Champs or top contenders whose accomplishments far exceeded therir skills?

I lower my head in shame and apologise for ever doubting the sugary skills of SNV :blurp

 

John Ruiz is at the top of the list for me. I just don't think he brings any kind of physical advantage to the table in his fights, yet he wound up sticking around for far longer than I thought he would've and has some nice wins to boot.

Calzaghe and Sanders being mentioned, I don't get. The gist of what I got from the thread was "which champ or contender was the biggest overachiever relative to physical ability", and both Sanders and Calzaghe are guys who I thought underachieved by that measure and left bigger accomplishments on the table. Both had exceptional natural ability to start with and build off of- Corrie didn't take boxing as seriously as he could've, and Joe didn't test himself as often as he could've. It wasn't a lack of physical talent issue with either of them.

 

Best example I've read so far.

 

frans botha didn't have much more than a 1-2 and uppercuts inside, had terrible stamina, was slow. yet he pulled some skilled guys into brawls and went much further than his skillset would indicate.

 

The White Buffalo was an immortal.

 

John Ruiz is a good mention....agreed