The Most Avoided Boxer of all Time??

Who holds the distinction of being the most avoided boxer of all time? I'll throw my hat in the ring with this one (but I've a feeling that some of you may have other ideas - as there have been quite a few over the years).
Aaron Pryor. Here was a world class performer who had to move out of the lightweight division prematurely as he could not get opponents to face him. As a junior welter (who would have also fought at welter) he fought during a period (late 70s early 80s) when Wilfred Benitez, Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns were all fighting each other. Where was Pryor in this mix?? Nowhere. None of the above wanted to know him. It took a guy moving up through the weights trying to make history (Alexis Areguello) to give Prior the superfights he deserved. Who knows, after beating Arguello twice he may have put the rest of the field off even more. The guy deserved a much better deal than he got. Also having been fortunate enough to have met him a few times I can confirm that he is an absolute gentlemen.

Charlie Burley
Herol Graham
Aaron Pryor
Mike McCallum
Joe Walcott

8)Herol Graham 8)

Iran Barkely, I know he did hearns twice but othere than that he seemed to be avoided, just watched barkley vs hearns 2 again what an underated fight that is. Amazing action

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Originally Posted by gally

Iran Barkely, I know he did hearns twice but othere than that he seemed to be avoided, just watched barkley vs hearns 2 again what an underated fight that is. Amazing action

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Yes amazing fight but he did fight Duran lost a close decision his stock went down after the Benn fight then he had another chance against Toney and blew it.

oh ye Ice forgot about the Toney fight good point.

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Originally Posted by gally

oh ye Ice forgot about the Toney fight good point.

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He still done probably the best he could of done he had good bloody go mate and he beat the legendary Hearns twice not many people can say they have done that.

ye bit of a sore point for me lol, Hearns is one of my all time fave fighters just rewatching his career, 1 word Legend ur right there Ice

Sam Langford

Both Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson relinquished belts to not have to fight Lennox, and Foreman said flat out while commentating that he didn't want anny part of Lewis. I'd say he should be in the conversation.

Burley

Sonny Liston ??

antonio margarito ;D

nah but seriously..aaron pryor

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Originally Posted by smashcrusher

Both Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson relinquished belts to not have to fight Lennox, and Foreman said flat out while commentating that he didn't want anny part of Lewis. I'd say he should be in the conversation.

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yes defo the most avoided money wise

Well just have to add the obvious one from the female division
Laila Ali is doing a fine job of finding places to be that Ann Wolfe wont be,its what 3 contracts Ali has backed out of now?

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Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Well just have to add the obvious one from the female division
Laila Ali is doing a fine job of finding places to be that Ann Wolfe wont be,its what 3 contracts Ali has backed out of now?

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She's decided it's safer to be "Dancing with the Stars."

;D

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Originally Posted by TitoFan

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Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey

Well just have to add the obvious one from the female division
Laila Ali is doing a fine job of finding places to be that Ann Wolfe wont be,its what 3 contracts Ali has backed out of now?

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She's decided it's safer to be "Dancing with the Stars."

;D

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Certainly safer then seeing them ;D

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Charlie Burley
Herol Graham
Aaron Pryor
Mike McCallum
Joe Walcott

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Good list, I think you've came a long way since you registered here.

I'm having trouble thinking of some names although I have a couple that are on the tip of my tongue.

I think southpaws are generally avoided, for one a lot of southpaws make for boring fights, and boring fights don't get as much contracts.

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Originally Posted by Chris N.

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Charlie Burley
Herol Graham
Aaron Pryor
Mike McCallum
Joe Walcott

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Good list, I think you've came a long way since you registered here.

I'm having trouble thinking of some names although I have a couple that are on the tip of my tongue.

I think southpaws are generally avoided, for one a lot of southpaws make for boring fights, and boring fights don't get as much contracts.

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Thanks Chris cc.

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

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Originally Posted by gally

Iran Barkely, I know he did hearns twice but othere than that he seemed to be avoided, just watched barkley vs hearns 2 again what an underated fight that is. Amazing action

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Yes amazing fight but he did fight Duran lost a close decision his stock went down after the Benn fight then he had another chance against Toney and blew it.

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I wouldn't say losing to Toney is blowing it... He would have never beat Toney.

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Originally Posted by Taeth

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

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Originally Posted by gally

Iran Barkely, I know he did hearns twice but othere than that he seemed to be avoided, just watched barkley vs hearns 2 again what an underated fight that is. Amazing action

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Yes amazing fight but he did fight Duran lost a close decision his stock went down after the Benn fight then he had another chance against Toney and blew it.

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I wouldn't say losing to Toney is blowing it... He would have never beat Toney.

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I know he wouldn't what im saying is that was his last chance to get back into the spotlight and he blew it i didn't mean it in a bad way sorry if it come across that way.

