The world champions of boxing’s premier division have always enjoyed great fame and recognition among fans. From those of the early 20th century to the present day, all have been acclaimed, glorified, sometimes criticized, but never forgotten. Today, however, we want to talk about the talented heavyweights who never made it: some found themselves up against champions too strong to overcome, others lost their way to success at the crucial moment due to negligence or bad luck, and still others lived in darker times, when racial discrimination could prevent even a climb to a world title. Today we want to shine a spotlight on them as well, and in this feature we’ll talk about 10 crownless giants who never fulfilled the dream of becoming world champion.
Sam Langford
The ultimate “uncrowned king” and an extraordinary talent of the early 1900s, the Canadian accomplished incredible feats even from a physical standpoint: he started his career as a lightweight, then gradually moved up all the way to heavyweight, winning and impressing in every division in between. Not even Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight champion in history, agreed to give him a title shot—arguing that a fight between two Black boxers wouldn’t draw enough public interest.
Harry Wills
If there’s a blemish on the career of the great Jack Dempsey, it’s that he never granted a title opportunity to the “Black Panther.” Wills was a powerful fighter, with a Herculean physique and great reach, but in those days he carried what was considered a flaw: he was Black. Dempsey’s manager, Jack Kearns, turned down every offer, and promoter Tex Rickard preferred to move Dempsey’s fights to another state rather than accept any commission’s attempt to impose Wills as the challenger.
Elmer Ray
This big man from Florida had frightening physical strength—so much so that, as a youngster, he became popular for wrestling wild animals, including alligators. His “political clout,” however, wasn’t strong enough to make him break through, and despite a streak of 50 consecutive victories, most by knockout, and even winning a world title eliminator, he never got the longed-for opportunity. Among the top fighters he defeated before his decline were Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott.
Zora Folley
Reaching the top in the era of Sonny Liston was hardly a stroke of luck for any heavyweight. Folley had class to spare, earning respect and admiration from everyone in the business, but he could not withstand the onslaught of a war machine like the “Big Bear,” who knocked him out. At 34 years old and past his physical prime, he still had the skill to hand out a boxing lesson to fighters such as Bob Foster and Oscar Bonavena.
Jerry Quarry
Small for the division, not particularly muscular, with a good-natured look: Quarry didn’t resemble a warrior, and perhaps for that reason he was often underestimated. Yet, at his peak, he managed to defeat two ferocious punchers like Ron Lyle and Earnie Shavers, outpointing the former and annihilating the latter in just one round. He squandered his big chance to win the WBA title by losing to Jimmy Ellis, and then Frazier and Ali stood in his way to glory.
Jimmy Young
If you were looking for fireworks and furious exchanges, his fights were not for you: Young constantly relied on spoiling tactics, clinching, and defensive survival. Even so, dealing with him was a nightmare for anyone: Ali beat him without convincing, Foreman was actually defeated, and Norton barely edged him by Split Decision. That controversial verdict, never digested, pushed Young toward a premature decline.
Ron Lyle
With his menacing stare, dynamite fists, and prison past, Lyle seemed designed to terrify opponents. Despite starting boxing very late, he still managed to achieve notable success in the ring. His brutal wars with Shavers and Foreman remain unforgettable, while his world title shot against Ali was disappointing: he tired himself out, grew frustrated, and was eventually caught off guard by a controversial technical knockout.
Earnie Shavers
Considered by many the hardest-punching heavyweight ever to step into a ring, Shavers could have knocked down an elephant with his devastating hooks. Unfortunately, his tremendous power was not matched by stamina, technique, or a reliable chin, and those shortcomings prevented him from reaching the very top and capturing a title. Only God knows how Larry Holmes managed to get up after the knockdown Earnie inflicted on him and turn the fight around.
Ike Ibeabuchi
With his sculpted physique, crushing power, and iron chin, the Nigerian slugger was a serious world title contender. He had already tamed David Tua in a throwback war and demolished Chris Byrd when his psychological issues began to surface. Instead of helping him, his entourage tried to cover it up, and as a result, Ibeabuchi committed serious crimes that ended his career.
David Tua
Tua wasn’t the fastest on his feet, which allowed some opponents to keep him at bay with cautious, mobile, defensive strategies. Still, the compact powerhouse from Oceania deserved a major world title more than many fighters who became champions “by accident.” His 19-second KO of John Ruiz remains unforgettable.
Honorable mentions go to Sam McVea, Joe Jeannette, Tony Galento, Cleveland Williams, Henry Cooper, Oscar Bonavena, Joe Bugner, Gerry Cooney, and Donovan Ruddock.