What Are the 5 best Woulda Shoulda fights that Coulda but weren't ?

[mcvey]

I'll chuck out a couple.
Wills v Dempsey
Lewis v Bowe
Sanchez v Pedroza.
McGuigan v Nelson
Burley v Robinson.
What are your picks?

[turpinr]

mike mccallum - tommy hearns
jake lamotta - rocky graziano
rocky marciano - nino valdez
john conteh - bob foster
charley burley -jake lamotta/tonyzale

[GPater11093]

McCallum vs Hagler
(old) Zale vs (young) LaMotta
Leonard vs Curry or Pryor
Calzaghe vs Jones JR (primes)

[SuzieQ49]

rocky marciano - nino valdez



you really think valdez would be that competitive? not saying i think your opinion was wrong, but ive done alot of studying on this topic and looked at the positives of both fighters styles on film....and i dont see nino seeing round 10 vs the rock. also rocky never ducked valdez in case u may think so. patterson vs valdez would be alot more intersting and competitive.

[natonic]

I'll answer this question the same a hundred times. These fights should have absolutely happened and it wasn't the fighters fault so much as the WBA-WBC (and maybe King - Arum nonsense):

Sanchez - Pedroza
Chandler - Pintor
Saad Muhammed - Mustafa Muhammed II

To finish at the number 5, I think it would've been great to see:
Leonard - Pryor
Duran - Cervantes around 75 or 76

[raiderjay]

Foreman vs. Tyson
DM vs. RJJ
DLH vs. Tito 2

These aren't necessarily the best, but ones that I personally would have wanted to see above quite a few others. Especially Foreman/Tyson pre-prison.

[Bill Butcher]

Morales-Hamed

Sanchez-Arguello

Leonard-Pryor

Duran-Arguello

Morales-Marquez

[MAG1965]

I'll chuck out a couple.
Wills v Dempsey
Lewis v Bowe
Sanchez v Pedroza.
McGuigan v Nelson
Burley v Robinson.
What are your picks?
McGuigan/Nelson should have happened, although it is a good thing for McGuigan that he was stopped by Stevie Cruz. I think Nelson would have stopped him in the mid rounds. Lewis/Bowe looks like Lewis gets the win and stops Bowe.

[liver shot]

tunney vs sharkey

[My2Sense]

Sanchez - Pedroza
Chandler - Pintor
Saad Muhammed - Mustafa Muhammed II



My top 3 right there.

Then I'll add:

Hostak-Garcia
Palomino-Cuevas

[Russell]

Duran/Pryor and Duran/Arguello.

[HomicideHenry]

Graziano/LaMotta would have been a war, imo.

If memory serves me correct, as far as Marciano is concerned, Earl Walls was supposed to be his next opponent, as Baker and Valdes were exited out due to a lackluster performance from both men. Walls, though, I think would have been stopped in 10-11 rounds.

[Mantequilla]

Dean Francis vs Calzaghe

[dpw417]

My top 3 right there.

Then I'll add:

Hostak-Garcia
Palomino-Cuevas[/quote]
Hostak-Garcia
That's an interesting pick for a fight. The middleweight terror against the fighter Armstrong defended/challenged against...Some pick for a fight.
Who would you pick?
How big a puncher was Garcia considered to be? (Armstrong's performance at middleweight astonishes me)

[spion]

Holmes vs. Foreman

[Longhhorn71]

Leonard-Cuevas was ready to go.....but Ray walked.

[BUDW]

Stevenson vs Ali

[asero]

Jc-dm

[he grant]

Dempsey - Wills

Dempsey - Greb

Greb - Langford

Johnson - Langford 2

McCallum - Leonard

Bowe - Lewis

Holmes - Foreman

Tunney - Sharkey

Sullivan - Jackson

Tunney - Norfalk

[SuzieQ49]

some great suggestions in this thread....If I may I would love to include Archie Moore vs Jersey Joe Walcott.. These men fought EVERYONE of the era except eachother!

[Bummy Davis]

some great suggestions in this thread....If I may I would love to include Archie Moore vs Jersey Joe Walcott.. These men fought EVERYONE of the era except eachother!


