Fighters from yesteryear who never won a title but would certainly have done so today

Let's face it. Being a "champion" used to mean a lot more in the olden days than it does now (with multitudes of titles and more weight classes). What fighters from the past occur to you as ones who would certainly have won a title in today's landscape, but failed to in their own time?

How about Juan Laporte? Can you imagine his fighting in today's day and age with a half decent promoter and not winning a title somewhere along the way?

 

Juan Roldan

 

Herol Graham

 

Joe Hipp

 

Excellent choice. I should have put him over Roldan.

If Graham had gotten to Taylor whilst JT was still champ, Graham would have been the champion. If a poor man's Graham in Cory Spinks can damn near beat Taylor, Graham would have done a number on JT.

 

Howard Davis. I think he'd definitely pick up a belt in the current 135 scene. The Davis that gave Rosario hell would beat Nate Campbell pretty easily.

And nominating another British fighter..... Colin Jones. He nearly beat McCrory, then ran into a prime Curry. Theres none currently at 147 today as good as Curry.

 

Oba Carr

 

Jerry Quarry

 

Maybe against Berto. I don't see him beating Margarito or Williams, though, not by a long shot. Clottey would be a tough fight, probably a controversial decision regardless of the winner

 

Yaqui Lopez

Charley Burley

Holman Williams

Eddie Booker

Lloyd Marshall

 

Oba Carr was overrated beyond belief. I dont even see him beating Berto.

 

You've under-estimated how much of a piece of crap Berto is.

 

If REED Isn't Mistaken, LaPorte Won the Vacated WBC Featherweight Title, after Salvador Sanchez Died...


REED:hammert:

 

I would pick Graham to beat any MW out there today with ease, save for Abraham and Pavlik, both of whom I'd pick him to beat so long as they didn't hit him as hard as Jackson did... ::

Herol is arguably the best British boxer never to win a world title. He's certainly regularly cited as such over here.

Speaking of British MW's of the 1980's-90's, I'll also add Michael Watson to the list. In three title fights, he beat Eubanks the first time, was outclassing him second time til he near died from a single shot and only the excellent Mike McCallum beat him in convincing fashion.

MTF

 

I'm not saying Berto is the next Ray Leonard, or even the next Mosley, but IMO Carr was nothing special. Berto's chin isnt that good, but I dont think Carr had the power to expose it. And Berto has faster hands than Carr had, and more firepower.

I see Berto winning a decision over Carr.

 

I gotta second Joe Hipp

he'd knock Wlad the F out in 3

 

Yauqi Lopez is another good choice.

I'd favor him over Tarver, and Dawson today.

 

From what Ive seen of Abraham, I'd pick Graham over him. The only one I wouldnt favor Graham over is Pavlik.

And Micheal Watson would have beaten Taylor also, and likely beaten Abraham as well.

 

Billy Graham


Beat Basilio and Giardello in non-title fights. Fought almost dead even with Kid Gavilan. Was never knocked out or even knocked down in 126 fights. I don't think he even got the opportunity of a title fight.

 

I'd add Renaldo Snipes to the list

 

what's hilarious is he nearly KO'd the all great Holmes, who by some accounts, wouldn't have lost to anyone in hiistory......

 

Jesus, Graham is suprisingly overrated. His era wasn't even as good as it is NOW and he's going to somehow dominate? ::

 

Yeah, Graham over Pavlik gave me a good little chuckle. ::

 

howard davis jr. would've beaten guys like clottey, judah, and cintron imo. at jr. welter, he probably would've beaten all of the current title holders.

 

Not to mention there were a bunch of titles floating around when Graham was active. It's not like he came from a one-champion era.

 

I dunno about Davis either. He had a wealth of orthodox talent and was fast as hell, but his chin was fucking garbage. Fighters like him never hang about long because sooner or later, some upstart cracks their beard.

I've always thought Davis was overrated. Like alot of those flashy fighters.

 

but the guys that i mentioned aren't that great either.

for instance, i'd pick davis over malignaggi w/o much hesitation. judah would find a way to lose just about anyone he fights.

 

I'd pick Davis over Malignaggi as well.

I wouldn't pick him over Clottey or Cintron though.

 

Good post.

 

It wasn't?

Knocking around in and around Graham fighting for the title were (off the top of my head) Kalambay, McCallum, Jackson, Eubank, Watson, Benn (put off your hate, Tam ::), Barkley, Nunn and the remnants of Hearns and Duran.

Today, we have Kelly Pavlik, Abraham (who most here were calling a bum a few short weeks ago), Felix Sturm (who is a bum), errrr, John Duddy? Brian Vera?

This MW division is so shit that Pavlik, having won the undisupted title, has the option of ONE meaningful MW fight (Abraham) or to look to fight Calzaghe (at SMW) or Hopkins (at LH).

I guess I was wrong, then. 160 is a thriving division right now. :bangh:

MTF :doh: