Try, try again … and again: Most unsuccessful attempts at a world title

Strive as they could, some very high-quality fighters aren’t fairly capable of recover from the hump and win a world title.

They’re glorious professionals who are sometimes capable of run one of the best of their respective weight courses very shut however can’t fairly beat them. A powerful displaying typically results in one other alternative, and so forth.

One solely must suppose again to Oba Carr within the Nineties. The Detroit native was a superb beginner and was tabbed for future success as knowledgeable.

Nevertheless, Carr ran right into a murderers’ row of robust opposition. He misplaced in three world title makes an attempt, towards Felix Trinidad (TKO 8), Ike Quartey (MD 12) and Oscar De La Hoya (TKO 11), by which period he was worn right down to the nub and was by no means capable of obtain what many predicted for him.

There are a handful of males who’ve had extra alternatives than Carr.

On Saturday, Robson Conceicao will make his fourth try at a world title when he faces WBC  junior light-weight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster. 

In earlier efforts, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist has come up brief. He controversially misplaced to WBC 130-pound titlist Oscar Valdez (UD 12) in 2021. The Brazilian then dropped a call to WBC WBO junior light-weight titleholder Shakur Stevenson (UD 12) the next yr. Nevertheless, Stevenson missed weight. In his third tilt for a world title, Conceicao held WBO beltholder Emanuel Navarrete to a spirited draw.

Conceicao shouldn’t be the one one. There are in actual fact a number of others who, strive as they could, couldn’t fairly win world titles, regardless of what number of photographs they received. Right here, we have a look at fighters who’ve been given a number of title alternatives.

Carlos Buitragostrawweight and junior flyweight, 0-5-1As soon as upon a time, Buitrago was being championed by his Nicaraguan countrymen as the following Chocolatito. Up to now, he’s been unable to achieve that lofty standing. He has toiled in and across the prime 10 within the lightest two weight courses, and when given world title alternatives, he has often given a very good account of himself. Nevertheless, he got here up brief towards WBO titlist Merlito Sabillo (D 12) in November 2013 and towards WBA ruler Knockout CP Freshmart in October 2014 (UD 12) and February 2016 (UD  12), in addition to IBF boss Hiroto Kyoguchi (TKO 8) in strawweight title fights. [Editor’s Note: The two fights with Freshmart were interim title fights.] Buitrago stepped to junior flyweight and was stopped by WBO beltholder Angel Acosta (TKO 12) in June 2018 and went the space towards WBO titlist Elwin Soto (UD 12) in October 2020.

Rocky Juarezfeatherweight and junior light-weight, 0-5-1Juarez represented the U.S. on the 2000 Olympics and claimed silver. A lot was anticipated of him as knowledgeable. Juarez was attributable to face In Jin Chi for the WBC title, however two weeks earlier than the combat he was injured, and Juarez as a substitute confronted wily campaigner Humberto Soto for the interim WBC 126-pound strap, dropping an in depth however unanimous resolution in August 2005. He misplaced a controversial resolution to WBO 130-pound titleholder Marco Antonio Barrera (SD 12) in Might 2006. The 2 met in a rematch in September 2006 and Barrera edged issues to win a unanimous resolution. After Barrera misplaced to Juan Manuel Marquez, Juarez was chosen to face Marquez and was broadly outpointed (UD 12) in November 2007. The snake-bitten Texan dropped again to featherweight for a two-fight sequence with WBA titlist Chris John (D 12/ UD 12) in February and September 2009.

Mitsunori Sekiflyweight and featherweight, 0-5The superb Japanese fighter misplaced to Pone Kingpetch (SD 15) at flyweight in June 1961. He jumped to featherweight and was stopped by Sugar Ramos (TKO 6) in March 1964. He gave Vicente Saldivar a tricky first combat (UD 15) in 1966 however was well-beaten within the return the next yr (TKO 7). When the Mexican retired, Seki was matched with one other perennial contender, Howard Winstone, to fill the emptiness and was stopped on cuts (TKO 9) in January 1968. Seki retired at simply 26 and by no means fought once more.

