Who was the greatest Contender ever.

[Kev]

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?

[Kev]

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

[ElTerribleMorales]

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

[CFH]

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

[OumaFan]

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

[eagle]

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?

[CFH]

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

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.

[CutMeMick]

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

[Hulk]

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.

[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.

[Mattyhitman]

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.

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

[ICB]

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.

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.

[Kev]

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.

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.

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.

[ICB]

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.

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.

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.

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.

[Kev]

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.

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.

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.

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.