Fighters who would have prospered in the "In-Between" weight divisions

So many to choose from:

Hearns (Super Welterweight): The inspiration of this thread. A natural 154 pounder and would have ruled that division had it been in existence at the start of his career.

Henry Armstrong (Super Lightweight)

Ali (Cruiserweight): As dominant as he was as a HW, he would have been even more dominant and carried more punching power as a Cruiserweight.

Sugar Ray Robinson

At 154 lbs.

At Super-Welterweight, Sugar Ray Robinson was the best at his most 'natural'
fighting weight.

Rocky Graziano: Too big for Welter. Was successful to a degree at Middle, but would've been the perfect size at 154 (with a HUGE punch).

On a different note, I would say Terry Norris and Joe Calzaghe benefitted the most from the in between weights. I don't think either would've enjoyed the success they did had they been forced to fight one weight class up or down during their careers. Kind of like hagler at middleweight, some guys just have the perfect mix of size, speed, power...etc. to suit their style at a specific weight. It's what is hard for me to figure out when I'm ranking guys historically: do I place Marvin above Hop due to his more complete domination of his title defenses or do I rank Hop higher based on his historical feets at higher weights? Do I favor Floyd's consistency and dominance over numerous weight classes or lean towards Joe Louis utter cleaning out and domination at heavyweight?

Junior Heavyweights {188 lb. Limit}

Originally discussed in 1947

World Champions

* Ezzard Charles ......................... 1947 thru 1949 ...... Vacates Title to Challenge for Heavyweight Crown.
* Roland LaStarza ....................... 1950 thru 1953 ...... Wins 'vacant' Title.
* Bob Satterfield ......................... 1953 thru 1954
* Ezzard Charles {2nd reign} ....... 1954 thru 1955
* Tommy Jackson ....................... 1955
* Floyd Patterson ........................ 1955 and 1956 ...... Vacates Title to Challenge for Heavyweight Crown.
* Eddie Machen .......................... 1956 and 1958 ...... Wins 'vacant' Title. Relinquishes Title in 1958.
* Archie Moore ........................... 1958 thru 1961
* Henry Cooper ........................... 1961 thru 1964
* Doug Jones .............................. 1964 thru 1966
* Thad Spencer ........................... 1966 and 1967 ..... Vacates Title to Challenge for Heavyweight Crown.
* Leotis Martin ............................ 1968 thru 1970 ..... Wins 'vacant' Title. Retires due to an eye-injury.
* Floyd Patterson {2nd reign} ...... 1970 thru 1972 ..... Wins 'vacant' Title. 'Retires'
* Rudi Lubbers ............................ 1973 thru 1974 ..... Wins 'vacant' Title.
* Danny McAlinden ...................... 1974
* Bunny Johnson ......................... 1974 and 1976
* Young Sanford {Fred Houpe} .... 1976 thru 1979
* Earl Tripp.................................. 1979
* S.T. Gordon .............................. 1979 thru 1983

Does super cruiserweight count? ;D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

Does super cruiserweight count? ;D

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Only in South America.

Supercrucero'

Duran at 140. Probably the best ever at lightweight but had to jump a stone to fight guys like Hearns and Leonard.

Hagler would have moved up to super middle to beat Spinks who would move down in a great fight.

Bob Foster could have done well at cruiser
Carmen Basilio at 140 & 154 seeing how he won at welter and middleweight

Super Jr. Middleweight non Middleweight Cotto seems to be on quite a run.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sleepwalker

So many to choose from:

Hearns (Super Welterweight): The inspiration of this thread. A natural 154 pounder and would ruled that division had it been in existence at the start of his career.

Henry Armstrong (Super Lightweight)

Ali (Cruiserweight): As dominant as he was as a HW, he would have been even more dominant and carried more punching power as a Cruiserweight.

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I think nearly all of the HWs from back in the day would be cruiserweights now. Guys like Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Jack dempsey etc. were small and would defo be cruisers now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

Does super cruiserweight count? ;D

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Think the W.B.ahwhocares gave that a try with Bobby Czyz vs Richard Jackson. Don't remember it lasting.

Terry Norris was blessed to have Jr middle. Brought up enough welters to fight, legit P4P but didn't like his chances at Middle. Fought Taylor at catchweight but Taylor was top ranked in division, as well ranked P4P. Now that's a cw. Though you knew Norris was big fav

Vince Phillips prospered due to 140 being a weight class. He was blown out by Ike Quartey in 3 rounds at 147, dropped down to 140 and ended up stopping the great Kostya Tszyu. He was a very big 140 pounder and needed that size and punch advantage to be dominant/effective with his style.

Henry Armstrong

Would have owned the 140 lb. Division.

Gene Tunney

At 188 lbs., would have been a Junior Heavyweight Champion for
a very long time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mikeeod

Vince Phillips prospered due to 140 being a weight class. He was blown out by Ike Quartey in 3 rounds at 147, dropped down to 140 and ended up stopping the great Kostya Tszyu. He was a very big 140 pounder and needed that size and punch advantage to be dominant/effective with his style.

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Vince was as hard luck as they come and some of it he had himself to blame for. But man what a great battler with a granite head and quality skills when his head was clear and the flesh held up. The Quartey fight was just an absolute buzzsaw but all credit to Ike for being Ike. Looking lackluster and taking a return vs a southpaw Ellis was just dumb. Cool Vince came back from the edge of life more than a few times, beat his demons. Had that jackhammer right hand at its best with Tszyu!

Two more 140 pounders:
Ricky Hatton: Horrible showings at 147 and too big to make 135.
Kostya Tszyu: never even tried to venture from 140.

A few other thoughts/examples:
Bobby Cyz
Iran Barkley
Vinny Paz
Darren Van Horn
Joey Gamache

Would ANY of the above group been multiple weight "champs" without the in between weights? Now that I think about it, Ray Leonard even benefitted some by beat Don Lalonde for the 168 n 175 pound titles (won both same fight)!!!

Imagine what Marciano would do to the current light heavies?

I think his lightest was 178 so he would have been able to scale down

Wilfred Benetiez

Flourished at Light-Welterweight and Light-Middleweight.

Though, there are real questions as to >

Did he ever really make 140 lbs. in Puerto Rico. The 'insiders' say No Way.

Wilfred could get no lower than 144 lbs., even at {Age; 17 1/2}.