Leonel Hernandezjunior light-weight, 0-4-1The often sturdy Venezuelan was stopped by WBC 130-pound titleholder Alexis Arguello (TKO 8) in March 1975. Simply six months later, he held WBA ruler Alfredo Escalera to a draw over 15 rounds. Escalera’s fellow Puerto Rican Samuel Serrano had picked up the WBA title and twice outboxed Hernandez to win unanimous selections in June 1977 and June 1981. In between the Serrano fights, Hernandez went to Japan and narrowly misplaced to WBA titlist Yasutsune Uehara (SD 15) in November 1980.

Michael Spinks (left) proved to be an excessive amount of for Yaqui Lopez in 1980. (Photograph from The Ring archive)

Yaqui Lopezlight heavyweight and cruiserweight, 0-5The rugged Mexican ran WBC 175-pound titlist John Conteh (UD 15) shut in Denmark in October 1976. Lopez gave Victor Galindez all kinds of hassle in two WBA title fights, narrowly shedding 15-round unanimous selections on every event, in September 1977 and Might 1978. Matthew Saad Muhammad was capable of outlast Lopez (TKO 14) in a terrific action-packed contest in July 1980. The combat, a rematch, garnered The Ring’s Battle of The Yr award. Lopez stepped as much as cruiserweight and was effectively previous his prime when he was simply overwhelmed by WBC holder Carlos De Leon (TKO 4) in September 1983.

Santos Cardonawelterweight and junior middleweight, 0-5Cardona was broadly outpointed by WBC 147-pound titlist Pernell Whitaker (UD 12) in April 1994. Nevertheless, he was capable of rapidly safe a WBO 154-pound title alternative towards Verno Phillips. The closeness of their first assembly (UD 12) in November 1994, led to a rematch (SD 12) in February 1995. The aggressive nature of these fights earned him a shot on the vacant WBO crown, however he was stopped by Bronko McKart (TKO 9) in March 1996. The Puerto Rican dropped again to 147-pounds and gave a very good account of himself although he in the end misplaced to WBO beltholder Akhmad Kotiev (UD 12) in November 1998.

Martin Murraymiddleweight and tremendous middleweight, 0-4-1Murray had received British and Commonwealth middleweight titles when he was surprisingly supplied a shot at WBA titleholder Felix Sturm in Germany in December 2011. Many individuals thought Murray deserved the win, however he needed to accept a draw. He was capable of parlay that right into a combat with WBC champion Sergio Martinez in Argentina. Though Murray loved his successes, he was unable to unseat the defending champion (UD 12). The Brit additionally challenged WBA titlist Gennadiy Golovkin (TKO 11) in February 2005 and WBO 168-pound titleholder Arthur Abraham (SD 12) in November 2015. In his ultimate try, he misplaced a lopsided resolution to Billy Joe Saunders (UD 12) in what proved to be his ultimate combat in December 2020.

Joao Henrique​​junior welterweight, 0-4Henrique confirmed appreciable promise, with the one blemish on his report a draw towards former 140-pound champion Eddie Perkins. Nevertheless, he was unable to get defensive wizard Nicolino Locche (UD 15) in a WBA title combat, WBC counterpart Bruno Arcari (UD 15/KO 12) and WBC titlist Perico Fernandez (KO 9) in his four-world title makes an attempt within the late Sixties-70s. Henrique by no means misplaced in Brazil; all 4 of his title losses got here abroad.

Armando Munizwelterweight, 0-4Muniz was an excellent beginner who represented the U.S. on the 1968 Olympics. As knowledgeable, Muniz’s highway to the title was a troublesome one. He suffered some learning-curve losses alongside the way in which, however by 1975 he had discovered his stride and challenged unified champion Jose Napoles, giving the legendary Cuban all he may deal with in two glorious tussles (TD 12/UD 15) in 1975. He put up one other actually good effort towards WBC beltholder Carlos Palomino (TKO 15) in January 1977. Palomino additionally defeated him in a rematch (UD 15) in Might 1978. Learn this story and study which of his foes Muniz believes had one of the best total abilities.

Martin Vargasjunior flyweight and flyweight, 0-4Vargas was capable of give WBC flyweight king Miguel Canto (UD 15/UD 15) two hard-fought challenges in 1977. He was stopped by WBA 112-pound titlist Betulio Gonzalez (TKO 12) in November 1978. In a single ultimate effort, the Chile-born fighter dropped right down to junior flyweight, the place he was stopped by WBA incumbent Yoko Gushiken (KO 8) in June 1980.

