the Govorner of the state of New York canceled the contest fearing that race riots would follow the fight. For compensation, Wills received $50,000 for the cancellation.
Wills was known as the Brown Panther of New Orleans. An intimidating presence, he stood 6-4 and weighed 220 pounds. From 1924 through 1926, he was ranked as high as No. 1 and no lower than No. 6.
Some of the top white heavyweights he beat were Willie Meehan in 1914 (Meehan beat Dempsey twice and drew with him twice), Gunboat Smith in 1921 and Charley Weinert. He also met Luis Angel Firpo in a No Decision bout.
Wills met many of the top black heavyweights of his day. He fought Sam Langford 22 times, going 6-2 with 14 No Decisions. He also beat Sam McVey three times and had two No Decision bouts with Joe Jeannette.
In 1926, Wills was disqualified in the 13th round for excessive holding in a bout with Jack Sharkey. The next year heavyweight contender Paolino Uzcudun knocked him out in the last significant bout of his career.
Comment
-
Originally posted by QUELOQUE View PostSam Langford and Ike Ibeabuchi, I am also inclined to say Ray Mercer, Tua, Chuvalo, Quarry and Shavers.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by The Underboss View Postpeter jackson, sam langford, jerry quarry, earnie shavers, david tua, and ray mercer.
Peter Jackson is a great shout out. Jackson was never granted a shot at the title, but did get a 61 round draw against James Corbett, one of the most technically gifted fighters of his era, and future heavyweight champ just a year later. In have read opinions in which many thought more highly of
Jackson than they did of Jack Johnson. I don't know how true that is, but it certainly says a lot about the man in my opinion.
Comment
Comment