The Ultimate Hot And Cold Fighters?

[Russell]

Who's performances went the farthest both ways, for good and bad?

Was was capable of the worst and the very best?

Roberto Duran's a great example of this, if not one of the best. But massive weight gain, drugs, and general disinterest will do that to you.

And on a very related note, Kirland Laing.

[Stonehands89]

Who's performances went the farthest both ways, for good and bad?

Was was capable of the worst and the very best?

Roberto Duran's a great example of this, if not one of the best. But massive weight gain, drugs, and general disinterest will do that to you.

And on a very related note, Kirland Laing.
Duran's inconsistency started after his 70th fight. He was at one point 68-1, let's not forget that. I think it a bit unfair to emphasize his inconsistency without at least qualifying it. Few modern fighters go beyond 50 fights total and even fewer had a career that spanned 5 decades.

[Russell]

Duran's inconsistency started after his 70th fight. He was at one point 68-1, let's not forget that. I think it a bit unfair to emphasize his inconsistency without at least qualifying it. Few modern fighters go beyond 50 fights total and even fewer had a career that spanned 5 decades.

Yes, but look at Duran's longevity. The big picture, and the success he enjoyed even in his late 30's and into his 40's.

It's very obvious he wouldn't of suffered like he did even after his 70th fight if his weight and drugs didn't take a certain edge away from him at times.

[Stonehands89]

Yes, but look at Duran's longevity. The big picture, and the success he enjoyed even in his late 30's and into his 40's.

It's very obvious he wouldn't of suffered like he did even after his 70th fight if his weight and drugs didn't take a certain edge away from him at times.
How many fighters do you know who competed at the world class level into their 40s? I can think of three right away -Robinson, Moore, and Duran.

Duran's edge was dependent on his passion. He was a passion fighter. Watch him when he was a youth -he could barely contain that energy. But see, energy burns out with age. Only sporadically could he get inspired enough to give great performances after a quarter of a century in combat.... You can count his inspired performances after Barkley on one hand. Camacho I. That's about it. The other wins were because Duran could fight without training, half-asleep, and based on memory alone.

[Russell]

Yes, but wouldn't the passion be there if he hadn't just cut 50 pounds in a short period of time to face Leonard a second time?

If he wasn't cruising through the star studded 80's on coke and booze?

Kirland Lainge never would have happened if neither existed.

[Stonehands89]

Yes, but wouldn't the passion be there if he hadn't just cut 50 pounds in a short period of time to face Leonard a second time?

If he wasn't cruising through the star studded 80's on coke and booze?

Kirland Lainge never would have happened if neither existed.
Duran was a partier but he wasn't a drug addict. There are no private scandals about the man.

But if he was Hopkins-like in his health fanaticism and cold devotion to boxing, he'd have been either greater than he was, or a different fighter altogether and therefore something less. Duran was a passion fighter -take away his personality and you take away his passion.

[Russell]

I've heard it said a dozen times over he was into coke as a lot of fighters were during the 80's.

[Stonehands89]

I've heard it said a dozen times over he was into coke as a lot of fighters were during the 80's.
Who knows -you may be right. I have not heard or read that... his problem was boozing and gluttony. Not really drugs as far as I know.

[laxpdx]

Yes, post-Montreal Duran is a good example of this.

[JohnThomas1]

On a lesser scale all the 80's heavies Dokes, Page, Witherspoon, Berbick etc. Even Holmes got lazy and unispired in supposedly easier defenses.

[Russell]

On a lesser scale all the 80's heavies Dokes, Page, Witherspoon, Berbick etc. Even Holmes got lazy and unispired in supposedly easier defenses.

Strangly, Holmes also often brought out the very best in those sometimes cold 80's heavyweights.

[Samurai]

Zab Judah

Nate Campbell

[JohnThomas1]

Strangly, Holmes also often brought out the very best in those sometimes cold 80's heavyweights.

VERY true. His arrogance and treatment of them sure fired a lot of them. He brought quite a lot of intensity and hostility out of some and when push came to shove Holmes dug deep with the greatest of them. Holmes incredible determination and will to win got him home in many a match he could have fallen in. His rally vs Witherspoon being a pristine example.

[Russell]

VERY true. His arrogance and treatment of them sure fired a lot of them. He brought quite a lot of intensity and hostility out of some and when push came to shove Holmes dug deep with the greatest of them. Holmes incredible determination and will to win got him home in many a match he could have fallen in. His rally vs Witherspoon being a pristine example.

Extremely well said, John Thomas.

