Who was the greatest Contender ever.

There's been a few candidates.

Sergio Mora is the only one to go on and win a world title after the show. He caused a shock against Vernon Forrest only to have it reversed a few months later.

Steve Forbes was the only legitimate belt holder prior to appearing on the show and was good enought to face both De La Hoya and Andre Berto.

Peter Manfredo is arguably the most popular fighter. He fought for a world title against Calzaghe, should have really beaten Joe Calzaghe and has looked good against B rate opponents.

Alfonso Gomez scored big wins over Arturo Gatti and Jose Luis Castillo, but got blasted by Cotto.

Sakio Bika is still considered a dangerous threat at 168 lbs and although he hasn't yet beaten a marquee name he's never been stopped against world class opposition in Joe Calzaghe and Lucian Bute

So who is the best?

I'm a bit torn, I think I will go with Stevie Forbes

i was really tempted in picking the "fuck off Bilbo" just cause i found it hilarious, but yea i'd go with Mora, i mean everything impressive that Forbes did (apart from his performances against Bojado and D-Hopkins) was done before the Contender, Mora went on to win the tourney (no matter how retarded), he beat the late Vernon Forrest (R.I.P) while he was the recognized junior middleweight champion, and well his only defeat was against Forrest in his last great performance, all in all he's shown the most improvement and actually managed to become a champion so i'd go with him as my pick

Mora by a significant margin. I still think he can make some noise at 154 if he ever starts fighting regularly.

Just looking at the entire career, not just what they did after the Contender, I'd go with Forbes.

I picked Bika. He may not have won a title but that could be an indication of the calibre of fighter in the 168 division. Being 5th-8th at supermiddle is probably as good an acheivment as winning an alphabet title at 154 currently.... Probably picked him more cos i like him better than Mora tho. If Mora was a 168 fighter would he have gone the distance with Joe and Bute?

I figured Bika would do well on this poll, I thought he would win actually.

Ouma has fucked the entire thread though by deciding he's too big to need to actually vote and can instead just say his pick in his post.

I rarely ever actually vote. I'm not sure if its beneath me or I'm just lazy.

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Originally Posted by OumaFan

I rarely ever actually vote. I'm not sure if its beneath me or I'm just lazy.

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Well if you don't vote then your opinion means less than nothing :)

Seriously? ???

I don't even know how this is on going...
The word greatest and the word the contender should NEVER be in the same sentence.

Just realized who started this thread.
You may proceed... ;D

In all seriousness this is actually a tough call.

Its def down to Forbes, Mora and Bika.

I'm gonna have to say Bika as I think he's a true "contender" and has an all action style.

For me it was Rubin Hurricane Carter , his story is such a sad one . A deadly puncher , robbed in his first shot , then jailed for 20/22 years for a crime he didn't commit. He would have won the title , the WBC agreed with me , because in 1993 they awarded the WBC honorary middle weight title belt to him . Tragic story of a great man , and the best contender.

I say f@*K off Bilbo...only because I do not believe we have seen the best contender yet....so no disrespect but I think we should wait a little longer....lol


Job Biscuit (But yes Mora is the best so far)!!!


eh eh!!

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

Peter Manfredo is arguably the most popular fighter. He fought for a world title against Calzaghe, should have really beaten Joe Calzaghe and has looked good against B rate opponents.

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Are you taking the piss!? I didn't give manfredo a hope in hell against calzaghe, there was no way, none what so ever he was going to win that fight. NONE!

Then there was the beating Lacy gave him. I met both lacy and manfredo before that fight and my brother (who doesn't know a hell of alot about boxing) said 'he's not fighting him is he? he'll get killed!' pointing out the obvious difference in size and physique.

The contenders aren't even really contenders. for the sake of argument you have to go with mora, but let's face it they're all pretty cack.

I also think I know what job biscuit means now.

Talent and opposition wise, I'd say the Scorpion Bika is the toughest piece in the jar.

Why is there no 'HTH is a joey' option?

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

For me it was Rubin Hurricane Carter , his story is such a sad one . A deadly puncher , robbed in his first shot , then jailed for 20/22 years for a crime he didn't commit. He would have won the title , the WBC agreed with me , because in 1993 they awarded the WBC honorary middle weight title belt to him . Tragic story of a great man , and the best contender.

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Good shout, a very sad story for a talented boxer. Loved the film also, got to be one of my fave boxing films or really a film about a boxer. Denzel did him proud, if i remember rightly it showed actual footage of Carter receiving the belt from the WBC on his release too !


