Which fighter can lay claim to the biggest underachiever?

In boxing history, which fighter do you reckon under achieved the most considering his talent/potential?

 

Edwin Valero I think could have been a great. Pitty he couldn't show off his talents in USA due to medical issues

 

If we don't count those that died like Sanchez, Ketchel or Everett or those that went to prison like Ayala or Ibeabuchi or those that did both like Valero then Bowe will get a few votes, I'd think. So will Witherspoon.

Benitez is rated highly but never dominated a division and is a tier below true ATG.

But for me, the man who had speed, power, chin and stamina to burn and still never really established himself as a great is Hector Camacho. He had a good career but it coulda/shoulda been so much more.

 

Max Baer, even in the 1930's, was regarded as an underachiever. 6-ft 4 inches, 220 lbs, a thunderous puncher, but never really learned the real techniques of boxing (say like Joe Louis did)

 

Joe Bugner!!! Next thread (smilie)

 

Mark Breland had so much hyp behind him that didnt match how his career actually unfolded

 

Money is big reason a lot don't reach there full potential,while a lot will disagree I think naseem hamed could of been even better.No shame in losing to a legend like Barrera even if he was perhaps past his best.Riddick Bowe after he won the title perhaps also due to money he made defending against lower ranked guys who didn't have a chance. (don't like calling fighters bums but perhaps few these were)Then he just started getting more out of shape and wasted that talent that should of made him 1 of the top heavy of all time.

 

Howard Davis Jr. 76 Montreal Olympic Gold Medalist and winner
of Val Barker Trophy for most outstanding boxer.

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That is an awesome mention.

 

Young Griffo perhaps.

 

A good number of the 80 s heavyweight s. Greg page , dokes, witherspoon, Thomas. They had great talent and potential but couldn't hang on to it and remain consistent. Yes they all grabbed a portion of the heavyweight title but slipped through their fingers. Drugs, money issues and lack of resolve led to most of em losing the title and never again reaching the top.

 

Dustin Nichols

 

Bernard Taylor.

 

Boy I agree with that, but for a guy who was around a while I'd say Wilfred Benitez, after he beat Duran there was talk about him fighting Hagler at middleweight. He had the skills to stay in there if his head had been sound. Shouldn't have lost to Hearns either , when he was motivated he was something

 

Good call, he was a tad crude