Sam Langford is my vote.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Langford

Fought from lightweight up to heavyweight, he was 5'7". Heavyweights didnt want to fight him.This guy fought about once a week, maybe two weeks after a tough fight.Joe Walcott got a decision draw, the weight wasnt disclosed so he has never gotten a shot at a non-negro title in the US, he did get shots at foreign titles.Jack Johnson ducked him like crazy then finally fought him to win a decision, he outweighed Langford 185 to 156 :o He didnt want to rematch later on. Boxrec has him at 200-47-46 but who knows really.The guys he fought in heavyweight were good fighters too, he was usually the smaller guy.

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Originally Posted by Dav

Who holds the distinction of being the most avoided boxer of all time? I'll throw my hat in the ring with this one (but I've a feeling that some of you may have other ideas - as there have been quite a few over the years).
Aaron Pryor. Here was a world class performer who had to move out of the lightweight division prematurely as he could not get opponents to face him. As a junior welter (who would have also fought at welter) he fought during a period (late 70s early 80s) when Wilfred Benitez, Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns were all fighting each other. Where was Pryor in this mix?? Nowhere. None of the above wanted to know him. It took a guy moving up through the weights trying to make history (Alexis Areguello) to give Prior the superfights he deserved. Who knows, after beating Arguello twice he may have put the rest of the field off even more. The guy deserved a much better deal than he got. Also having been fortunate enough to have met him a few times I can confirm that he is an absolute gentlemen.

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:coolclick:Couldn't agree more, Pryor was a dynamo in the ring. You gotta love that windmill action he used after the knockdown by Cervantes! He would have given Leonard, Duran and Hearns a hell of a time!
I also think Tszyu was avoided by DLH and Mosley. He would have caused them both much grief!!!

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Originally Posted by Canvasback

Sam Langford

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Absolutely

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Originally Posted by BoomBoom

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Originally Posted by Canvasback

Sam Langford

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Absolutely

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Harry Wills didn't avoid him, they fought 17 times!! WOW!

I think Earnie Shavers deserves a mention (althought not in the top) for getting prime Foreman and Frazier to not fight him.

sonny liston!

Sam Langford,,

Sam McVey,,

Jack Johnson (Until they had no choice but to fight him then once he was champion they had no choice)

Sonny Liston

Aaron Pryor,,

John Ruiz (His excessive holding makes his opponents feel uncomfortable..almost harassed)

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Sonny Liston ??

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Yea Liston
Joe Calzaghe...............or is it he avoids everyone :)

Charley Burley or Sam Langford

buster douglass

Good call on Sam Langford, and also Joe Jeanette, Sam McVey and Harry Wills. Charley Burley is up there. Sonny Liston, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore had to wait until they were well past their best before they got their chance.

It's hard to pick anybody modern, as the profileration of 'world' titles and weights means most people get their shot in the end, even if it's only about money and sanctioning fees. While I hate the Alphabet boys, it's really quite hard to be as frozen out as you could be in the past.

Me. I've been calling Team Mayweather, e-mailing Team Hatton, called up DLH's people, wrote a few letters to Shane Mosley's camp...nobody wants any of me. So I think I belong on those lists somewhere, probably near the top.

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

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Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING

Sonny Liston ??

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Yea Liston
Joe Calzaghe...............or is it he avoids everyone :)

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I dont think Calzaghe has deliberately avoided anyone, more a case of Frank Warren not making the right moves. In fact I think in the vast majority of cases the fighter himself will go in with anyone, its the promoters who seem to do the 'selective matchmaking' (ie. avoiding!!). Beware promoters/matchmakers.... the more you get the top names avoiding each other, and making fights with meaningless titles at stake, the more people will turn to MMA where the top boys are always facing each other. I'm not a particular fan of it myself but can certainly see where the attraction lies. We have now reached a point where world titles have become meaningless and top matches are made for the reputations rather than the belts.

Probably not on any top 10 lists or anything, but I remember Lewis was avoided for a loooong time by Holyfield. I guess Holyfield wanted to hold onto that title for as long as possible.

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Originally Posted by David H

Me. I've been calling Team Mayweather, e-mailing Team Hatton, called up DLH's people, wrote a few letters to Shane Mosley's camp...nobody wants any of me. So I think I belong on those lists somewhere, probably near the top.

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:lol:

With Burley non of the big boys wanted to know, they even offered Billy Con a fight who was Lt /Heavy but Billy said no. But in fairness if hed got beat he would have been out of the picture. Burley gave chunks of weight away often to get a payday,.

THE ALL MIGHTY----JOE HIPP :o :o :o

Pro Boxer 18

Mullet Man

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Originally Posted by uwey

THE ALL MIGHTY----JOE HIPP :o :o :o

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The Indian was a tough SOB....