Fighters who could have had a better career if they boxed smarter or let their hands go more often

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Nov 18, 2025 at 10:57 AM.


  1. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak banned Full Member

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    Do people realize how hard it is "to let your hands go" against a decent opponent? I can't imagine what it's like against a world class opponent.

    Easy to say. Hard to make your body actually go through with it.
     
  2. Flash24

    Flash24 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    But that what's separates ATG's and what could've been.
    There can be consequences for "letting ones hands go"
    But the great ones did it, expecting some retaliation,
    in order to "Let there hands go again".
    It's not as hard as you're making it seems
    since literally hundreds of different boxers
    have done it successfully over thousands of
    different boxing matches for well over a hundred
    years.
    It's a mentality, and trusting in one's own
    abilities.
    Some fighters have great physicality, and technicality,
    but lack that certain mentality to be great.
    That's what this topic is basically about.
    Fighters that had everything but the mentality for
    greatness.
     
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  3. Bigcheese

    Bigcheese Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Oliver McCall could have been more aggressive with his chin/power combo.

    Same for Shannon Briggs although his dreadful cardio was probably an issue.
     
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  4. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Thought that myself, in some of his early matches he did actually box. Strange, how he digressed in skill during his career..Makes me wonder about his corner and management
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2025 at 5:12 PM
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  5. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

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    Great mention on Penalosa, Tin. One of the few operators who was arguably too relaxed and comfortable in the ring. Just never got flustered. Although it did work out for him a lot of the time too - his body shot KO over Gonzalez is one of the best set ups I've ever seen on film.
     
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  6. davidjay

    davidjay Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He wasn't so much afraid to punch as terrified of getting hit.
     
  7. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak banned Full Member

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    They are often one and the same.