ATGs in a particular weight class who were never linear champs there

[Thread Stealer]

Or "recognized" champs.

I'm only talking about traditional weight classes, or ones with a good amount of history (like 130). Obviously things may be different in a class like CW or SMW.

Alexis Arguello: ranked by many #1 all-time at 130, almost always in the top 3. Never the linear champ at 130. Samuel Serrano was.

Ezzard Charles: Consensus choice as #1 LHW all-time. Denied a shot at the title because the risk/reward ratio was too high.

[Doc BNB]

For those wondering why not include SMW, it truly is meaningless to do so at this point in history.

Many fighters who developed a major name through 168 due to the Chong Pal-Park situation. So that includes RJJ, Calzaghe, Ottke, Toney...they all may or may not be considered part of the 168 lineage if you go by the first title (IBF) or by Park since he got the first title (IBF-then vacated to fight for the WBA, then lost it). However, if you go by that, the "lineage" still falls through the cracks when Ottke retired...in which case the best we have is the Ring magazine consideration then it's Calzaghe now.

Then, considering that the WBC and WBO didn't have a direct connection to the linear championship for this division, guys like Benn, Collins, and Eubank are also out of the loop.

What a short and wacky history :bbb

[kg0208]

Jones at 168.