Of all the Could-Have-Beens...

[aj415]

Who had the most potential in your eyes? ...that for one reason or another never came to fruition or was never realized?




Examples would be Tony Ayala or Ike Ibeabuchi.


Not looking for fighters that were great, but perhaps could have been greater. (Mike Tyson, Roy Jones etc etc.)

[UpWithEvil]

Gerry Cooney is a sad case. Big, powerful fighter with a long, stiff jab and murderous left hook, thrown to the Big Bad Wolf a little too early and never recovered his focus.

[aj415]

Gerry Cooney is a sad case. Big, powerful fighter with a long, stiff jab and murderous left hook, thrown to the Big Bad Wolf a little too early and never recovered his focus.

Didn't he struggle with panic attacks as well?

[EireFightFan]

Billy Collins Jnr.

[UpWithEvil]

Didn't he struggle with panic attacks as well?

If by "panic attacks" you mean "withdrawl symptoms"....

[GPater11093]

Billy Collins Jnr.


he wasnt going to be an ATG really

he was a good fighter but not 'great' but he had great heart and was an exciting fighter would definitly be a world champ if itt want for resto

[Russell]

Breland. Probably damaged goods by the time he turned pro. Such a long and extensive amateur career, and injuries were nagging him from day one.

[PH|LLA]

meldrick taylor

[EireFightFan]

Teofilio Stevenson - damn those pesky Cubans and their principles.

Max Baer is another - 'He had a million dollar body and a ten-cent brain'. The two fighters who died after fighting him must have also affected him.

[My2Sense]

Lionel Rose
John Conteh

Always the two that come first to my mind when this topic comes up.

[janitor]

My thoughts:

Les Darcy and Stanley Ketchel established themselves as great fighters before they died (prematurley) but their best work might still have been ahead of them.

Young Griffo probably takes the prize here. He could have been the best figfhter of his genaration if he had not become an uncontrolable alchoholic. The guy was embarasing guys like George Dixon who were the best technicians of the era.

Luther McCarthy was as much of a might have been as Ike. He was just about the best of the white hopes when he died and was only 21.

Earnie Schaff was definitely going places in the heavyweight division when he died. Couyld perhaps have been champion.

[Dave's Top Ten]

I always think of Don Curry in this situation. He looked unstoppable, and just technically perfect against Colin Jones and Milt McCrory, and looked destined for greatness.

It all fell apart quite quickly with Honeyghan and McCallum...

[smiff]

Michael Watson was improving all the time until he was hurt, and only 26. Mclellan would have gone on to be a legend i reckon.

[Jear]

Of recent times
Ike Ibeabuchi
Shannon Briggs
Andrew Golota

Also
Michael Dokes
Greg Page

The guy i thought was going to be the best of them all though was Michael Nunn

[TommyV]

The obvious answer is Mike Tyson.

Yes he had a great career.

But if he didn't go looking for the big punch, if he didn't have those problems that affected him mentally, if he didn't lose his head movement, bobbing and weaving style and combinations, I don't see anybody that would of beaten him.

[Sweet Pea]

Curry and Conteh were two of the biggest wastes of talent along with Tyson of course.

[TommyV]

Looking at John Conteh's career as a Brit is disappointing. He could of been so much more if he was more dedicated, and obviously if he didn't have the trouble he had with his right hand.

[Mantequilla]

Eddie Gregory as well.

Dean Francis reminded me of Conteh a bit, such a shame he ruined his shoulder while starting to establish himself as a world class supermiddle.I'd have favoured him over the younger Calzaghe at the time.

[COULDHAVEBEEN]

...Young Griffo probably takes the prize here. He could have been the best figfhter of his genaration if he had not become an uncontrolable alchoholic. The guy was embarasing guys like George Dixon who were the best technicians of the era....

Griffo just has to be the greatest waste of sporting talent of all time!!

Dragged out of hotels half drunk and minutes later schooling seasoned fighters who'd trained properly for the bout. Often improved as the fights went on and as he sobered up.

His life story would make for a great movie. But people not aware of his story wouldn't believe the film was based on truth!

[SuzieQ49]

Teofilo Stevenson with that RIGHT HAND...he would have been Larry Holmes kryptonite.



Stevenson KO 7 Holmes

[jowcol]

Eddie Gregory as well.


I thought of him as soon as I saw the thread title...

[la-califa]

Tyrell Biggs-Had all the tools to be successful.
Alex Ramos-Primed to be a superstar coming up
Bobby Czyz- Never recovered from that Hamsho mugging.
Frank Fletcher-Too many wars on the way up.
John Collins-looked unstoppable in beating LaPaglia in battle of undefeated Middle's.

[la-califa]

Big John Tate- Moved and boxed very well for a large Heavyweight. Could have went down as one of the more talented Heavyweight Champions.

[lefthook31]

I had very high hopes for Ike Ibeabuchi. He looked great against Tua and Byrd, and at the time I felt he was ready for the big time. I think he was nutty enough to be a really dominant exciting champion. I believe it takes a certain kind of crazy person to hold the title and win in exciting fashion as heavyweight champion and Ike fit the bill. Unfortunately Don King got to him, and put him in that hotel with the call girl.

[jaywheel]

Gerald McClellan
Davey Hilton jr.

[SOMERSETDURAN]

Meldrick Taylor for me. Had the potential to be an ATG, but ruined in a fight he dominated.

[jowcol]

Big John Tate- Moved and boxed very well for a large Heavyweight. Could have went down as one of the more talented Heavyweight Champions.

except for the fact that he had nothing under the left tit, got blown out by Stevenson, and folded whenever anyone put some heavy wood on him as a pro...
With all due respect lc, he's nothing more than an afterthought...

[jowcol]

I thought of him as soon as I saw the thread title...
I'm responding to my own post. Actually I think that Eddie, if he had had his head screwed on straight, could have been a top-10 ALL-TIME pfp. Granted a stretch, but didn't he have all the tools? His only weakness was himself...
My $0.02

[FromWithin]

Corrie Sanders

[Seamus]

Jose Luis Lopez

[mcvey]

Teofilo Stevenson with that RIGHT HAND...he would have been Larry Holmes kryptonite.



Stevenson KO 7 Holmes

He lacked Holmes balls.
He looks great to you because he wrecked all your boys.:lol:

[ThinBlack]

Greg Page, Tony Tucker, Howard Davis Jr, Johnny Verderosa, Jamie Garza, Paul Gonzales, Bobby Joe Young, Mitch Green, and Bernard Mays.

[TBooze]

Michael Watson was improving all the time until he was hurt, and only 26. Mclellan would have gone on to be a legend i reckon.

If Watson had been retired at the end of the 11th and then continued his career, he would been labeled a choker and the poor British cousin of Meldrick Taylor, that would of taken a lot of rebuilding.

McClellan a legend? He would of just lost to a man, many of us thought he was going to blow out inside three minutes. I think a lot of scrutiny would of focused on the theory he cannot beat anyone who survives 4/5 rounds with him, that too would of taken a lot of getting over. Then there was his hobbies, they could of in due course had a negative influence on his career...

And with the likes of Ike, Mike and Tony; you take away their demons, it is quite possible you remove the bit of magic that made them so popular and more importantly, took them to the levels they had in their boxing careers.

[ripcity]

Lamar Parks
James Shuler

[MagnaNasakki]

Breland. Probably damaged goods by the time he turned pro. Such a long and extensive amateur career, and injuries were nagging him from day one.

Pretty much exactly what I was about to say. Breland turned pro damaged.

[Russell]

Pretty much exactly what I was about to say. Breland turned pro damaged.

Kosta style. Hundreds of amateur fights and the sparring that comes in-between said amateur contests... takes its toll on you.

[mcvey]

My thoughts:

Les Darcy and Stanley Ketchel established themselves as great fighters before they died (prematurley) but their best work might still have been ahead of them.

Young Griffo probably takes the prize here. He could have been the best figfhter of his genaration if he had not become an uncontrolable alchoholic. The guy was embarasing guys like George Dixon who were the best technicians of the era.

Luther McCarthy was as much of a might have been as Ike. He was just about the best of the white hopes when he died and was only 21.

Earnie Schaff was definitely going places in the heavyweight division when he died. Couyld perhaps have been champion.
Good Picks , but Ketchel was on the slide when he was shot, booze , broads, and the opium pipe , had sapped his vitality , plus he had contracted syphilis.

[mcvey]

Salvador Sanchez & Jeff Chandler burned brightly.

[frankenfrank]

I had very high hopes for Ike Ibeabuchi. He looked great against Tua and Byrd, and at the time I felt he was ready for the big time. I think he was nutty enough to be a really dominant exciting champion. I believe it takes a certain kind of crazy person to hold the title and win in exciting fashion as heavyweight champion and Ike fit the bill. Unfortunately Don King got to him, and put him in that hotel with the call girl.

dis iz 1 stori

Oliver McCall qualifies 4 dis tred , he is n unrecognized greit , who could have been greater if not 4d crack & Don King who sold him 4 short change 4d Lewis rematch when he wasn't near fighting condition .
I've seen some other worthy mentions by others so i won't repeat them .
Others r Ross Puritty , Lee Q Murray and possibly Edwin Valero .

[Stevie G]

Who had the most potential in your eyes? ...that for one reason or another never came to fruition or was never realized?




Examples would be Tony Ayala or Ike Ibeabuchi.


Not looking for fighters that were great, but perhaps could have been greater. (Mike Tyson, Roy Jones etc etc.)

Greg Page
Michael Dokes
Tim Witherspoon
Tony Tubbs
Herol Graham

All had the ability to excel,but sadly did n't use it.

