When winning a world title you never really get forgotten as you will always be known as an ex world champion and your name will often be added to various lists/polls etc. But there have been some great fighters in the past who never got to the top for various reasons despite being better than many fighters who have won titles, names that spring to mind are Ken Norton, Razor Rudduck, Ernie Shavers and Ike Ibeabuchi. So out of these or any others who was the best never to win a world heavyweight title.
2007-01-22 04:11:43 · 12 answers · asked by baz75 6 in Sports ➔ Boxing
Very interesting question sir! Here is my list:
1. Sam Langford had a record of 168-38-37 Heavyweight Champ Jack Johnson refused to risk his title against him.
2. Young Stribling had a record of 225-12-14 128 kayos. He fought Schemeling for the title and lost by 15th round kayo. Died in motorcycle accident at age 28.
3. Jerry Quarry had a record of 53-9-1 32 kayos. Had the misfortune of fighting in an era of Ali and Frazier.
4. Harry Wills had a record of 65-8-2 47 kayos. Signed to fight Dempsey for the title in 27 but it was canceled due to the threat of riots. He later lost to Sharkey and Uzkedun.
5. Roland LaStarza had a record of 56-9-1 31 kayos. Lost to Marciano for the title.
6. Oscar Bonavena had a record of 56-9-1 42 kayos. Lost to Frazier and Ali but never received a title shot.
7. Earnie Shavers had a record of 74-14-1 68 kayos. Lost to Ali and Holmes in title bids.
8. Eddie Machen had a record of 50-11-3 29 kayos. Lost title chance against Liston and Ali.
9. Rex Layne had a record of 50-17-3 34 kayos. Lost to Marciano in a big fight. Lost title chance to Charles.
10. George Chuvalo had a record of 73-18-2 64 kayos. Lost to Ali twice in title chances.
2007-01-22 05:26:34 · answer #1 · answered by toughguy2 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
All people mentioned plus Zora Folley and I'll mention Quarry again. These guys both had tragic endings to their lives. Folley even though he was a top ranked contender for several years was only ever given one shot at the title. Quarry fought in an era when the competition was intense plus he was cut so often that his fights didn't last the full rounds.
2007-01-22 07:08:50 · answer #2 · answered by gman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earnie Shavers
2007-01-22 10:09:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow tough guy put together a great list.
I'll agree with his number #1 in Langford. They avoided him and never him gave him the shot. Acording to what I read he was equal in talent to Jack Johnson.
Shavers also was very good although not like Langford.
David Tua was a good fighter in this generation who never won it. Also Ike Ibeabcuhi.
2007-01-22 05:42:05 · answer #4 · answered by Bruce Tzu 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Norton was a champion. Jerry Quarry is considered by most to be that guy. He beat Shavers. Ruddock was just a big guy.
2007-01-22 04:20:23 · answer #5 · answered by Gerry S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jerry Quarry and Oscar Bonavena.
2007-01-22 07:32:14 · answer #6 · answered by zebbie g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My top three: 1. Sam Langford. 2. Charley Burley. 3. David Tua.
2016-05-24 17:56:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eddie Machen! He was like the Chris Byrd of his time
http://www.insideboxing.com/Columnist/amato/eddie_machen.htm
2007-01-22 04:35:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ken norton was a hvywt champ.yet he did not win it in the ring..i don't know how he got into the hall!
2007-01-27 08:52:28 · answer #9 · answered by saxaphonist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jerry cooney
2007-01-22 09:07:01 · answer #10 · answered by nypokerplayer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