Name a boxer that's skilled but doesn't have that "dog in him"

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Smoochie, Jul 18, 2025.

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  1. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think what made it work is that Kitten Hayward very much fits the type of fighter OP is talking about here. Ton of skill but lacking the grit of tough-guy Philadelphians of his weight and era.
     
    Saintpat, Jul 18, 2025
    #31
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  2. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Rigondeaux gutted it out against Ceja and won a rough fight against that huge Japanese guy.
     
    NoNeck, Jul 18, 2025
    #32
  3. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    In that case Loma also gutted it out in tough fights with Linares, Ortiz, Haney.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Jul 18, 2025
    #33
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  4. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Andre Dirrell certainly had serious talent and skills but lacked that drive and determination to be even greater. Still shocking how he wasn’t able to win a world title while his brother Anthony Dirrell did.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Jul 18, 2025
    #34
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  5. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Dude lost against Hane and Ortiz was a track meet. Didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
     
    NoNeck, Jul 18, 2025
    #35
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  6. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not at all. I just went along with your criteria. I can easily say that Rigo quit against Loma and did a track meet with Casimero and Astrolabio.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2025
    Flo_Raiden, Jul 18, 2025
    #36
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  7. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    It's telling that you're stuck with fights that happened well after his prime and another past prime and at the wrong weight.

    In his prime, he showed some dog against Donaire and Amagasa. Post prime, he did against Ceja. He wasn't challenged all that much in his prime though. His am career also checks out.
     
    NoNeck, Jul 18, 2025
    #37
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  8. Bigcheese

    Bigcheese Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Tony Tucker and Filip Hrgovic seem to lack that extra gear needed to be elite.
     
    Bigcheese, Jul 18, 2025
    #38
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  9. Smoochie

    Smoochie G.R.E.B G.O.A.T Full Member

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    The 1st person that came to my mind when I made the thread tbh, that Calzaghe fight... yikes
     
    Smoochie, Jul 19, 2025
    #39
  10. Smoochie

    Smoochie G.R.E.B G.O.A.T Full Member

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    Would you consider these two skilled tho?
     
    Smoochie, Jul 19, 2025
    #40
  11. Peteychops

    Peteychops Member Full Member

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    Jerry Quarry?
     
    Peteychops, Jul 19, 2025
    #41
  12. drenlou

    drenlou VIP Member

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    Acelino Freitas.
     
    drenlou, Jul 19, 2025
    #42
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  13. OddR

    OddR Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I mean look the way he bounced back after those 3 stoppages losses and the effort he put into the AJ fight in his last after the embarrassing Fury loss. Sure he isn't the most gritty but his mental toughness isn't anywhere near as bad considering this.
     
    OddR, Jul 19, 2025
    #43
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  14. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yeah you only have to look at the 1st fight with Peter. Down 3 times an hurt plenty of other times throughout but he didn’t gave up an even hurt Peter in the last round when Peter was going all out for the late ko. Wlad was dog tired near the end but still pulled off the decision win
     
    JackSilver, Jul 19, 2025
    #44
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  15. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    Disagree. Wlad had an iffy chin, not an iffy heart. I've never seen him get knocked down without trying to get back up and fight on. Kind of like Bowe in the end. Golota was kicking the crap out of Bowe but Bowe never stopped trying to win.
     
    BCS8, Jul 19, 2025
    #45
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