Good thought...I think I go with JJW but Archie beat some good Heavy's...tough one

[Bummy Davis]

I go with Dempsey/Wills Tunney/Sharkey Lewis/Bowe Holmes/WeaverII Holmes/Page Holmes/Thomas Holmes/Tate Holmes/Dokes and an interesting encounter with Holmes/Gerrie Coetzee

[My2Sense]

That's an interesting pick for a fight. The middleweight terror against the fighter Armstrong defended/challenged against...Some pick for a fight.
Who would you pick?
How big a puncher was Garcia considered to be? (Armstrong's performance at middleweight astonishes me)

Garcia was considered a pretty damn big puncher. By all accounts, he was very impressive against Apostoli, and many people considered him the unofficial best fighter in the division at the time he defended against Armstrong.

It's possible Hostak might've been too big and powerful for him, but if he could survive the early rounds, it's possible he might've been too strong for Hostak over the late going.


This was from a NY Times report on the Garcia-Apostoli fight:

"The only complaint with his[Garcia's] station is its controversial condition. He has not undisputed possession of the crown once worn by Stanley Ketchel. Al Hostak of Seattle is recognized as champion by the National Boxing Association and it will take a battle between the two to decide the question beyond dispute - if Hostak can be dragged into a ring with the fighting demon who toppled Apostoli.
But those who saw Garcia score this victory are satisfied he is the champion. For Garcia embodies everything that goes to make a titleholder, notwithstanding his long years of ring service and his 29 years of age.
He is strong. He can box. He can punch. He can absorb punishment. He can adjust himself to ring situations as they develop, is resourceful, alert, cool under fire, a perfect fury when the tide swings his way."

[GPater11093]

Garcia was considered a pretty damn big puncher. By all accounts, he was very impressive against Apostoli, and many people considered him the unofficial best fighter in the division at the time he defended against Armstrong.

It's possible Hostak might've been too big and powerful for him, but if he could survive the early rounds, it's possible he might've been too strong for Hostak over the late going.


This was from a NY Times report on the Garcia-Apostoli fight:

"The only complaint with his[Garcia's] station is its controversial condition. He has not undisputed possession of the crown once worn by Stanley Ketchel. Al Hostak of Seattle is recognized as champion by the National Boxing Association and it will take a battle between the two to decide the question beyond dispute - if Hostak can be dragged into a ring with the fighting demon who toppled Apostoli.
But those who saw Garcia score this victory are satisfied he is the champion. For Garcia embodies everything that goes to make a titleholder, notwithstanding his long years of ring service and his 29 years of age.
He is strong. He can box. He can punch. He can absorb punishment. He can adjust himself to ring situations as they develop, is resourceful, alert, cool under fire, a perfect fury when the tide swings his way."

Armstrong was amazing against Ceferino Garcia from the highlights i saw. He was mothering Garcias attacks by mving forward and landing his own but was then pushing around Garcia.

Was the draw a disputed desicion around the time

[turpinr]

you really think valdez would be that competitive? not saying i think your opinion was wrong, but ive done alot of studying on this topic and looked at the positives of both fighters styles on film....and i dont see nino seeing round 10 vs the rock. also rocky never ducked valdez in case u may think so. patterson vs valdez would be alot more intersting and competitive.

no,i don't think rocky ducked valdez,but after beating charles for the second time,cockell and valdez were next up.
al vile clearly didn't want valdez so it didn't happen

[turpinr]

some great suggestions in this thread....If I may I would love to include Archie Moore vs Jersey Joe Walcott.. These men fought EVERYONE of the era except eachother!:good:good

you've got a point there.what a fight that would have been.between them they must have known every trick there is

[good right hand]

great pics,

id like to add-

quartey vs trinidad
mosley vs trinidad
toney vs hopkins
cuevas vs palomino
tapia vs johnson
norton vs frazier
mcguigan vs fenech
mcguigan vs nelson
(kevin) kelly vs (junior)jones

[mcvey]

some great suggestions in this thread....If I may I would love to include Archie Moore vs Jersey Joe Walcott.. These men fought EVERYONE of the era except eachother!

I never really thought of that!
I suppose their careers did overlap ,but Moore was rather lighter when Joe was in his prime, interesting idea!

[flamengo]

Dempsey - Wills

Dempsey - Greb

Greb - Langford

Johnson - Langford 2

McCallum - Leonard

Bowe - Lewis

Holmes - Foreman

Tunney - Sharkey

Sullivan - Jackson

Tunney - Norfalk


Johnson - Langford II sounds perfect. I believe the National Sporting Club in London had loaned Johnson the money to further his quest for the H/W title, on proviso he returned to England and faced Langford as challenger.