No one seemed to like Holme's back then then, not even the fighters.

But then again, he was a long standing champion and dominated the division fr a long time. So on top of being an asshole everyone wanted his scalp and title. :lol:

People fault him for his performances vs. Carl William's, Renaldo Snipes, Tim Witherspoon... And they at the same moment ignore that those fighters if for only one night usually brought their very best against Holmes.

[Samurai]

Tony Tubbs

[Russell]

Tim Witherspoon.

Probably deserved the decision against Mercer even at the advanced age he fought him at.

[JohnThomas1]

Extremely well said, John Thomas.

No one seemed to like Holme's back then then, not even the fighters.

But then again, he was a long standing champion and dominated the division fr a long time. So on top of being an asshole everyone wanted his scalp and title. :lol:

People fault him for his performances vs. Carl William's, Renaldo Snipes, Tim Witherspoon... And they at the same moment ignore that those fighters if for only one night usually brought their very best against Holmes.

Hahaha, some very true points. Bey and Crusher also gave him heaps but again that intense determination ground them down even when the skills were eroding. Weaver too earlier.

[Russell]

Weaver somehow managed to cut Lennox up at the age of 40, so I won't hold it against Holmes too much. :D

Man was a miracle worker with some of the things he accomplished. Weaver that is.

[salsanchezfan]

Weaver somehow managed to cut Lennox up at the age of 40, so I won't hold it against Holmes too much. :D

Man was a miracle worker with some of the things he accomplished. Weaver that is.


...........And he confessed to really disliking boxing. He played piano quite well too, from what I've read.

I have no idea what any of that has to do with the issue at hand, but if you want some uselsss knowledge, I'm always there for ya.

[Russell]

:yep...........And he confessed to really disliking boxing. He played piano quite well too, from what I've read.

I have no idea what any of that has to do with the issue at hand, but if you want some uselsss knowledge, I'm always there for ya.

:lol:

How about Sanachez himself?

He had a habit of running quite cold against sub-par opposition at times.

[OLD FOGEY]

Bob Satterfield deserves a mention on this thread. He was the ultimate erratic fighter, beating a top man one fight, losing to a journeyman the next.

[Russell]

I'm suprised no one's mentioned Terrible Terry.

Man was the very definition of the word erratic.

[albinored]

..going back a few decades...kid gavilan...blew hot and cold. he fought so many times he didn't go all out in many of his matches. he was never truly rotten even losing...but he'd beat some very good fighters and be lazy against some not so good.

johnny bratton.....same era. ...was the ultimate hot and cold fighter. was brilliant in one fight....awful in the next. some of those losses have to do with fights not on the level...but when he was good he was superb.

[Loewe]

Joe Calzaghe.

[TIGEREDGE]

Lennox Lewis is one. Manny Steward used to alway go on about it

He could be sensational on one night then look very ordinary the next time

[TIGEREDGE]

Marco Antonio Barrera blew hot and cold during many periods in his career

[MrMagic]

Tim Witherspoon :think

[BritInvasion]

Lennox Lewis is one. Manny Steward used to alway go on about it

He could be sensational on one night then look very ordinary the next time
I'm not sure Lennox is entirely a great example. Lewis is a guy who could fight a cautious or destructive, he was no less effective at either. The Golota and Tua performances are equally brilliant, though very very different. Both I would consider 'hot' for different reasons.

[BritInvasion]

Tigeredge: I like the MAB nomination. I wouodn't have thought of that, but its very true.

Some Brits:

Junior Witter

Chris Eubank

Howard Eastman

[Bigcat]

Shannon Briggs.......... He can show flashes of absolute greatness, then lok like a block of wood... it frustrates me..

[Quickhands21]

I've heard it said a dozen times over he was into coke as a lot of fighters were during the 80's.
Duran was Into drugs heavy.your right.Its well known,he admiddet it on a dvd i have

[warrior85]

zab judah
danny williams

[janitor]

Bob Satterfield deserves a mention on this thread. He was the ultimate erratic fighter, beating a top man one fight, losing to a journeyman the next.

Isnt Satterfields inconsistency simply a function of his competition and schedule?

[Bigcat]

Danny Williams and Terry Norris are probably two of the best examples that i have overlooked..

Perfect examples in fact....

[Minotauro]

James Toney

[TIGEREDGE]

James Toney

great example

ruben olivares in his later years was another on/off performer. he was frightenly consistent in his younger days though

junior jones is another one

[Bill1234]

Like mentioned earlier, a lot of the 80's fighters. Jersey Joe Walcott seemed to fight up and down to competion. He looked great in the first Louis fight, he had great fights with Charles, and was very impressive in the first Marciano fight.

