Best fighter never to be world champion?

[Humean]

Laszlo Papp.

One of the great amateur boxers with gold medals in 1948, 1952, 1956 and a professional record of 27-0-2. Turned pro in 1957 at the age of 31 and became the European Middleweight Champion between 1962-64, making six successful defences. Deprived of a shot at Giardello for the world title by the Communist Hungarian government.

Other thoughts?

[U_TALKING_2_ME?]

Charley Burley comes to mind first.

[rightsideup]

Laszlo Papp.

One of the great amateur boxers with gold medals in 1948, 1952, 1956 and a professional record of 27-0-2. Turned pro in 1957 at the age of 31 and became the European Middleweight Champion between 1962-64, making six successful defences. Deprived of a shot at Giardello for the world title by the Communist Hungarian government.

Other thoughts?

Yes one of the most accomplished amateurs ever. Going back though I would say Sam Langford. It is a shame Laszlo was denied his shot after representing his country so well in the oly games.

[mickey malone]

Holman Williams has to be in with a shout

[Humean]

Yes one of the most accomplished amateurs ever. Going back though I would say Sam Langford. It is a shame Laszlo was denied his shot after representing his country so well in the oly games.

I thing about Langford is that I think you could make a case that he was a world champion. He won the National Sporting club's version of the Heavyweight title in 1909 by beating Iron Hague. The history of boxing in this era seems to be entirely Nat Fleischer's view of things. The National Sporting Club's claim of who was champion was surely as valid as other claims. The National Sporting Club rejected Jack Johnson's claim because he wouldn't fight their champion.

Certainly Burley and Williams are strong candidates.

[joe strong]

david tua knocked out 4 former world champions... moorer & ruiz combined to last a minute...ruiz & moorer had about 15 world title fights between them at HW.

[NChristo]

Eddie Booker needs a mention.

[IronDanHamza]

Lloyd Marshall
Holman Williams
Bert Lytell
Eddie Booker
Charley Burley
Harry Willis
Packey McFarland
Billy Petrolle
Ken Norton
Joey Archer

[Humean]

Lloyd Marshall
Holman Williams
Bert Lytell
Eddie Booker
Charley Burley
Harry Willis
Packey McFarland
Billy Petrolle
Ken Norton
Joey Archer

Norton was a champ unless you are rejecting his recognition.

Petrolle is a good shout that I had almost completely forgotton about.

[IronDanHamza]

Norton was a champ unless you are rejecting his recognition.

Petrolle is a good shout that I had almost completely forgotton about.

Remind me.

I don't recall Norton ever winning the Title although I'm going completely off memory here.

Which fight did he win the title in because the first Ali fight wasn't for the Title and he came up short in his attempts against Foreman and Holmes and for the life of me I can't think of another time.