Biggest overachiever in heavyweight history

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dmt, Dec 8, 2020.


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  1. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Holyfield.
     
    Saad54, Dec 9, 2020
    Saad54, Dec 9, 2020
    #16
  2. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Rocky was clearly in the Frazier/Holyfield class of desire ..
     
    he grant, Dec 9, 2020
    he grant, Dec 9, 2020
    #17
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  3. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I’ll throw Jimmy Ellis into the discussion.

    In 1964 he’s a middleweight losing to Don Fullmer, Hurricane Carter and George Benton. By 1967 he has beefed up to heavyweight and in that year defeats Leotis Martin, Oscar Bonavena and Jerry Quarry in succession.

    Then he beats Floyd Patterson for the WBA heavyweight belt, his only losses from 1970 until he runs into Earnie Shavers in mid-73 are to Frazier and Ali, with a win over George Chuvalo (in Canada) as the highlight of that period.

    Ellis is probably the unlikeliest heavyweight champ of all, given that he was a middleweight of modest accomplishment (splitting a pair of fights with Holly Mims being his high-water mark at 160).
     
    Saintpat, Dec 9, 2020
    Saintpat, Dec 9, 2020
    #18
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  4. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    great post. Excellent points. I forgot about Ellis but you are right.
     
    dmt, Dec 9, 2020
    dmt, Dec 9, 2020
    #19
  5. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing

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    I would pick Leon Spinks as both the biggest overachiever and one of the biggest underachievers, somehow.
     
    catchwtboxing, Dec 9, 2020
    catchwtboxing, Dec 9, 2020
    #20
  6. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    He dominated Bonavena too ... a hell of a win, dropping him twice ..
     
    he grant, Dec 10, 2020
    he grant, Dec 10, 2020
    #21
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  7. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    Jack Sharkey falls very firmly into the underachiever category!
     
    janitor, Dec 12, 2020
    janitor, Dec 12, 2020
    #22
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  8. Surrix

    Surrix Boxing Addict Full Member

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    A.J.
     
    Surrix, Dec 12, 2020
    Surrix, Dec 12, 2020
    #23
  9. titanic

    titanic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    What happened to him now anyways? Where the heck is Ruiz ?
     
    titanic, Dec 12, 2020
    titanic, Dec 12, 2020
    #24
  10. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Likely fights Luis Ortiz in 2021 and tries to get a big three fight if he wins.
     
    NoNeck, Dec 12, 2020
    NoNeck, Dec 12, 2020
    #25
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  11. Curtis Lowe

    Curtis Lowe Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Good choice. Oleg's nickname should have been "The Cat", as the man had 9 career lives.

    Mike Weaver (kind of like Oleg, except Oleg always seemed to get KOed on national TV). Weaver started his career with a 1-3 record, was 6-6 after 12 fights. Talk about someone "finding themself", Weaver should be the poster child.

    Leon Spinks and the original Cinderella Jimmy Braddock all good choices.
     
    Curtis Lowe, Dec 12, 2020
    Curtis Lowe, Dec 12, 2020
    #26
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  12. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    If Jack Sharkey was an arch underachiever, then perhaps Johnny Risko and Tom Heeney were arch overachievers.

    They had a fraction of Sharkey's talent, yet they occupied a similar position in the division, while Gene Tunney was champion.
     
    janitor, Dec 12, 2020
    janitor, Dec 12, 2020
    #27
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  13. louis54

    louis54 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Sharkey and willard underachievers... Over maybe norton...
     
    louis54, Dec 12, 2020
    louis54, Dec 12, 2020
    #28
  14. janitor

    janitor VIP Member

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    Why in god's name do people bring Sharkey into this conversation?

    The guy was talent rich, and kept losing crucial fights, to people with a fraction of his talent.

    He should have cleaned out the other contenders while Tunney was champion!
     
    janitor, Dec 12, 2020
    janitor, Dec 12, 2020
    #29
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  15. louis54

    louis54 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Meant underachieving
     
    louis54, Dec 12, 2020
    louis54, Dec 12, 2020
    #30
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