Johnson failed to do it.
Does this ring true??

[dpw417]

Garcia was considered a pretty damn big puncher. By all accounts, he was very impressive against Apostoli, and many people considered him the unofficial best fighter in the division at the time he defended against Armstrong.

It's possible Hostak might've been too big and powerful for him, but if he could survive the early rounds, it's possible he might've been too strong for Hostak over the late going.


This was from a NY Times report on the Garcia-Apostoli fight:

"The only complaint with his[Garcia's] station is its controversial condition. He has not undisputed possession of the crown once worn by Stanley Ketchel. Al Hostak of Seattle is recognized as champion by the National Boxing Association and it will take a battle between the two to decide the question beyond dispute - if Hostak can be dragged into a ring with the fighting demon who toppled Apostoli.
But those who saw Garcia score this victory are satisfied he is the champion. For Garcia embodies everything that goes to make a titleholder, notwithstanding his long years of ring service and his 29 years of age.
He is strong. He can box. He can punch. He can absorb punishment. He can adjust himself to ring situations as they develop, is resourceful, alert, cool under fire, a perfect fury when the tide swings his way."
Thanks for the reply/report.
It gives insight to what kind of fighter Garcia was considered to be. I've only seen a brief clip of Hostak/Zale years ago. Hostak looked very aggressive against the man (in his prime) who ruined people that came into him generally.
This fight would have been a war. I won't hazzard a guess (yet). I will say that Armstrong's winning (by all counts, except the cards) stand against Garcia underlines his greatness. Armstrong was something!!! Amazing fighter.

[JohnThomas1]

Leonard-Cuevas was ready to go.....but Ray walked.

Tell me more.

[natonic]

Tell me more.

I know you're not asking me JT but here's my two cents.
This is detailed in the book Four Kings. I've read it but unfortunately my memory is lacking. I'll look it up tonight. I know there's a "faction" that believes Ray ducked Cuevas. I hardly think choosing to fight Duran instead is taking the easy way out. Ray and Mike Trainer generally (if not exclusively) went where there was more money to be made. Based on what Tommy Hearns and Duran did to Cuevas I don't think Ray would've had much trouble. I think it's pretty clear that Cuevas, although a very good champion, was the lesser of those 4 welterweights. I personally think Ray would have shown Cuevas' power due respect but would've picked him apart and gotten him out of there in the middle rounds.

[heehoo]

Charley Burley vs. Sugar Ray Robinson
Sugar Ray Leonartd vs. Aaron Pryor
Salvador Sanchez vs. Alexis Arguello
Tony Ayala, Jr. vs Roberto Duran
Larry Holmes vs. Greg Page

Here's some more:

Gene Tunney vs, Kid Norfolk
John L. Sullivan vs. Peter Jackson
Jack Dempsey vs. Harry Wills
Sam Langford vs. Jack Dempsey
Sam Langford vs. Jess Willard
Barbados Joe Walcott vs. Jim Corbett (he knocked Corbett down in sparring)

[My2Sense]

Was the draw a disputed desicion around the time

Yes. Then as now, it was regarded as a blatant robbery, on par with Whitaker-Chavez or Lewis-Holyfield.

I remember one writer who commented that if you didn't actually see the referee raise both hands (which signifies a draw) then you just assumed Armstrong was the new champ.

[JohnThomas1]

I know you're not asking me JT but here's my two cents.
This is detailed in the book Four Kings. I've read it but unfortunately my memory is lacking. I'll look it up tonight. I know there's a "faction" that believes Ray ducked Cuevas. I hardly think choosing to fight Duran instead is taking the easy way out. Ray and Mike Trainer generally (if not exclusively) went where there was more money to be made. Based on what Tommy Hearns and Duran did to Cuevas I don't think Ray would've had much trouble. I think it's pretty clear that Cuevas, although a very good champion, was the lesser of those 4 welterweights. I personally think Ray would have shown Cuevas' power due respect but would've picked him apart and gotten him out of there in the middle rounds.

Hey cheers Natonic. I particularly like you choice of the word "faction".