That aside i would vote Forbes ;)

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Originally Posted by ono

Why is there no 'HTH is a joey' option?

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joey ;D haven't heard that one in years

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Originally Posted by ono

Why is there no 'HTH is a joey' option?

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Correct, ono

it's not a kosher poll without the 'HTH is a joey' option?

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Originally Posted by Fenster

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Originally Posted by ono

Why is there no 'HTH is a joey' option?

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Correct, ono

it's not a kosher poll without the 'HTH is a joey' option?

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so, are you altering the poll or shall I?;D

you can alter polls? sure i failed at that before :-\

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Originally Posted by Fenster

you can alter polls? sure i failed at that before :-\

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It needs altering.

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Originally Posted by OumaFan

Just looking at the entire career, not just what they did after the Contender, I'd go with Forbes.

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For some reason I assumed he meant in their post-Contender career. I'd probably vote Forbes as well if I'd thought about it that way.

I have to go with Bika for a few reasons... I know Mora's won a world title against a faded Forrest... but then was beaten by the same faded Forrest. As far as fighting the better op, it would HAVE to be Bika. Forbes was a good superfeatherweight so he'd be #2... Mora would be a close #3.

Gomez did not beat Gatti....He beat a shot fighter who was at one time able to go to war and force who ever went with him to either stop him asap or be drawn into it as well...Gatti at 147 was a faded warrior who could no longer make weight...

Castillo same thing...I don't see Gomez going the distance with the LW version of Jose..

Forbes really IMO was not a Contender..He had his best days past him even though he did put good showings vs DLH and Berto....I did not understand why he was on the show he was a former champion...

Bika a true contender and still is...Peter a good fighter one of the best in the B fighter list.....

Mora is very skilled and won a world title against a very good champion who even past his best days was truly elite...Gotta go with Sergio

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

Peter Manfredo is arguably the most popular fighter. He fought for a world title against Calzaghe, should have really beaten Joe Calzaghe and has looked good against B rate opponents.

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I haven't been on the forum long enough to pass my own judgement but is this tongue in cheek? I hope so. For your sake and sanity. :D

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Originally Posted by koppas

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

Peter Manfredo is arguably the most popular fighter. He fought for a world title against Calzaghe, should have really beaten Joe Calzaghe and has looked good against B rate opponents.

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I haven't been on the forum long enough to pass my own judgement but is this tongue in cheek? I hope so. For your sake and sanity. :D

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Let your judgement pass away. Bilbo's crazier than a shit house rat ;D

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Originally Posted by PRIDE OF BOSTON

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Originally Posted by koppas

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

Peter Manfredo is arguably the most popular fighter. He fought for a world title against Calzaghe, should have really beaten Joe Calzaghe and has looked good against B rate opponents.

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I haven't been on the forum long enough to pass my own judgement but is this tongue in cheek? I hope so. For your sake and sanity. :D

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Let your judgement pass away. Bilbo's crazier than a shit house rat ;D

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Coming from the man who paid to watch Manfredo fight live.

But yes I am bat shit crazy :D

HTH is a joey.

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

For me it was Rubin Hurricane Carter , his story is such a sad one . A deadly puncher , robbed in his first shot , then jailed for 20/22 years for a crime he didn't commit. He would have won the title , the WBC agreed with me , because in 1993 they awarded the WBC honorary middle weight title belt to him . Tragic story of a great man , and the best contender.

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He was not robbed thats a myth, in truth it was a very close fight. Which is why the Joey Giardello family sued the film makers. Infact talking about the film that was alot of lies and nonsense aswell, and theres pretty strong evidence to suggest that he did actually do it.

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Originally Posted by ICB

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

For me it was Rubin Hurricane Carter , his story is such a sad one . A deadly puncher , robbed in his first shot , then jailed for 20/22 years for a crime he didn't commit. He would have won the title , the WBC agreed with me , because in 1993 they awarded the WBC honorary middle weight title belt to him . Tragic story of a great man , and the best contender.

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He was not robbed thats a myth, in truth it was a very close fight. Which is why the Joey Giardello family sued the film makers. Infact talking about the film that was alot of lies and nonsense aswell, and theres pretty strong evidence to suggest that he did actually do it.

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Sorry Ice but you can't just go against Hollywood like that. The film was great, it had a great soundtrack and many poignent moments. All of this proves he was innocent.

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by ICB

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

For me it was Rubin Hurricane Carter , his story is such a sad one . A deadly puncher , robbed in his first shot , then jailed for 20/22 years for a crime he didn't commit. He would have won the title , the WBC agreed with me , because in 1993 they awarded the WBC honorary middle weight title belt to him . Tragic story of a great man , and the best contender.

