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.