Fighters who weren't the sum of their parts

Chad Dawson: Every single one of his trainers said he was one of the most gifted physical specimens they ever worked with, but he was mentally out to lunch.

 

And defense, any semblance of a jab, and technique.

 

Dmitry Pirog, not sure how or why he got injured, but having a resilient and injury proof body is an oft-overlooked part of making it to the top.

Saw someone mention Gamboa, he’s another great example.

I’ll throw in Sergio Martinez. He had a very high “high” but it was very short lived.

Amir Khan, one of the most offensively gifted fighters I’ve seen, and for as crap as his chin was, showed good recovery abilities at times… think his biggest problem was more mental than his chin. Seemed to fight emotionally at times, come in with terrible strategy (If the Garcia loss was the start of the end, training with Virgil was the nail in the coffin)

Zab Judah seemed like he should have been elite, but always found himself coming up short against the elite.

 

Audley Harrison. Woof.

 

Though he did become a champion and had a long career, When I first saw Hector Camacho Sr. I thought he would be an ATG, with the potential to be the G.O.AT
What a difference drugs and one lethal right hand from Edwin Rasario made.
Extraordinary physicality and skillset ruined by below average mindset.

 

Definitely. Joe was as tough as they come - concretely qualified by a resume that includes distance fights with both Ali (X 2) and Frazier.

Tbh, if not for the cut, I strongly believe that he would’ve survived Shavers also and gone on to win. Love Earnie but it wasn’t his most “clean”’fight.

Last I read, poor old Joe was in care in QLD? Australia.

Within that already unfortunate frame, I hope he is doing okay otherwise.

A very articulate and quick witted man at his best and firmly embedded among the iconic 70s crew for mine.

 

I've always thought Bugner was the heavyweight with the most wasted potential.

 

I definitely agree he’s right up there in that category.

He had very nice fast hands and could punch hard and in fluid combination when he was sufficiently inclined.

A huge HW for that era also, with ideal dimensions.

 

RD I recently forgave Eddie Mustafa for the Snipes and Scott fight - I watched him in with Pops and have concluded he could’ve been a lot more than he was IMO, great boxer when he showed up.