Through HW boxing history there have been figures who were better then journeyman but never seemed to reach the upper echelon. They still had the ability to seperate the contenders from the pretenders and served as effective gatekeepers to the top 10 or top 5. A few got title shots but were never successful. Here are a few:

1900s and teens- Sandy Ferguson, Fireman Jim Flynn

1920-50s- Charley Weinert, Paulino Uzcudun, Lee Savold,

1960s and 70s- George Chuvalo, Roy 'Tiger' Williams, Scott LeDoux
1980s- Tex Cobb, James Tillis, Jesse Ferguson
1990s- Ray Mercer, David Izon, Bert Cooper
2000s- Monte Barret, Fres Oquendo

I don't agree with Oquendo being a gatekeeper at all, but you are right on with Barrett.

I knew some would be surprised at Oquendo but if you look at him he really has shown to have all the gatekeeper qualities-knocked off prospects Dokiwari and Ettiene but couldn't win against the top dogs Tua, Byrd (i know it was very close but Fres fouled so much in that fight and fought so ugly I don't think either main deserved the win) and Ruiz . . also would've lost to Maurice Harris if he hadn't rabbit-punched him hard and hurt him . ..

I think Jerry Quarry should be added and maybe even Ron Lyle and Ernie Shavers too.

I would say Lyle and Quarry were on a higher level then that of a gatekeeper, since they were successful against other proven contenders . . .

Zora folley, Eddie machen.

tua was an excellent gatekeeper in the 90s. good boxers got past him, the rest got koed

Jerry quarry should be no where near that list. Look how deep the division was during his era.

Ken Norton, despite being a brief champion, was also for most of his career a test for future champions. They had to get past him to get to the title.

Black

jerry quarry, that man faught the hardest men boxing seen in the 70's Foreman,Fraizer,Ali he beat everyone one else, he got so close and if these amazing boxers were 10 years later down the road he would of easily got the title.

Tillis and Cobb probably could have been champs if 1)Tillis had fought better in his fight against Weaver and 2) Cobb had fought Weaver instead of Larry Holmes.

Through HW boxing history there have been figures who were better then journeyman but never seemed to reach the upper echelon. They still had the ability to seperate the contenders from the pretenders and served as effective gatekeepers to the top 10 or top 5. A few got title shots but were never successful. Here are a few:

1900s and teens- Sandy Ferguson, Fireman Jim Flynn

1920-50s- Charley Weinert, Paulino Uzcudun, Lee Savold,

1960s and 70s- George Chuvalo, Roy 'Tiger' Williams, Scott LeDoux
1980s- Tex Cobb, James Tillis, Jesse Ferguson
1990s- Ray Mercer, David Izon, Bert Cooper
2000s- Monte Barret, Fres Oquendo

You forgot Shavers!

20's-30's Johnny Risko

Pre 1900's Joe Choynski