Howard davis jr

[Jamie26]

late 70s early 80s lightweight . How good was he ? Read somewhere that at the time he was p4p no 1 .

[essexboy]

Very talented gold medallist at the '76 Olympic Games but it seems he didnt really have the heart to make the most of that talent. Im not sure about him being p4p no.1 though.

[My2Sense]

Great amateur, but probably the definitive example of a pro bust.

He was very fast all-around (which is what made him a great amateur), but he wasn't strong or sturdy, and he couldn't punch. Those limitations became exposed after he turned pro. After only about 10 or 15 fights, he was already given a title shot against the supposedly "beatable" champion Jim Watt, but Watt scored an upset by outgutting him to a decision.

Can't see how or by who he was ever rated #1.

[Jamie26]

Cheerz

[mr. magoo]

The only time I ever saw him in action was about 20+ years ago. He was fighting a journeyman by the name of Othal " choo choo " Dixon. Ray Mancini was at ringside for the match. I honestly can't remember much about that fight, but I do recall Davis running the boards and deserving a wide deicision. I also believe, that he mentioned something about retiring immediately after the Dixin fight, but hindsite tells us that it obviously didn't happen.

[istmeno]

a naturally gifted boxer. technically sound very good movement and great hand speed. (up there with camacho and taylor) his main problem was with all of his talent he had a heart the size of a mustard seed. he did not like to get hit. and it showed in his fights. it definitely kept him fro reaching his potential.

[ThinBlack]

Arguably the fastest fighter in the sport at one time, seemed faster than SRL.He had great boxing ability, but couldn't punch, and his heart truly wasn't into the sport after his fifth pro fight(which he admitted in an interview).A last second knockdown cost him the belt against Edwin Rosario in 1984, but had no business losing to Jim Watt, and he was indeed outgutted.Also had a somewhat controversial call against Vilomar Fernandez.

[Stevie G]

Superb amateur. Moderately good professional. Another one who never reached his full potential.

[Titan1]

late 70s early 80s lightweight . How good was he ? Read somewhere that at the time he was p4p no 1 .

He was never p4p no 1, but very few had his natural ability.Unfortunately, bad management, and lack of a good chin hurt his chances for greatness.

[red cobra]

Besides Mark Breland, one of the great "woulda-beens" of boxing history.

[Titan1]

Truthfully, under the right circumstances, should have won the title anyway.