Can you name any champions who received perceived gifts in title bouts & went on to admit they felt they had been beaten? They'd surely be an exclusive club. Muhammad Ali admitted losing to Kenny Norton in 1976. Even though it was for the incredible WBO belt, Oscar De La Hoya conceded defeat to Felix Sturm in his biography. I can't recall with conviction, but I think Joe Louis may've intimated he was beaten first-time out by Joe Walcott. Not sure on that one. Others? Larry Merchant trying his best to get an admission out of Vernon Forrest after his, "victory" over Ike Quartey was game ::
Im sure somebody posted recently about Micky Ward being told by a fan after a fight that he'd won and him quipping back 'what fight were you watching!?'. Maybe somebody will remember what fight.
on the flip side.. Pernell (although I'm a fan) has NEVER legitimately lost a fight according to him Neither has Holyfield