[I am Legion]

Bernard 'superbad' Mays, was destined to one of the ATG, just ask Manny Steward but died young of alcoholism.:-((:-((:-((

[I am Legion]

Lamar Parks
James Shuler

Good call, Shuler was a real tragic case.:smoke

[TBooze]

Good call, Shuler was a real tragic case.:smoke

I do not know. It would of taken a lot of coming back from Tommy's right hand. Shuler was hardly a youngster, and was classic spit or get off the fire, pre Hearns. I appreciate it was tragic what happened to him, and Hearns in particular was classy, after James' death. But 26 years on, I think hindsight shows Shuler was solid but no great.

[AREA 53]

Zack Padillia showed promise

as did Harold Black Shadow Knight - He gave Rocky Lockridge a great fight and definately looked one to watch

Harry Simon was also on the cusp of some intersting fights

[JohnThomas1]

Salvador Sanchez & Jeff Chandler burned brightly.

Far from could have beens tho.

Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

[TBooze]

Zack Padillia showed promise


A damn fine fighter, it was a real shame he had to call it a day. To, think in the time it takes to read this post, Zack would of thrown a hundred punches in his pomp!

[Threetime no1]

He ain't been mentioned but If Ruddock had a jab and learned and used the basics rather than just looking for the smash, then i think he qualifies here. He seemed to waste a lot of his physical gifts imo.

[TBooze]

He ain't been mentioned but If Ruddock had a jab and learned and used the basics rather than just looking for the smash, then i think he qualifies here. He seemed to waste a lot of his physical gifts imo.

He was more boxer than puncher, then had the Smith and Dokes fights and became Smash happy.

[Threetime no1]

He was more boxer than puncher, then had the Smith and Dokes fights and became Smash happy.


Agreed mate, but it's the same outcome in that he became lazy with his style and coulda been better and won a belt.

[scartissue]

Ronnie Shields
Jeff Stoudamire
Howard Stewart
Tommy Ayers
Eric Curry

[guncho]

Big John Tate- Moved and boxed very well for a large Heavyweight. Could have went down as one of the more talented Heavyweight Champions.

That one punch finished him! Had he survived 15th round and won 2 more who knows how confident Tate would have been!

Holmes v Tate two undefeated champs!


Tate reminded me Bowe a litle was tall and built like tank!

[red cobra]

Big John Tate- Moved and boxed very well for a large Heavyweight. Could have went down as one of the more talented Heavyweight Champions.
But that chin of his...that chin..

[red cobra]

Kelly Pavlik..after the loss to Hopkins he should have gone back to the drawing board...not to the bottle.

[PetethePrince]

Ruddock is actually a good shout in this category. Certainly gets overlooked.

[JudgeDredd]

Riddick Bowe, I really thought he'd be a dominant long reigning champ.

[thistle1]

Jock McAvoy & Bert Gilroy, Britains GREATEST middleweights.

Both denied title fights at the weight, denying them of the Middleweight Championship of the World!!!

McAvoy circa 1936, Gilroy circa 1941.

[Saintpat]

Davey Moore -- never recovered from the devastating beating Duran put on him in his 13th pro fight

[Foreman Hook]

The obvious answer is Mike Tyson.

Yes he had a great career.

But if he didn't go looking for the big punch, if he didn't have those problems that affected him mentally, if he didn't lose his head movement, bobbing and weaving style and combinations, I don't see anybody that would of beaten him.

TommyV used to be a Tyson-Fangirl! :rofl:rofl

You forgot to mention his ability to fly at teh speed of sound, and shoot lasers from his eyes m8! :D

[johnmaff36]

Dunno if this counts but id have liked to have seen a properly trained and managed mid/late 20s yr old jersey joe walcott.

From the UK, kirkland laing had a lot of talent that sadly,for 1 reason or another, he never fulfilled

[JohnThomas1]

I do not know. It would of taken a lot of coming back from Tommy's right hand. Shuler was hardly a youngster, and was classic spit or get off the fire, pre Hearns. I appreciate it was tragic what happened to him, and Hearns in particular was classy, after James' death. But 26 years on, I think hindsight shows Shuler was solid but no great.

Spot on in all ways.

[SJS19]

If this was the General forum, you can bet your nuts that the phrase 'Sweat Pea, with power' would of came up 50 times by now...

[JudgeDredd]

Pacquiao v Mayweather

A rivalry that could've been compared with any in history, especially with a three fight series, assuming they won one a piece I suppose.

They should both be ashamed.

[Foreman Hook]

Pacquiao v Mayweather

A rivalry that could've been compared with any in history, especially with a three fight series, assuming they won one a piece I suppose.

They should both be ashamed.

:mj3 fight series dont usually happen when 1 guy totally schools the other.:mj

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[JudgeDredd]

As the saying goes......don't tell me, show me.

[SJS19]

I'd argue that Salvador Sanchez could be considered here.