[OLD FOGEY]

Isnt Satterfields inconsistency simply a function of his competition and schedule?

Don't actually follow the logic. Why lose to the second raters? Consistently fighting top men will lead to defeats, though, unless one is a super fighter in the Sugar Ray Robinson mode.

[anut]

mike weaver
corrie sanders
ron lyle
jerry quarry
eddie machen
razor ruddock
ray mercer

and many7 more..............

[Mendoza]

Who's performances went the farthest both ways, for good and bad?

Was was capable of the worst and the very best?

Roberto Duran's a great example of this, if not one of the best. But massive weight gain, drugs, and general disinterest will do that to you.

And on a very related note, Kirland Laing.

Jerry Quarry.

[RafaelGonzal]

Mike Tyson

[Holmes' Jab]

A few more: Jack Sharkey, Evander Holyfield (at HW), Emile Griffith (relatively speaking given his talents).

[mcvey]

Yes, but look at Duran's longevity. The big picture, and the success he enjoyed even in his late 30's and into his 40's.

It's very obvious he wouldn't of suffered like he did even after his 70th fight if his weight and drugs didn't take a certain edge away from him at times.
I was unaware Duran took drugs ,what is your source? Duran was undisciplined as he got older ,loved his food and would gorge himself ,he was a known cock swordsman too,I think a lot of his losses can be blamed on the fact he was not in top shape and fighting above his best weight.Ray Arcel said he could have stayed at Lighweight ,but his eating habits pushed him to Welter.

[mcvey]

Don't actually follow the logic. Why lose to the second raters? Consistently fighting top men will lead to defeats, though, unless one is a super fighter in the Sugar Ray Robinson mode.
Satterfield was party animal ,many of his losses could be laid at the doors of Ladies bedrooms.

[mcvey]

A few more: Jack Sharkey, Evander Holyfield (at HW), Emile Griffith (relatively speaking given his talents).
Jack Sharkey is a good shout ,as is James Toney.I don't see how Holyfield ,who was rated in the top 10 for over 10 years can be classed as inconsistant though.

[Vantage_West]

I'm suprised no one's mentioned Terrible Terry.

Man was the very definition of the word erratic.i was gonna say he wasnt that erratic he just got over excited, ill discplined and overtrained....:patsch
DERGH!!!!!!

yeah his main problem was overtraining i feel, he could be and arrogant know it all but he knew enough that if he didnt put in th ework he will lose badly. have you heard of his sparring wars with cruiserwieght brother orlin? 20 odd rounds a week was normal. he beat up reggie johnson pretty bad as well the scene said.

[Titan1]

Greg Page
Tim Witherspoon.

[TommyV]

Jack Sharkey.

[rusty nails]

terry norris, chris eubanks

[DamonD]

Evander Holyfield (at HW)
Good shout, though much like Holmes his determination got him through a lot of his 'cold' fights.

[AlFrancis]

James Buster Douglas.

[TIGEREDGE]

James Buster Douglas.

great one. surprised it hasn't already been mentioned

Buster though only had one great night

[RafaelGonzal]

#1 has to be Buster Douglas from omni like heat on one night to a knocked out on your ass 300 lbs diabetic all in the span of a year and a half. No one in the History of boxing has been that hot and cold.

[Lobotomy]

Strangly, Holmes also often brought out the very best in those sometimes cold 80's heavyweights.Strangely? Not at all Russ. Remember that he was Champion, and a dominant one at that. To me, it's more remarkable that this defending titleholder could pitch 15 round shutouts over Berbick and Cobb. (Remember that Dokes and Norton needed split decision wins to beat Tex.) A first time challenger who's not prepared to give the performance of a career does not deserve to be competing for the title.

[Lobotomy]

...........And he confessed to really disliking boxing. He played piano quite well too, from what I've read.

I have no idea what any of that has to do with the issue at hand, but if you want some uselsss knowledge, I'm always there for ya.In fact, Weaver could play the theme to Chariots of Fire well enough so that you couldn't tell it wasn't the recording. He's perfectly capable of playing professionally.

[janitor]

Don't actually follow the logic. Why lose to the second raters? Consistently fighting top men will lead to defeats, though, unless one is a super fighter in the Sugar Ray Robinson mode.

If you fight a punishing schedule with short recuperation time between fights you are likley to loose to lesser fighters than you otherwise would.