Which fighters are mostly unrebembered, but, if they were just a bit more lucky, could have ended up being remembered as greats. Inspired by Hurtado, who was inches of beating Whitaker and Tszyu, but was eventually koed by both.
I wouldn't quite say inches away but Campas, Lou Del Valle and Bert Cooper all put a future hall of famer in some peril.
Apart from Cooper, I don't agree as those kds were definitely of the flash variety. Cooper fits though, as he could have won both the Holy and Moorer fights with just a bit if more luck.
I'd say a close but not quite great is Rigondeaux. He has the tools to beat anyone nearby, but lacked the mindset. He never had the opportunity to fight the best - although let's not pretend like his ability to cure insomnia wasn't the reason why - and so never got all of the scalps he'd need to "claim the greatness" his ability warranted. He lacked the grit and flair to put on a show and tough out a war; and not only that, but he never even bothered trying until after he quit and his entire manhood was questioned by everyone. Even against Donaire himself, his inability to truly fuckin hurt someone like Wilfredo Gomez cost him what would've took a career defining win to an era defining one.
N Not what im looking for. Im asking for guys who were inches of beating atg, but for some reasons ended up losing
Tim Witherspoon could well have gotten the nod against Holmes, and his place in history would be quite different if he had. Also Trevor Berbick was fairly close of defeating him
And Moorer.... And talking about Michael Moorer does he belong on this list? Good/Great Light Hvy, went to heavyweight beat Holyfield...then ....
I'm not sure about the scorecards but Mayorga was within seconds of beating Mosley in their first fight imo. It might even have booked him his HoF ticket considering he was a fan favorite
I usually agree with you, but that's not the fight I remember. I remember Mosley-Mayorga 1 being an ugly fight, but Shane landing the cleaner shots throughout.
So your definition of greatness is a victory over a hof? Had Lou Delvalle beaten Roy I doubt he would considered great today. It would take a lot more than a lucky punch. To me it showed a glimpse of what was to come.(Roy vs Tarver2) exposed Roy's achilles heel. His chin.
I was going to make a longer reply but then i realized you're only here to look for an argument, particularly when the name Roy Jones comes up regardless of the context. Not interested.
Not at all. I thought it was a fair question considering this thread is about fighters that were close to greatness. I would compare Lou Del Valle knocking Roy out in the 8th rd(had he pulled off the upset) to Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson. And no one will ever say Douglas was a great fighter right? That was my point. I think this thread is more about fighters who were very good fighters borderline great had they just done a little more. I would place Vargas in that category. Had Vargas beaten De La Hoya or Trinidad he would be considered great instead of just a very good fighter.
Fernando Vargas. If he had been around at a time there wasn't a Trinidad and a DLH he could have been the #1 pfp main attraction and a boxing legend. His career took a dive too early when he fought Tito. However while losing he went down on his shield and gave us a bout for the ages, something the great DLH failed miserably to deliver in his overly hyped bout against Trinidad.
Vargas wasn't good enough to be a P4P #1 guy. Let's not get carried away about him. He was top 10 P4P material, but certainly not a P4P king caliber fighter. Even if you take away Oscar and Tito, the sport still had Roy, Floyd, and Hopkins at the time. Having said that, Vargas would be the clear king of 154 today. Prime Nando would wipe his ass with Charlo and Tim Tszyu. He'd beat Spence also. 23 years ago was just a MUCH deeper talent era in the sport.
And as good as Vargas was you just knew he wasn't the kind of guy that was going to stay hungry and in shape. His peak may have been at an unfortunate time but if De La Hoya and Tito weren't around he would have ended up losing to a lesser fighter at some point. I doubt he would be P4P #1 today and if he did reach that level it would be short lived. None of this boxing legend nonsense.
Vic Darchinyan was a couple of rounds away from avenging his loss to Donaire in their second fight. Would have been the career defining win he needed to take a very good career to the ''great'' level.
I thought about Spoon, but I doubt he had the discipline to really be one of the greats. He would be a very good fighter who had a great win if the Holmes fight was a bit different.
Probably the most obvious answer is Norton. He would be regarded as a true great had he gotten the nod in the Holmes fight.
