Biggest underachievers in heavyweight history

Gregory Edward Page, possibly Michael Dokes, or Tim Witherspoon.

 

Bowe
Ibeaubuchi
Tua
Harrison

Tyson and Dempsey both achieved a lot but could of achieved even more, but i wouldn't call them underachievers.

 

Well, I'd rate him ahead of Ellis and Terrell, who both owned straps for a short time. He underachieved compared to many of his peers (at least in terms of title(s).

 

Ray Mercer an underachiever? Shurely shome mishtake.

 

Oh god, I love how Bowe is mentioned in half of these posts and yet he ran through a prime Holyfield and destroyed any number of undefeated prospects with ease, and blew out fighters like Seldon and Ferguson like no one ever had or ever did.

He didn't acheive 100% of his potential but he hardly floundered like the likes of Leon Spinks or Audely Harrison

 

On Sharkey, while I agree that he was a good middle-row champion with some talent, these articles are over the top in certain areas.

1. Schmeling wasn't fouled--I just watched the film. It is in slow motion. He was fouled and grossly.

2. Sharkey was better than Schmeling in the second fight--That was in fact not what the majority at ringside thought, according to the New York Times report of June 22, 1932 by James P Dawson:

"There were many, however, who did not agree with the official decision, and boos were mingled with cheers when Sharkey was announced as the winner. Not only did the spectators voice strong disapproval, but a canvass of newspaper experts at the ringside showed the majority believed the German was entitled to the verdict. Radio announcers were also of the opinion that the laurels should have gone to Schmeling."

"An unofficial survey of critics at the ringside disclosed that fourteen out of twenty-two thought Schmeling won. One favored a draw and seven supported the official decision for Sharkey."

"On the Schmeling side was this writer. I gave Schmeling nine rounds, Sharkey five, and one even."

The writer points out not only was Schmeling the aggressor, but "In hitting, Schmeling outscored his rival, as was apparent from Sharkey's battered appearance."

In his autobiography, Schmeling quotes Gene Tunney--"The decision is a scandal. Sharkey was on the defensive for the entire fifteen rounds. No one ever won the title that way. The decision is a disaster for the sport. On my card Schmeling won going away."

Perhaps 14-7-1 is not definitive, but this clearly was a questionable decision to take away a champion's title, and Schmeling was not given a rematch with Sharkey.

3. This description of Sharkey's various punches as "lethal". The facts say otherwise. Sharkey ko'd only 13 of 55 opponents, one of the lowest totals for a heavyweight champion or contender. He clearly was not a particularly dangerous puncher at this level. Of all the contenders I can think of, only powderpuff punching Jimmy Young, with 11 ko's in 56 fights, was less dangerous. The best that can be said for Sharkey is that perhaps he punched harder that his record indicates.

 

Max Baer
Andrew Golota
Zab Judah(altough still fighting)

 

Didn't know Zab was so big!

 

I'm saying or implying neither that Braddock was not worthy of a shot or the title itself, i'm just saying that he wasn't exactly one of the greatest champs we've seen, in a very erratic time. And whether or not it was his hand injury, his record was of journeyman quality during a while.

 

I remember watching the Australian open tennis years ago which Boris Becker won, the commentators were saying it was noticeable how Becker's game had lifted when Sampras went out early. I just wonder if this is not the case with Max Baer and Galota and a few others out there when you know you have to face a Louis or a Lewis at some stage it has a the effect of sometimes killing motivation.

 

How about Oliver McCall?

 

Good picks.

The Super Southpaw Freak of Nature is deserving to be mentioned as well.

 

If he could've quit the coke and had a manager like Steward or similar through his career, maybe so. An amateur career would've helped too. A chin like that is a shame to waste, though hey - how many guys can say they beat both Lewis and Holmes?