:good

[kolcade4]

nick wells vs holmes III

[he grant]

SQ: Great call on Walcott/Moore ...

[GPater11093]

Yes. Then as now, it was regarded as a blatant robbery, on par with Whitaker-Chavez or Lewis-Holyfield.

I remember one writer who commented that if you didn't actually see the referee raise both hands (which signifies a draw) then you just assumed Armstrong was the new champ.


cheers for the describition

from what i saw about 25 min highlights Armstrong was getting the best of him but obviously Highlights can be made to make 1 fighter better or worse

also Garcia came up from Welterweight too didnt he

[Nick Balsamo]

There's so many to list but these are the fights I would've like to see the most:

Sugar Ray Leonard vs Aaron Pryor
Mike McCallum vs Thomas Hearns
James Toney vs Bernard Hopkins
Larry Holmes vs George Foreman
Lennox Lewis vs Riddick Bowe

[headhunter]

Dean Francis vs Calzaghe


:rofl

[Mantequilla]

What's funny about that?.

Francis was a damn good fighter when he ruined his shoulder.A fight ebtween him at that time and the young calzaghe would have been a great fight between two up and coming prospects ala Watson vs Benn.

[My2Sense]

also Garcia came up from Welterweight too didnt he

Yeah, he was the top-rated welter contender for about 4 or 5 years straight, and in that time was blasting out almost every welter contender put in front of him. He just couldn't win the big one, against Ross and Armstrong - though some people speculate that it was the body beating he dealt to Ross that ruined him before Armstrong got to him.

After that he decided to try his luck at 160, and he twice beat an up-and-coming Lloyd Marshall, which earned him a shot at Apostoli. Apostoli was red hot then and no one thought a "blown up welter" could take him - but Garcia proved them wrong.

[GPater11093]

Yeah, he was the top-rated welter contender for about 4 or 5 years straight, and in that time was blasting out almost every welter contender put in front of him. He just couldn't win the big one, against Ross and Armstrong - though some people speculate that it was the body beating he dealt to Ross that ruined him before Armstrong got to him.

After that he decided to try his luck at 160, and he twice beat an up-and-coming Lloyd Marshall, which earned him a shot at Apostoli. Apostoli was red hot then and no one thought a "blown up welter" could take him - but Garcia proved them wrong.

so garcia was a decent fighter aswell

[Jear]

quartey vs trinidad



This is one i wanted to see just as Ike got injured. I actually thought at the time ( 98 ) Ike would have beaten Tito

[good right hand]

This is one i wanted to see just as Ike got injured. I actually thought at the time ( 98 ) Ike would have beaten Tito

i think it would have been a very even fight too, tito was a beast and ike was a beast. their fights with vargas and dlh really show how style make fights and i couldent make a very accurate prediction.

but i thought that ike was physically stronger and had that great jab, i think ike could have won at points at his best at welter.... however i cant help but think about how ike got wobbled by jose luis lopez.

[la-califa]

Jeff Chandler-Wilfredo Gomez
Julio C. Chavez-Alexis Arguello @ 135.
Had Sanchez lived...
Salvador Sanchez - Hector Camacho @130.
Wilfredo Gomez- Lupe Pintor II

[Mendoza]

I'll chuck out a couple.
Wills v Dempsey
Lewis v Bowe
Sanchez v Pedroza.
McGuigan v Nelson
Burley v Robinson.
What are your picks?


What Are the 5 best Woulda Shoulda fights that Coulda but weren't ?


Jack Johnson as champion vs. Langford, Jeanette, Smith, McVey, and perhaps a re-match with the shafted Jim battling Johnson.

[McGrain]

Jack Johnson as champion vs. Langford, Jeanette, Smith, McVey, and perhaps a re-match with the shafted Jim battling Johnson.


:lol:

How about Jeffries-Johnson in 06?

[Popkins]

I'll chuck out a couple.
Wills v Dempsey
Lewis v Bowe
Sanchez v Pedroza.
McGuigan v Nelson
Burley v Robinson.
What are your picks?

Monzon v Foster
Chavez v Nelson
Marquez v Morales
Leonard v Pryor
and for current relevance: Mosley v Mayweather

[Mendoza]

:lol:

How about Jeffries-Johnson in 06?

In '06? Nah, It would have been Jeffries vs. Hart in 06, because Hart defeated Johnson in 1905 in a lackluster affair.

