It's the reason I call the group the (05) Kings. Some like the to use the fact of him not facing Hagler as some reason of not including him with the group. But that also mean Hagler didn't face him either. Some seem to infer he avoided Hagler, but it could be seen completely opposite. Especially when considering Hagler had serious issues with fighters that fought like him.
I know a few have said it, but RJJ was a special guy. Can't believe he ended up losing so many fights.
If everyone in boxing had a heart like Eubank Snr the sport would have so-so many fatalities. Different breed.
Sanchez. The poise and ring generalship he exhibited, at an absurdly young age. He definitely blew me away. He would have ended up top 10 ATG for sure, if he'd continued along the path he was on. Just my opinion.
Naseem Hamed could have been. In the end, though, he fell short and the once in a generation tag went to RJJ. But there was a time when he looked so good, he was unreal.
When I first saw Roberto Duran at lightweight it was like watching a force of nature, a hurricane or tornado. I knew I was seeing something that doesn't come along in a couple of generations if ever.
I'm throwing out an honorable mention to Corrie Sanders. I didn't see the Klits in the early parts of their careers but just kept hearing about them. So the first Wlad fight I ever watched happens to be against Sanders. That was as they say the 'pineapple of his career' - on that night coming out of nowhere to upset the apple cart with those swift thudding lefts and forever ending the early entertaining style of Wlad-that-was. Sanders blew my mind that night. RIP
I remember thinking at the time Klitchsko should beat Sanders. Looking back i can see logic in Team Klitschko picking an aging Sanders, but Sanders was a power punching fast starting Southpaw who previously wrecked some rather durable guys in 1 or 2 rounds. Sanders had a pretty weird career as well up until that point as well. Seemed like a bunch of start and stops along the way. Also another reason for guys to turn pro earlier rather than later, when you turn pro at 28,29 you really are hoping you have no contract disputes, injuries, or setbacks. The margin of error is so small unlike when you start at 18,19
Anyone remember that time it literally hit the news that he’s lost A ROUND in a fight, that’s how good he was
Roy Jones. He was making top 10 contenders look like absolute bums who have never boxed. It was a like a video game.
There have been so many.. Donald Curry was one. McCallum at times that inside precision, or Nunn when he fought Knox I think on the Hearns/Roldan undercard. Curry always stood out which was why his demise was so shocking. I never understood why some fighters lose and can keep going like Hearns or Duran, and others like Curry fall apart. But it does add to the greatness of the ones who can persevere.
