Did see the decline of a fighter before anyone else

Someone gets dropped, beat-down or KO'd -- legend or prospect -- it's easy to say, "There, it's over for him." But, did you ever spot nuances -- even in a winning bout -- that pointed to his decline before any of your friends?

Lets see how keen an eye you have. Can you site any examples?

 

Yes, Mike Tyson against Frank Bruno in '89. I could see he was not the same force anymore. But others probably did too. However, it was all the more impressive for me because I was only 11 years old at the time!

 

cotto should get a good look on the listen for this thread

 

Is there something you see about Cotto now, VW?

 

Red Rooster saw the decline of Marvin before anyone else.

 

Marvin Hagler was never quite so Marvelous post Sibson, and people were actively picking against him from Hearns onwards, even against Leonard the odds were not as huge against Ray as they should of been.

Of today's fighters, a very weak division and a little run of form is keeping Wlad going, but he still only one punch away from being shot (once again )

Taylor's wars and close fights will catch up with him and I will put a tenner down that Pavlik wins inside four...

 

Dinner was invited to eat over with John Conteh and Hagler and Leonard and Tommy Hearns.

 

I do remember a lot of people, celebs picking Ray to win. I don't remember everyone involved but Hearns was one of them. Sure the logic was that Hagler should prevail but that didn't stop many fans from going with Ray.

They just like to tell that big underdog story looking back so they can make him seem all that much more amazing feat since he had so few fights.

There were a number of exceptions tho. You could actually find some people who would pick Marvin. I don't remember who it was but sports anchor Jim Hill was asking a "by the way, who you picking in the fight" question and Jim was very surprised his guest answered Hagler, responding with "REALLY???"

So it's as you say Booze, people just like to exaggerate when it comes to leonard.

 

Any of you see anything tell-tale about RJJ before Tarver clocked him? Or Donald Curry before Honegan (sp) flattened him?

Who here was ahead of the curve?

 

all due respect. we knew that tyson was on the decline before the bruno fight. his problems were for all to see. but few saw that douglas would beat him

 

Good example. I saw it the same way.

 

I don't think anyone expected Tarver to win that big, with a single left hand. I didn't, anyway. Jones didn't seem 100% in their first fight, maybe from going down in weight. But i expected him to come in in great condition in their rematch, and destroy Tarver, much like he destroyed Griffin in their rematch.
Turns out someone did get destroyed, only it was the wrong guy.

 

When Jeff Chandler lost to Oscar Muniz, there were some minor signs, but for the most part, I ignored them. Didn't expect Sandoval to beat him that bad.

 

:think

I don't think it was so easy to spot. Tyson's fight before Bruno was his emphatic 1 round demolition of Spinks. Some say his best performance over his most talented opponent. So please explain, how was it so obvious that Tyson was on the decline before the Bruno fight?

 

Because Bruno hurt Tyson if I recall. Or was that the rematch?