[Mr Butt]

robinson vs burley
jimmy mclarnin vs kid berg
tyson vs holyfield (when first scheduled)
sanchez vs nelson 2
sanchez vs arguello

[AlFrancis]

Would of liked to see either Benn or Eubank against Toney

[KTFO]

Any Marciano fight that wouldn't involve old men as choice of opponent.

[McGrain]

In '06? Nah, It would have been Jeffries vs. Hart in 06, because Hart defeated Johnson in 1905 in a lackluster affair.


Perhaps Jeffries could have dusted Hart and then matched Johnson anyway?

[McGrain]

I would have liked -

Burley-Robinson
Burley-LaMotta
Burley-Cerdan
Dempsey-Wills
Dempsey-Greb

[scartissue]

Bonavena vs. Norton
Galindez vs. Conteh
Spinks vs. Saad Muhammad
Valdez vs. Hagler
Kalule vs. Hope
Duran vs. Cervantes
Duran vs. Arguello
Duran vs. Gonzalez
Olivares vs. Marcel
McKinney vs. Pattersonl
Jofre vs. Pimental

Scartissue

[Popkins]

Would of liked to see either Benn or Eubank against Toney

Benn v Toney would have gone along similar lines as Toney v Barkley. Toney was far too good defensively and on the inside for the Dark Destroyer. Different calibre of fighter IMO.

[JohnThomas1]

I'm not even going to go back and see what myself and others have posted, i'll just go again


Holmes - Page (An inspired Page vs an aging Holmes)
Spinks - Mustafa II (Was hours from happening, but Mustafa frigged it up)
Qawi - Mustafa
Spinks - Saad (Saad had one fight too many)
Hearns - Mugabi/Ayala
SRL - Hearns II 154/Curry/Pryor/Benitez II (with no eye injury)
Starling / McCrory
Curry - Pryor
Arguello - Rosario
Arguello - Camacho
Sanchez - Pedroza
Pedroza - Gomez
Gomez - Chandler
Chandler - Pintor

[dabox]

great matches and in the modern times....

mayweather vs casamayor or freitas

roy jones vs dariusz M

[Mantequilla]

Jibaro Perez v Canizales is another one.

[Mendoza]

If you want a modern times, Mayweather vs. Mosely.

[PetethePrince]

A lot of Dempsey fights, and to add to that...

Foreman vs Tyson
Foreman vs Holmes
Robinson vs Burley
Marciano vs Patterson (Had Rocky not retired)

[The Kurgan]

If you want a modern times, Mayweather vs. Mosely.

It might still happen, but it would have been better before Floyd's "retirement".

[AlFrancis]

Benn v Toney would have gone along similar lines as Toney v Barkley. Toney was far too good defensively and on the inside for the Dark Destroyer. Different calibre of fighter IMO.

You know what, I think you could be right but I still would of liked to see it, particularly Eubank. Eubank fought some stinkers but I think he needed a big fight to bring out his best, Toney would of done that.

[Duodenum]

Since I've read through the thread and seen many of my preferred matchups already mentioned, I thought I'd get a little eclectic after my first choice (a well established old favorite of mine).


Jerry Quarry-George Foreman

It's one thing for George today to say he purposely avoided Jerry, but neither did he demonstrate any great enthusiasm for such a meeting in the late 1960s and early 1970s when asked about it in post fight interviews. Quarry absolutely should have gotten the title shot which went to Roman in Tokyo. Even if Foreman repelled this challenge, it might have better prepared him for Ali than the blowouts of Frazier, Roman and Norton did. George wasn't the kind of fighter who opened up cuts, and he would have held no surprises or edge in intimidation for a challenger who had previously decked him in sparring. (Foreman-Bonavena is another one I would have liked to see.)


Alfredo Escalera-Sammy Serrano
Alexis Arguello-Sammy Serrano

Overshadowed by Arguello and Escalera, filthy cutie Serrano won 15 WBA SFW championship bouts. Any title unification match during the late 1970s would have been a major coup for whoever the winner was, and it's astounding to me that this only happened at 160 and 135. Styles make fights, and Serrano may not have been the easy conquest most take it for granted he would have been. If anybody could have made Arguello really mad in the ring, it would have been Sammy.


