Greg Haugen

It's entirely possible for somebody who would be a champion in another era to not be a champion in his own era. That's because the champion in his era are better than the champions in some other eras. That's probably best put down to bad luck.

The tough question is how many fighters who were not champions were better than some fighters who were champions. But certainly many champions were better than most fighters who were not champions. Some fighters who were champions might even have been better than all fighters who were not champions, though this too is a risky proposition. That is a very tough question indeed and one which I shall have to give some thought to. One thing I am certain of though is that all fighters who become champions are good fighters and all fighters who don't become champions, but are good, can also be as good as those who do become champions. Saying that, it does not mean that all those who don't become champions are good because many of them are not. The distinction to make is between those who are good and those who are not. Those who are good sometimes become champions and that proves that they are good, whereas those who don't become champions, but are also good, are not necessarily proven to be bad. In many instances they can be better than the champions but not always. Thus, once again, the distinction to make is between those who are good and those who are not, not just those who are champions and good and those who are not champions but also good.

The tough question is how many fighters who were not champions were better than some fighters who were champions. But certainly many champions were better than most fighters who were not champions. Some fighters who were champions might even have been better than all fighters who were not champions, though this too is a risky proposition. Risky proposition indeed, but one that needs to be questioned. If a fighter can win his fights, but not win a title, and another fighter can only win some of his fights, but win a title, it's a real puzzle as to which fighter is the better fight. Journeymen are underrated and champions are overrated in most instances. It's hard to imagine a world where true parity exists, and rankings can be clearly established.

It's weird because I'd never think he could lose/ win that close of decisions to Hector Camacho. I haven't watched those 2 fights but if you asked me who'd win between those 2, I'd quickly say Hector. I'm gonna try and download that tomorrow. Camacho beat him clearly both times imo but decided not to touch gloves in the 12th, which cost him a point, BS, second fight whoever scored it for Haugen is on crack.

I think an important distinction to make is that he was a champion and other fighters were not, though there are many better champions than him too. He was better than some champions, not as good as others, but maybe better than most fighters who weren't champions. The tough question is how many fighters who were not champions were better than some fighters who were champions. But certainly many champions were better than most fighters who were not champions. Some fighters who were champions might even have been better than all fighters who were not champions, though this too is a risky proposition.

He made it really, really far for a guy who started out in Toughman competitions. He did do really well. Better than some professional boxers, but not as well as some others. I think it's fair to say he was not the best, but nor was he the worst. Good thread.

He made it really, really far for a guy who started out in Toughman competitions.

I think an important distinction to make is that he was a champion and other fighters were not, though there are many better champions than him too. He was better than some champions, not as good as others, but maybe better than most fighters who weren't champions. Sweet analysis. He was better than some champions, and worse than some champions. It's also true that he is better than some guys who never won a championship, and probably not as good as other fighters who didn't win a championship. If I had to rate Haugen, I do think that he would be somewhere in the middle of the rankings. By the middle, I mean, not the best or the worst.

Knew nothing about him, but saw many of his fights on ESPN classic and man was he a tough SOB. Love those wars with Pazienza. Not a gifted or special fighter, but we need more guys like Haugen out there. His wars with Paz were definitely classics. Pure heart from them both!

Excellent post. It's important to note that he was not the greatest of all time, but he was not the worst of all time either. He was probably correctly placed somewhere in the middle. I think an important distinction to make is that he was a champion and other fighters were not, though there are many better champions than him too. He was better than some champions, not as good as others, but maybe better than most fighters who weren't champions.

Knew nothing about him, but saw many of his fights on ESPN classic and man was he a tough SOB. Love those wars with Pazienza. Not a gifted or special fighter, but we need more guys like Haugen out there.

Haugen had a better career than most boxers, though not as good as some boxers. Some boxers had better careers. Excellent post. It's important to note that he was not the greatest of all time, but he was not the worst of all time either. He was probably correctly placed somewhere in the middle.

Haugen had a better career than most boxers, though not as good as some boxers. Some boxers had better careers.

I watched him since the begining and he was definitely a big over achiever. Won alot of fights even I didn't expect. Always had a good attitude any very likable!

He had two absolute wars with Pazienza, great fights. Decent counter puncher, good/underrated jab, tough as fcuk. He got schooled!! by Whitaker in one of the most complete Boxing performances ive ever seen, although he did manage to beat Camacho in a close fight. I felt Camacho lost that fight by going negative in the last 2/3 round, he tried to hit Haugen on break in the 12th round and got himself a point deduction which probably lost him the fight.

It's weird because I'd never think he could lose/ win that close of decisions to Hector Camacho. I haven't watched those 2 fights but if you asked me who'd win between those 2, I'd quickly say Hector. I'm gonna try and download that tomorrow.

Was very underrated. Got beaten up by Chavez very badly in an easy fight for Chavez. Haugen was a a real warrior, his attitude was what did him in imo