We all know the tale of Ecklund’s troubled life and his battles with drugs among other things. As it went he was never stopped in a pro ring and took some good fighters the distance. Had it not been for his lifestyle do you think the potential was there to be more successful ?
Definitely. Dickie was tough as nails but had an underrated ring IQ. Listen to the things he tells his brother in the corner during the Gatti fights. Very observant and knew his way around the sport! The Eklund that took Sugar Ray the distance was a handful for anyone. And had he not fallen off the rails after that scrap and just kept grinding and working on his craft… he’d have won a strap or two down the road. No doubt about it imo.
I don't think so and I have a couple of his fights. Talented for sure and definitely world class and tough but he was clearly below the divisions best boxers. Without jacking your thread you know who could have really been something had they applied themselves more? Mayweather's father.