Pryor-Mancini

After the Hawk's rematch win over Arguello, Boom-Boom was the only potential matchup readily available which might have rekindled his fire. Both wanted it, yet it somehow never got done.



Eddie Mustafa Muhammad-James Scott II.

While Eddie was more than willing to defend his WBA Title in a rematch at Rahway, Scott foolishly replied, "Well, God bless his heart, but who I really want is Saad Muhammad, the hypocrite!" At that point in time, the WBA still ranked Scott as a top contender, whereas the WBC never recognized him as an inmate. Shortly thereafter, the WBA also removed Scott from their ratings.

If Scott had accepted a shot at Eddie, we would have seen a highly motivated talent eager for a chance at redemption going into a lion's den against a widely avoided former conquerer. Had Scott somehow managed to dethrone Eddie, then maybe he could have gotten Matt into a unification bout. (Matt and Eddie became very close as co-champions, and had no interest in rematching each other to consolidate their titles.)


JT already mentioned these next two, and I'm seconding his opinion here.

Mike Spinks-Eddie Mustafa Muhammad II, for the title.

The time for this to come off was right after Eddie squashed Mwale. As would have been the case in a rematch with Scott, Eddie would have been extremely motivated to avenge his loss to Mike.


Eddie Mustafa Muhammad-Dwight Muhammad Qawi

Assuming Eddie's in shape and properly motivated, it would have been extremely interesting to see how he dealt with Ike's peculiar and innovative style.


Danny Lopez-Wilfredo Gomez

Before Sanchez came out of nowhere to shock the world, a super fight showdown between Little Red and Gomez was very highly anticipated. Sal was sensational in dispatching Gomez, but it must also be said that Wilfredo may have taken him too lightly, and might not have been in peak condition. For Danny, he definitely would have been. Gomez could not have won by taking the sort of abuse Pintor subjected him to, and prime Lopez only needed one punch against anybody not named Sanchez.


Roberto Duran-Edwin Viruet III in the summer of 1978 for the undisputed lightweight championship (shortly after Duran decisioned Adolfo Viruet).


Duran hated the Viruets so much that he definitely would have gotten himself under the lightweight limit one more time to get another crack at Ed. This match was actually sold to the public when they were all waiting in the ring for the announcement of the scoring after Roberto and Adolfo had at it, when Stonehands walked up to Ed and punched him in the mouth.

Ed had just retired seasoned and elusive contender Josue Marquez via a tenth round knockout, so he certainly hadn't lost his edge. (Only De Jesus had ever stopped Marquez, and he needed over 46 rounds covering three fights to do it.) Of course Duran would have beaten him again, but knocking Ed out would have been a matter of pride.

Most of Duran's critics in the late 1970s were citing his difficulties with the Viruet brothers as evidence that he was being overrated, and the general public knew Ed for his big mouth and heat with Roberto. Ed wouldn't need Don King's help in promoting this. NOBODY could insult Duran like Ed. He teased the pit bull and got away with it. I'd pay money to see them in the ring today. (Yeah, I know that car crash ended Duran's career, but I suspect he'd love the chance to bash in Ed's face again. Ed has the sort of face that begs to be punched.

[Bummy Davis]

Larry Holmes vs Pinklon Thomas
Holmes vs Norton rematch
Holmes vs Weaver II
Holmes vs Coetzee
Holmes vs Page
Holmes vs Big John Tate
Holmes vs Mike Dokes
Holmes vs Spoon/Williams II

Lewis vs Bowe/ PRO
Tyson vs Holyfield 1991
Mayweather/Mosely
Jones/ Darius Mikaleski
Calzage/Jones / pre-Tarver
Cooney/Weaver
Duran/Pryor

[sugarsean]

Floyd Mayweather Jr Vs Kostya Tszyu (2005)
Sugar Ray Leonard Vs Arron Pryor
Roberto Duran Vs Alexis Arguello
Mike Tyson Vs Lennox Lewis (1996)
Thomas Hearns Vs Mike McCallum

[asero]

duran-pryor

someone is bound be get destroyed

[Russell]

duran-pryor

someone is bound be get destroyed

Yeah, and it wouldn't have been Duran.

[sweetsci]

I'll second Foreman-Bonavena, which I think was what Norton-Quarry replaced.

Ali-Bobick in May '77, instead of Ali-Evangelista & Norton Bobick.

