Fighters who were "unknown" in their first title shot and won it

[SlySlickSmooth]

I guess recent one being Chris Algieri winning the title, can anyone else name Championship fights where the challenger was practically an unknown fighter to the public(and boxing fans) and won the title.

Preferably the champion in the fight should be somewhat to well known.

[Bushbaby]

Carlos Baldomir beating Judah in New York.

[SeekDaGreat]

Rigondeaux? He was unknown to me before he handled Donaire.

[dan_cov]

Darren Barker, even Michael Buffer got his name wrong and introduced him as Darren Baker

[GeneralZod]

Buster Douglas

[PrinceNaz88]

Tim Bradley was not very well known when he came over to fight Witter.

Suppose he still isn't.

[dan_cov]

Rigondeaux was already a world champion and that was Busters second try.

[SeekDaGreat]

Rigondeaux was already a world champion and that was Busters second try.

Gotcha. At what point did he win his title? Had to he in his first 10 fights, right?

[dan_cov]

Gotcha. At what point did he win his title? Had to he in his first 10 fights, right?

Yeah his 8th pro fight I believe against Rico Ramos. Could say he was an unknown then though.

[teddycanyon]

There are a whole bunch, esp. at the lower weights where even the champions aren't really well known. But the most notable recent example to me is Tim Bradley. When he got his title shot against Junior Witter, he was a late replacement not expected to put up much of a fight. In the early going it was going according to script until Bradley dropped Witter with a perfect right hand and then dominated the rest of the fight.

Another big one was the unknown Juan Carlos Salgado, KOing Jorge Linares in round 1.