GREAT FIGHTERS BUT

In the last 30-40 years there have been some awfully good fighters who were properly overshadowed by better ones. In many cases these almost great fighters were just one or two wins from a spot in the Hall of Fame. Here are some of them.

Michael Nunn-Before he ran into James Toney and got turned around, he had beaten consecutively Frank Tate, Juan Roldan, Sumbu Kalambay, Iran Barkely, Marlon Starling and Donald Curry. Holy crap! For ten rounds he also dominated Toney...but...

Betulio Gonzales-The Venezuelan Hammer lost twice by split decision to ATG Miguel Canto. If he wins those fights? He's a top 5-10 flyweight of all time. It's almost a joke he's not in the HOF.

Juan LaPorte-Fought competitive fights with Azumah Nelson, Barry McGuigan, Julio Cesar Chavez and Eusabio Pedroza. He could have won the Chavez fight.

Ernesto Marcel-A great what if. Before he retired as a 26 year old featherweight, the Panamanian had lost to Roberto Duran and beaten 8 ranked guys. In his last two fights he beat Sammy Serrano and Alexis Arguello. Not too shabby.

Yaqui Lopez-A light heavyweight who would OWN the division today. The problem is in his own time he had to deal with HOFer after HOFer. He went life and death with Saad Muhammad twice, lost a decision to Victor Galindez and got drilled by Michael Spinks.

Benny Briscoe-The best in the golden age of Philly middleweights. beat over a dozen ranked guys, a HUGE puncher. Went the distance with Hagler, came this close to dropping Monzon in Argentina, got a draw and an SD loss to Emil Griffith.

Ruben Castillo-At one point the classy California featherweight was 62-5. His losses were to Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan LaPorte, Salvador Sanchez and Alexis Arguello. Now THAT is tough luck.

Who else was close to great but not quite?

Julian Jackson- Got BodySnatched after KOing 25 of first 27 opponents. Went on to viciously KO Terry Norris. Then lost to McClellan twice. Great puncher lots of trinket defenses but not a Hall of Famer.

Jerry Quarry. It's his tough luck that he came along in what may have been the greatest era in the HW division. Fought well in his first fight against Joe Frazier but was stopped late. Joe almost killed him the 2nd time around. Fought good fights against Patterson and Ellis. Knocked out Earnie Shavers in under a round. Also, took care of Ron Lyle. Two losses to Muhammad Ali. Generally known as the "Best of the Rest" in the 60s and 70s HW division. I don't think he'd have trouble with any HW today. Not good to start naming people he may've beaten from other eras. The list is too long. In my opinion, he lost to the best fighters that ever did it, but still managed to make a name for himself.

again rodrigo valdez at middle

4445Frank wrote:

Jerry Quarry. It's his tough luck that he came along in what may have been the greatest era in the HW division. Fought well in his first fight against Joe Frazier but was stopped late. Joe almost killed him the 2nd time around. Fought good fights against Patterson and Ellis. Knocked out Earnie Shavers in under a round. Also, took care of Ron Lyle. Two losses to Muhammad Ali. Generally known as the "Best of the Rest" in the 60s and 70s HW division. I don't think he'd have trouble with any HW today. Not good to start naming people he may've beaten from other eras. The list is too long. In my opinion, he lost to the best fighters that ever did it, but still managed to make a name for himself.

Yup on all counts.

That Nunn-Starling fight was one of the most painful things I have ever had to endure.

dmar5143 wrote:

again rodrigo valdez at middle

Again, I thought about him and chose not to write. he's a perfect candidate. Had he hung on late against Monzon? he's a famous guy.

I think we should add HOFers/Future HOFers too...

Juan Manuel Marquez - He'll always be overshadowed by Pacquiao and the Mexican legends that came right before him.

Ricky Hatton - His entire career will be looked at in retrospect in comparison to Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Shane Mosley - Even though he beat Oscar, I don't think he escaped his shadow. The way he looked against Mayweather will be fresh in people's minds when thinking about his legacy.