I also think Ali-Patterson II in '67 was discussed.

Weaver-Cooney, late '81.

Ellis-Cooper, as scheduled in '69.

Cooney-Bugner, which I seem to remember being announced around '81.

---

Just looked at the thread title. These certainly aren't the BEST woulda-shoulda-couldas, but they are interesting to this fan of heavyweight history.

[booradley]

Little Red/Arguello at 126: they were WBC and WBA world titlsists together for about 1 month before AA vacated.

Duran/Arguello: you all know the story.

Leonard/Pryor; SRL would have stomped Pryor, and I would not have to periodically refute the preposterous internet myth that surrounds this.

[djanders]

Klitschko - Klitschko! :p

[essexboy]

Yeah, and it wouldn't have been Duran.

:rofl :deal

[My2Sense]

Weaver-Cooney, late '81.



I always thought that would've been an interesting one.

Cooney stood a good shot at blowing him out early, but if he didn't, Weaver might've come on too strong for him. I think Cooney's team may have sensed that danger as well, which is why they ultimately chose not to risk his ranking and wait for the Holmes megafight. Still, I think a fight with Weaver was exactly what Cooney needed to grow as a fighter - some experience against a live contender/titleholder (as opposed to corpses), before he moved to the next level.

[natonic]

You guys talking about Cooney - Weaver reminded me of a great card in 1981 that didn't come off because of some kind of scandal (I forget the details). Anyway, the card was supposed to have: Cooney - Norton, Saad Muhammed - Mustafa Muhammed, Arguello - Kenty, Hearns - Benitez, Wilfredo Gomez - Mike Ayala. Would've been an amazing card and definitely Saad and Mustafa was "woulda shoulda".

[My2Sense]

You guys talking about Cooney - Weaver reminded me of a great card in 1981 that didn't come off because of some kind of scandal (I forget the details). Anyway, the card was supposed to have: Cooney - Norton, Saad Muhammed - Mustafa Muhammed, Arguello - Kenty, Hearns - Benitez, Wilfredo Gomez - Mike Ayala. Would've been an amazing card and definitely Saad and Mustafa was "woulda shoulda".

If I remember right, the promoter actually disappeared.

Don't remember what came of that.

[laxpdx]

Robinson-Tiger
Cuevas-Napoles
Whitaker-Camacho
Hearns-Jackson
Hagler-Ayala

[Jaws]

Tyson/Holyfield '91
Bowe/Lewis
Leonard/Hearns II at a more relevant time

[scartissue]

Robinson-Tiger
Cuevas-Napoles
Whitaker-Camacho
Hearns-Jackson
Hagler-Ayala

laxpdx, I don't think Napoles-Cuevas was on anyone's radar. I recall Cuevas cming out of absolute nowhere to win the title from Espada. No one knew who he was other than losing to Andy Price. And Napoles was retired already for a year at the time. I do like your last two picks, however. But, I'm not sure about Whitaker-Camacho. It could be 15 rounds of some very fast feinting and that's all.

Scartissue

[jowcol]

Haven't read all the posts but Galindez/Conte Fall of 75 certainly is up there with any of the matchups...

[mcvey]

I'll answer this question the same a hundred times. These fights should have absolutely happened and it wasn't the fighters fault so much as the WBA-WBC (and maybe King - Arum nonsense):

Sanchez - Pedroza
Chandler - Pintor
Saad Muhammed - Mustafa Muhammed II

To finish at the number 5, I think it would've been great to see:
Leonard - Pryor
Duran - Cervantes around 75 or 76

Chandler v Pintor would have been very intruiging .:good

[jaffay]

Frazier - Norton

Jones Jr - Michalczewski

Bowe - Lewis

Dempsey - Greb

Robinson - Burley

[Chinxkid]

Tyson/Bowe

[Duodenum]

If I remember right, the promoter actually disappeared.

Don't remember what came of that.Are you referring to Harold "Ross Fields" Smith?

[My2Sense]

Are you referring to Harold "Ross Fields" Smith?

No idea. Can't remember his name.

What was the story behind Ross Fields?

[Titan1]

Page-Dokes
Sanchez-Pedroza
Chandler-Gomez
Kenty-Davis Jr.
McCrory-Starling
Moore-Mugabi
Hamsho-Duran
Johnson-Qawi.