Ruben Castillofeatherweight and junior light-weight, 0-4The Texan gave WBC 130-pound titleholder Alexis Arguello all he may deal with earlier than the Nicaraguan nice rallied to cease him in 11 rounds in January 1980. Castillo dropped to featherweight and put up one other robust displaying, shedding a hard-fought encounter with WBC titleholder Salvador Sanchez (UD 15) in April 1980. As Castillo confirmed indicators of wear and tear and tear, he was outpointed by WBC featherweight titlist Juan Laporte (UD 12) in February 1983, and was then stopped by rising WBC titlist Julio Cesar Chavez (TKO 6) in April 1985.

Mario Martinez cracks the good Azumah Nelson within the their 1989 rematch. The proud Mexican misplaced each bouts. (Photograph from The Ring archive)

Mario Martinezjunior light-weight and light-weight, 0-4As a young person, Martinez challenged Julio Cesar Chavez for the vacant WBC 130-pound title and was stopped in eight rounds in September 1984. Later within the decade, he twice gave Azumah Nelson (SD 12/TKO 12) troublesome title defenses. In his ultimate try at a world title, “Azabache” stepped as much as light-weight and was broadly outpointed by WBO titlist Dingaan Thobela (UD 12) in March 1991.

Juan Carlos Gimenez tremendous middleweight, 0-4Gimenez realized his commerce on the notoriously robust South American circuit. He claimed the continent’s gentle heavyweight title within the early Nineteen Eighties and stayed energetic largely near dwelling. A giant alternative got here towards Roberto Duran (UD 10) in September 1987, however Gimenez was outpointed. He received his subsequent 11 fights and was lastly rewarded with a shot at Mauro Galvano’s WBC 168-pound title in Italy in February 1992. Regardless of a very good effort, Gimenez misplaced a 12-round unanimous resolution. He additionally misplaced towards WBO 168-pound titlist Chris Eubank (UD 12) and WBC counterpart Nigel Benn (UD 12) within the early to mid-Nineties in England. The seasoned Paraguayan made one ultimate try at a world title however was stopped for the primary time in his profession by WBO ruler Joe Calzaghe (RTD 9) in April 1998.

Arthur Johnsonflyweight, junior bantamweight and bantamweight, 0-4Johnson was a adorned beginner who represented the U.S. on the 1988 Olympics. He retired from boxing however re-considered, turning skilled in Might 1992. After simply 20 months as a professional, in his ninth combat, he took on IBF 112-pound titleholder Pichit Sithbangprachet in Thailand. Regardless of a superb efficiency, he dropped a 12-round unanimous resolution. The next summer season, Johnson dropped a majority resolution towards WBO 115-pound titleholder Johnny Tapia (MD 12). Johnson dropped again to flyweight and earned a 3rd title shot, this time towards IBF titlist Mark Johnson, who stopped the weight-drained St. Louis resident in a single spherical in February 1998. Johnson moved as much as bantamweight, the place he was broadly outpointed by Tim Austin (UD 12) in August 2000.

​Joel Luna Zaratejunior bantamweight, 0-3-1After 23 straight wins, Zarate challenged fellow Mexican Julio Cesar Borboa for the IBF title and dropped a spirited unanimous resolution in Might 1993. He labored his method towards a shot at WBC kingpin Gerry Penalosa in April 1998. Nevertheless, their combat ended early attributable to a head conflict that rendered the competition a technical draw within the second spherical. The next yr, Zarate traveled to Seoul, South Korea, to face Penalosa’s conqueror, In Joo Cho, and misplaced a 12-round majority resolution. Lastly, Zarate ventured to Nicaragua and made one ultimate try, shedding to Adonis Rivas (UD 12) in September 2000.

Thomas Tatemiddleweight, tremendous middleweight, 0-4Tate made his method by means of the ranks earlier than going through big-punching WBC 160-pound beltholder Julian Jackson in August 1992. Tate was on the canvas within the fourth spherical however lasted the space; he misplaced a 12-round unanimous resolution. Tate was stopped by otherworldly IBF kingpin Roy Jones Jr. (TKO 2) in Might 1994. The Houston-based fighter moved as much as tremendous middleweight and was unable to defeat IBF titlist Sven Ottke in September 1999 (TD 11) and in June 2002 (UD 12). See what Ottke considered Tate’s recreation right here.

