Thread: Who are the top Heavyweight contenders that never got to be champion

When i think of a heavyweight that was a good but never got a belt Ernie Shavers comes to mind.

Ron Lyle springs to mind

Was david tua ever a world champ?

I'm pretty sure the only belt Ken Norton ever got was the NABF. If that's the case, I think he wins.

Golota lost every title fight he was in?Harry Wills and Sam Langford only won the negro belts, Langford got a draw in his one shot against 25 lbs heavier Jack Johnson. Jerry Quarry lost all his title fight too I believe.Two Ton Tony lost in his one shot against Louis...cant think of any others.

Ken Nortan was the wbc champion actually in 1978 and then lost it to larry holmes.

Originally Posted by Mr140

Ken Nortan was the wbc champion actually in 1978 and then lost it to larry holmes.

Correct. They gave it to him when Leon Spinks fought Ali. Norton never won the title in the ring tho.

Earnie Shavers
Jimmy Young
David Tua
James Tillis
Razor Ruddock
Bert Cooper

Originally Posted by amat

I'm pretty sure the only belt Ken Norton ever got was the NABF. If that's the case, I think he wins.

Norton got awarded the Heavyweight Title but he never won it off someone.

This list of fighters:

Sam Langford
Cleveland Williams
Jerry Quarry
Earnie Shavers
Razor Ruddock

Is better than this list of fighters:

Marvin Hart
Tommy Burns
Primo Carnera
Max Schmeling
James J. Braddock.


(please note I have not included such luminaries as Shannon Briggs, Francisco Damiani, Gerry Coetzee etc as none of them were ever 'World' Champion, just alphabet boy titleholders.

Butterbean!

Yea but Nortan still had a title so i don't put him as a contender.

James Toney

are you joking or are serious when you say James toney is a top heavyweight contender.

Originally Posted by X

This list of fighters:

Sam Langford
Cleveland Williams
Jerry Quarry
Earnie Shavers
Razor Ruddock

Is better than this list of fighters:

Marvin Hart
Tommy Burns
Primo Carnera
Max Schmeling
James J. Braddock.


(please note I have not included such luminaries as Shannon Briggs, Francisco Damiani, Gerry Coetzee etc as none of them were ever 'World' Champion, just alphabet boy titleholders.

Schmeling wasn't a bad fighter, hard to believe he beat Louis but not a bad fighter. But the first list definitely trumps the second.