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He was not robbed thats a myth, in truth it was a very close fight. Which is why the Joey Giardello family sued the film makers. Infact talking about the film that was alot of lies and nonsense aswell, and theres pretty strong evidence to suggest that he did actually do it.

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Sorry Ice but you can't just go against Hollywood like that. The film was great, it had a great soundtrack and many poignent moments. All of this proves he was innocent.

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LOL yea it was an entertaining flick, but it is pretty insulting to the viewers. When its based on a true story and most of it is BS.

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Originally Posted by ICB

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by ICB

He was not robbed thats a myth, in truth it was a very close fight. Which is why the Joey Giardello family sued the film makers. Infact talking about the film that was alot of lies and nonsense aswell, and theres pretty strong evidence to suggest that he did actually do it.

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Sorry Ice but you can't just go against Hollywood like that. The film was great, it had a great soundtrack and many poignent moments. All of this proves he was innocent.

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LOL yea it was an entertaining flick, but it is pretty insulting to the viewers. When its based on a true story and most of it is BS.

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I disagree. I was equally disgusted when the Baer family tried to defend their man slaughtering, violent, bad tempered, mercilessly wicked ancestor who was justifiably beaten by the heroic Jim Braddock.

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Originally Posted by ICB

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

For me it was Rubin Hurricane Carter , his story is such a sad one . A deadly puncher , robbed in his first shot , then jailed for 20/22 years for a crime he didn't commit. He would have won the title , the WBC agreed with me , because in 1993 they awarded the WBC honorary middle weight title belt to him . Tragic story of a great man , and the best contender.

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He was not robbed thats a myth, in truth it was a very close fight. Which is why the Joey Giardello family sued the film makers. Infact talking about the film that was alot of lies and nonsense aswell, and theres pretty strong evidence to suggest that he did actually do it.

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Oh and next you will be saying , Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang were not good contenders ?;D

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

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Originally Posted by ICB

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

For me it was Rubin Hurricane Carter , his story is such a sad one . A deadly puncher , robbed in his first shot , then jailed for 20/22 years for a crime he didn't commit. He would have won the title , the WBC agreed with me , because in 1993 they awarded the WBC honorary middle weight title belt to him . Tragic story of a great man , and the best contender.

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He was not robbed thats a myth, in truth it was a very close fight. Which is why the Joey Giardello family sued the film makers. Infact talking about the film that was alot of lies and nonsense aswell, and theres pretty strong evidence to suggest that he did actually do it.

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Oh and next you will be saying , Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang were not good contenders ?;D

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They both became world champions, Lang albiet briefly. Therefore by definition they are not to be considered as Contenders.

Also the fact that they were never on the Contender also eliminates them :)

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Originally Posted by Bilbo

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

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Originally Posted by ICB

He was not robbed thats a myth, in truth it was a very close fight. Which is why the Joey Giardello family sued the film makers. Infact talking about the film that was alot of lies and nonsense aswell, and theres pretty strong evidence to suggest that he did actually do it.

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Oh and next you will be saying , Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang were not good contenders ?;D

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They both became world champions, Lang albiet briefly. Therefore by definition they are not to be considered as Contenders.

Also the fact that they were never on the Contender also eliminates them :)

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So its pointless me staking a claim for Homer "THE Brickhithouse " Simpson ? as a top contender ? he only lost to Dreadrick Tatum .

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

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Originally Posted by ICB

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

For me it was Rubin Hurricane Carter , his story is such a sad one . A deadly puncher , robbed in his first shot , then jailed for 20/22 years for a crime he didn't commit. He would have won the title , the WBC agreed with me , because in 1993 they awarded the WBC honorary middle weight title belt to him . Tragic story of a great man , and the best contender.

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He was not robbed thats a myth, in truth it was a very close fight. Which is why the Joey Giardello family sued the film makers. Infact talking about the film that was alot of lies and nonsense aswell, and theres pretty strong evidence to suggest that he did actually do it.

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Oh and next you will be saying , Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang were not good contenders ?;D

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Sorry mate but you've lost me there ? what has me saying that a film based on a true story/true event. Is mostly all BS got to do with Rocky ?

:confused:

Jonathan Reid.

This thread actually makes me feel sad when you consider ive at some stage in my life sniggered at each of those that have been on the poll.

Contender is just like xfactor/americas got idol etc. You can pick out the most promising talent of the bunch but once they leave the nest and enter the big wide world they become just another fighter

You can teach someone how to be great, you cant make them great