Fighters who exceeded their potential?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Rumsfeld, Dec 17, 2008.


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  1. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    Curious to see a list of fighters who wound up exceeding their potential/expectations. No real criteria for this, just curious to hear some names and justifications.

    For example, I think Tomasz Adamek would qualify. When he first squared off against Paul Briggs on the untelevised Brewster-Golota under card, he was a 4 to 1 underdog who was never expected to amount to much beyond contender status. He won the title, successfully defended it twice, and has since moved up to cruiserweight where he has looked sensational (for the most part). In my mind, this clearly constitutes a fighter who did more than what was expected of him in his career.

    Curious to hear some other examples sited.
    :good
     
    Rumsfeld, Dec 17, 2008
    Rumsfeld, Dec 17, 2008
    #1
  2. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    antonio margarito he wasnt going to beat cotto and be recognised as best WW

    carlos baldomir beat judah and became champ and was really a journy man who fought out of his skin

    gavin rees just a 1 dimensional brawler who won a world title with a great performance
     
    GPater11093, Dec 17, 2008
    GPater11093, Dec 17, 2008
    #2
  3. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Kelvin Seabrooks pops to mind.
     
    natonic, Dec 17, 2008
    natonic, Dec 17, 2008
    #3
  4. dav8d777

    dav8d777 Member Full Member

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    Jim Braddock
     
    dav8d777, Dec 17, 2008
    dav8d777, Dec 17, 2008
    #4
  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Oliver McCall?
     
    mr. magoo, Dec 17, 2008
    mr. magoo, Dec 17, 2008
    #5
  6. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    John Ruiz comes to mind. So do other heavies like Renaldo Snipes/Scott Ledoux/Frans Botha/Oliver McCall/Ron Stander.
     
    zadfrak, Dec 17, 2008
    zadfrak, Dec 17, 2008
    #6
  7. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Rocky Marciano
     
    Russell, Dec 17, 2008
    Russell, Dec 17, 2008
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  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Primo Carnera.

    Not becauyse he benefited from fixed fights but because of his sweat and focus.
     
    janitor, Dec 17, 2008
    janitor, Dec 17, 2008
    #8
  9. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    He fullfilled more potential than any benefactor of fixed fights ever has:good

    Good post.
     
    mr. magoo, Dec 17, 2008
    mr. magoo, Dec 17, 2008
    #9
  10. BritInvasion

    BritInvasion keepin on keepin on Full Member

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    Mike Tyson. Seriously. He was always gonna be a bit of a like, oddball. Caught up with him later than really should have been expected.
     
    BritInvasion, Dec 17, 2008
    BritInvasion, Dec 17, 2008
    #10
  11. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    marcianos a good shout

    when he first started boxing his trainer said he was falling over his feet
     
    GPater11093, Dec 17, 2008
    GPater11093, Dec 17, 2008
    #11
  12. booradley

    booradley Mean People Kick Ass! Full Member

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    I think the guy in my avatar gets a shout on this thread. Danny just wasn't all that talented, but his punching ability, courage, and let it all hang out style, made him a huge fan favorite. He was WBC featherweight champion through 7 defenses. Arguello vacated the WBA title and moved up to 130 about 1 month after Danny won the WBC title from David Kotey. From that point until he ultimately lost to Salvador Sanchez Danny was widely considered the man at 126. Not bad for a slugger with leaky defense and mediocre speed.
     
    booradley, Dec 17, 2008
    booradley, Dec 17, 2008
    #12
  13. GPater11093

    GPater11093 Barry Full Member

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    steve collins comes to my mind
     
    GPater11093, Dec 17, 2008
    GPater11093, Dec 17, 2008
    #13
  14. la-califa

    la-califa Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Randall "Tex" Cobb. had a decent pro career. Aside from the title shot with Holmes. Troy Dorsey had a good career & stuck around for awhile.
     
    la-califa, Dec 17, 2008
    la-califa, Dec 17, 2008
    #14
  15. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tracy Harris Patterson. Floyd's adopted son, so you can't chalk it up to genes. I think he exceeded his physical ability and won 2 world titles at 122 (skipped 126) and 130. Sure the divisions had already been watered down woth titles but he turned out to be a very good fighter.
     
    natonic, Dec 17, 2008
    natonic, Dec 17, 2008
    #15
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