Most former champions KO'ed not being a champion?

[jiopsi]

Helenius 3 (Brewster, Peter, Liakhovich)

Who has more?

[BKM-2010]

Tua has KO'd several but some of them didn't win a title yet at the time I don't think, does he count? I'm guessing no.

[jiopsi]

Tua has KO'd several but some of them didn't win a title yet at the time I don't think, does he count? I'm guessing no.

Only Moorer as formed champ, Rahman as eventual champ?

[BattlingNelson]

Joe Louis has Carnera, Baer, Sharkey to draw even the Helenius.

[BattlingNelson]

Brian Nielsen has Tubbs, Bonecrusher and Witherspoon.

[jiopsi]

Forgot about Nielsen, he really fought a lot of quality opponents although he's not necessarily associated with quality boxers.

Helenius 3 (Brewster, Peter, Liakhovich)
Nielsen 3 (Smith, Tubbs, Witherspoon)
Louis 3 (Carnera, Baer, Sharkley)

[jiopsi]

Donovan Ruddock 4 (Alexander, Broad, Smith, Dokes)

It's amazing how Ruddock never held the title. Then again he ran into angry Mike Tyson, twice, after KO'ing 4 former champions, and those fights took something out of both fighters.

Ruddock 4 (Alexander, Broad, Smith, Dokes)
Helenius 3 (Brewster, Peter, Liakhovich)
Nielsen 3 (Smith, Tubbs, Witherspoon)
Louis 3 (Carnera, Baer, Sharkley)

[Scott9945]

Donovan Ruddock 4 (Alexander, Broad, Smith, Dokes)

Alexander and Broad never held titles, unless you count obscure meaningless regional titles.

[Bundana]

Is this thread only about heavyweights?

If not, I think Nielsen should also be credited with a ko win over former cruiserweight champ Carlos De Leon... which brings him alone in the lead with 4 former champs beaten inside the distance.