Why did he quit? Four fighters who gave up too early

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by TBooze, Sep 6, 2007.


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  1. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    This is the hardest sport in the world, so to a very large degree you cannot blame fighters for getting out of here; but below is four (modern) fighters who when they retired IMO still had a lot to offer the sport.

    Michael Spinks: He retired a wealthy man, but it so sad that so many boxing fans (generally young) only remember the Tyson fight. If Spinks had sorted out his knee post Tyson, I could see him being no worse than pick-em against any other Heavyweight up until 90/91...

    David Tiberi: Damn unlucky to drop the Toney fight in a decision rarely brought up in the seemingly 10s of bad decision threads that pop up on these boards every month. The very least he deserved was a rematch and pay day that went with it, instead he never fought again.

    George Foreman: Ok he found god in a shower:blood , and did comeback 10 years later, but he could of been a legitmate name on a Holmes resume in the late 70s, and surely would of been favoured to of beaten any of the WBA champs of the era (79-83).

    Ray Leonard: The demons were getting to him in 82 and he used the eye injury to quit. But if he had just stayed that little bit longer Curry, Pryor and a 154lbs rematch with Hearns, would of been fun. Then if he had survived all that, the Duran rubber could of been on the table six years earlier, not to mention a three year earlier clash with the Marvelous one.
     
    TBooze, Sep 6, 2007
    TBooze, Sep 6, 2007
    #1
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  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Gene Tunney is perhaps the obvious example. He could possibly have been around for a long time had he so wished.

    Incidentaly this would have been his schedule asuming that he beat all these oponents and did not need to re match them.

    1928 Young Stribling, Johny Risko
    1929 Jack Sharkey
    1930 Max Schmeling
    1931 Earnie Schaff
    1932 Max Baer
    1933 Tommy Loughran
    1934 Steve Hamas
    1935 Joe Louis
     
    janitor, Sep 6, 2007
    janitor, Sep 6, 2007
    #2
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  3. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    The answer to that is that Tunney was a very smart man and enjoyed a fulfilling life after boxing. :good
     
    My dinner with Conteh, Sep 6, 2007
    My dinner with Conteh, Sep 6, 2007
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  4. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think as well, he thought himself a bit above boxing hob nobbing with the George Bernard Shaw's of this world.
     
    TBooze, Sep 6, 2007
    TBooze, Sep 6, 2007
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  5. Nemesis

    Nemesis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Naseem Hamed is an ideal candidate
     
    Nemesis, Sep 6, 2007
    Nemesis, Sep 6, 2007
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  6. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Michael Spinks should not be there, his was a perfect retirement. What more did he have to prove? No chance of ever beating Tyson and he'd already achieved the pinnacle of heavyweight honors. He can't have gone up and he had oodles of money and common sense. For all we know the Tyson loss could have heavily affected his future efforts anyway.
     
    JohnThomas1, Sep 6, 2007
    JohnThomas1, Sep 6, 2007
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  7. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Wish there were more like him to be honest.

    Had he chosen to stay untill age retired him however he could have been a force for some time.
     
    janitor, Sep 6, 2007
    janitor, Sep 6, 2007
    #7
  8. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Tunney was 32. and in MOST cases I belive that is a good age for retirement. The rare breed of the Archie Moore's and George Foremans are other matter of couse.
     
    Dempsey1238, Sep 6, 2007
    Dempsey1238, Sep 6, 2007
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  9. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    And then maybe a Tucker or Green would've really rocked his boat.
     
    Titan1, Sep 6, 2007
    Titan1, Sep 6, 2007
    #9
  10. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I fancy that Tunney would have been good for two more years. He had less wear than most and had a style good for longevity.
     
    janitor, Sep 6, 2007
    janitor, Sep 6, 2007
    #10
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  11. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Well the Greb battles were wars. Tunney may have lasted longer. But he did have ring wear on him by the time of the Dempsey fights.
     
    Dempsey1238, Sep 6, 2007
    Dempsey1238, Sep 6, 2007
    #11
  12. TIGEREDGE

    TIGEREDGE Boxing Addict Full Member

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    spot on
     
    TIGEREDGE, Sep 6, 2007
    TIGEREDGE, Sep 6, 2007
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  13. TIGEREDGE

    TIGEREDGE Boxing Addict Full Member

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    felix trinidad could of had a few more years of greatness if not for his retiring in 02
     
    TIGEREDGE, Sep 6, 2007
    TIGEREDGE, Sep 6, 2007
    #13
  14. Jennifer Love Hewitt

    Jennifer Love Hewitt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think Marciano had some more fights left in him, but quitting early leaves him with that impressive "zero".
     
    Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sep 6, 2007
    Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sep 6, 2007
    #14
  15. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Perhaps. But Marciano was all ready showing signs of slowing down in hand speed in the Cockell and Moore fights. Also ring injurys were getting to him. His style was not ment to last long. He was pushing 33 when he retire. I belive he got out at the right time.
     
    Dempsey1238, Sep 6, 2007
    Dempsey1238, Sep 6, 2007
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