John Brownjunior light-weight and light-weight, 0-4This robust American labored his method up and was stopped by a first-rate Shane Mosley (TKO 8) in an IBF light-weight title tilt in April 1999. He dropped to 130 kilos and gave IBF beltholder Diego Corrales (UD 12) a strong night time’s work in December 1999. Brown met compatriot Steve Forbes for the vacant IBF 130-pound title in December 2000. He was forward on two of the scorecards after seven rounds however was lower inside his ear and the combat was stopped. Within the rematch in September 2001, Forbes (UD 12) stored his title.

Lennox Lewis crushes Andrew Golota within the opening spherical. (Photograph from The Ring archive)

Andrew Golotaheavyweight, 0-3-1Golota was twice disqualified for low blows towards Riddick Bowe. Nevertheless, his inventory went up in shedding efforts and he met WBC titleholder Lennox Lewis in October 1997. The Pole froze and was stopped in a single spherical. It took Golota seven years to get one other shot, however he was capable of put forth a sterling effort towards IBF titlist Chris Byrd (D 12) in April 2004. He dropped WBA titlist John Ruiz twice however was unable to get the win and misplaced an in depth however unanimous resolution in November 2004. Golota was stopped by WBO beltholder Lamon Brewster (TKO 1) in his ultimate title try in Might 2005.

Jose Navarrojunior bantamweight, 0-4Navarro was a 2000 U.S Olympian. He turned skilled the next yr and received 21 fights to earn a shot at WBC 115-pound titlist Katsushige Kawashima in Japan in January 2005. Navarro appeared to do sufficient to win, however two of the three judges scored in favor of the house fighter. A yr later, Navarro returned to Japan to face Kawashima’s conqueror, Masamori Tokuyama, who outboxed him and received a unanimous resolution. Unperturbed, Navarro fought his method again into rivalry and ventured to Russia to face Dmitri Kirilov for the vacant IBF title in October 2007. A 3rd-round knockdown proved pivotal, and Navarro misplaced a unanimous resolution. In a single ultimate try, he misplaced a break up resolution to WBC titleholder Cristian Mijares in Las Vegas in February 2008.

Hiroyuki Kudaka flyweight and junior bantamweight, 0-4Kudaka began his profession with two losses and dropped a call in a shot on the nationwide title. Nevertheless, he upset former world title challenger Hussein Hussein (UD 10) and was rewarded with a combat towards WBA 112-pound beltholder Takefumi Sakata (UD 12). His earnest displaying received him a combat with Sakata’s conqueror, Denkaosan Kaovichit, in Thailand (SD 12). He returned to Asia and upset beforehand unbeaten Panomroonglek Kaiyanghadaogym and parlayed that right into a WBA 115-pound combat with Hugo Cazares, who beat him by 12-round unanimous resolution. The robust Japanese fighter once more induced an upset, this time over former Ring/WBC champion Sonny Boy Jaro, and in his ultimate world title tilt he was stopped by Omar Narvaez (TKO 10) in Argentina.

David Carmonajunior bantamweight, 0-3-1The Mexican was stopped by wily WBO titlist Omar Narvaez (TKO 7) in December 2013. Narvaez conqueror Naoya Inoue was sidelined by means of harm and Carmona was matched with Warlito Parrenas (D 12) for the Interim WBO title in July 2015. When Inoue returned in Might 2016, he stored his title with a unanimous resolution. Carmona was later stopped by WBA titleholder Kal Yafai (RTD 7) in Might 2018.

Israel Gonzalezjunior bantamweight, 0-4Gonzalez received 21 of his first 22 fights, all in his native Mexico, earlier than coming to America and getting dropped and stopped by IBF 115-pound titlist Jerwin Ancajas (TKO 10) in 2018. After returning with two wins, he unsuccessfully challenged WBA ruler Kal Yafai (UD 12). Gonzalez scored a superb highway win over Sho Ishida (SD 12) to safe a combat with Roman Gonzalez, who outboxed him to a 12-round unanimous resolution. Lastly, he took on rising star Jesse Rodriguez for the WBC title in 2022 and went the space (UD 12).

Bob Yalen helped compile this text. The Ring appreciates his contribution.

Questions and/or feedback could be despatched to Anson at [email protected].

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