Vernon Forrest - Vernon didn't get enough big fights. The losses to Mayorga looked bad.

Ike Quartey - Couldn't establish himself on the big stage.

Fernando Vargas - Caught in Tito's and De La Hoya's shadow.

Joe Calzaghe - Forever in the shadows of two guys he beat: Bhop and RJJ.

Chris Eubank & Nigel Benn - Makes sense to put them together, and below Calzaghe.

Glen Johnson - A Fans' fighter. Didn't get the breaks.

Vitali & Wladamir Klitschko - Victims of their era.

Oscar Larios - I'm confident he'll end up the forgotten man despite a great career.

Naseem Hamed - His entire career gets overlooked because he lost on his biggest stage and was known more for style than substance.

Hector Camacho - Lost his flash early and fizzled out in some big fights.

Oba Carr - Had to get one that would go unnoticed.

Winky Wright - Didn't get the breaks. Didn't help himself.

Gumby wrote:

I think we should add HOFers/Future HOFers too...

Juan Manuel Marquez - He'll always be overshadowed by Pacquiao and the Mexican legends that came right before him.

Ricky Hatton - His entire career will be looked at in retrospect in comparison to Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Shane Mosley - Even though he beat Oscar, I don't think he escaped his shadow. The way he looked against Mayweather will be fresh in people's minds when thinking about his legacy.

Vernon Forrest - Vernon didn't get enough big fights. The losses to Mayorga looked bad.

Ike Quartey & - Couldn't establish himself on the big stage.

Fernando Vargas - Caught in Tito's and De La Hoya's shadow.

Joe Calzaghe - Forever in the shadows of two guys he beat: Bhop and RJJ.

Chris Eubank & Nigel Benn - Makes sense to put them together, and below Calzaghe.

Glen Johnson - A Fans' fighter. Didn't get the breaks.

Vitali & Wladamir Klitschko - Victims of their era.

Oscar Larios - I'm confident he'll end up the forgotten man despite a great career.

Naseem Hamed - His entire career gets overlooked because he lost on his biggest stage and was known more for style than substance.

Hector Camacho - Lost his flash early and fizzled out in some big fights.

Oba Carr - Had to get one that would go unnoticed.

Winky Wright - Didn't get the breaks. Didn't help himself.

I think that's an excellent list.

good list and explantions.

Gumby wrote:

I think we should add HOFers/Future HOFers too...

Juan Manuel Marquez - He'll always be overshadowed by Pacquiao and the Mexican legends that came right before him.

Ricky Hatton - His entire career will be looked at in retrospect in comparison to Pacquiao and Mayweather.

Shane Mosley - Even though he beat Oscar, I don't think he escaped his shadow. The way he looked against Mayweather will be fresh in people's minds when thinking about his legacy.

Vernon Forrest - Vernon didn't get enough big fights. The losses to Mayorga looked bad.

Ike Quartey & - Couldn't establish himself on the big stage.

Fernando Vargas - Caught in Tito's and De La Hoya's shadow.

Joe Calzaghe - Forever in the shadows of two guys he beat: Bhop and RJJ.

Chris Eubank & Nigel Benn - Makes sense to put them together, and below Calzaghe.

Glen Johnson - A Fans' fighter. Didn't get the breaks.

Vitali & Wladamir Klitschko - Victims of their era.

Oscar Larios - I'm confident he'll end up the forgotten man despite a great career.

Naseem Hamed - His entire career gets overlooked because he lost on his biggest stage and was known more for style than substance.

Hector Camacho - Lost his flash early and fizzled out in some big fights.

Oba Carr - Had to get one that would go unnoticed.

Winky Wright - Didn't get the breaks. Didn't help himself.

VERY nicely done.

wilfredo benitez. the reason why is because he gets overshadowed by duran, hagler, leonard and hearns.
and while im at it alfredo el salsero escalera, pedro montanez and jose basora.
btw im going by gumbys adding of HOF fighters.