Cuban Jose Napoles couldn't get a title shot at either 135 or 140 despite beating top guys so he went up to 147 and took out HOFer Curtis Cokes. Napoles then made 13 defenses as THE MAN in two title reigns.
Here is Napoles (in white) destroying Cokes
Here is a fine article recapping Napoles' win over Emil Griffith
The honorable mentions are the highly deserving Azumah Nelson (who could have won here), the deserving Kid Norfolk and Battling Nelson, and two guys to fill out the five in Kenny Norton and Terry Norris.
Subject: Re: THE BEST EVER-THE LETTER "N" Sun Aug 29, 2010 6:14 pm
As far as the O's go two Ninja Immortals, Ruben Olivares and Manuel Ortiz oughtta be among the candidates. I'd also expect a mention for not quite a Ninja Immortal Carlos Ortiz.