Golota could have been the HW GOAT if he wasn't so mentally weak.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by FastSmith7, Jun 23, 2022.



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  1. FastSmith7

    FastSmith7 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The guy was a sensational talent.
    He was a 230-240lbs guy with immense hand speed, good chin, great work rate and underrated boxing ability. What held him back was the psychological side. It was clear the guy suffered with some psychological ailments that wasted his career.

    He had the tendency to just turn every fight into a brawl, he could have used his boxing skills a lot more and I truly believe if he had an unbreakable mind, he could have been one of the greatest heavyweights ever, he had every attribute in the book when it comes to skill and he was blessed with tremendous genetics

    Look at the way he battered Bowe in their 2 fights, his biggest enemy was himself. He had mental breakdowns against Bowe, Tyson and Lewis, although I believe there was something shady going on in the Bowe fights.

    It's just sad to watch sometimes, rewatching some of his fights you could see he had all the goods, he had the ATG skill and the brittle mental state.
     
    FastSmith7, Jun 23, 2022
    FastSmith7, Jun 23, 2022
    #1
  2. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    Journeyman92, Jun 23, 2022
    Journeyman92, Jun 23, 2022
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  3. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I could be Superman if I had superhuman strength, the ability to fly and X-ray vision.
     
    Saintpat, Jun 23, 2022
    Saintpat, Jun 23, 2022
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  4. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist Full Member

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    At best, he wouldve been a tier 2 superheavyweight, which is arguably what he was anyway.

    His upright posture left him open for big shots. Tyson's rearranging of his neck and facial x-rays had everything to do with his stiffness and nothing to do with panic.
     
    NoNeck, Jun 23, 2022
    NoNeck, Jun 23, 2022
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  5. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    He lost as much as Bowe did in their two match-ups. I wouldn't classify his speed as "immense". His power was decent, his skills good. Had a mean streak but also a bully complex. He was a bit stiff but also athletic. Pre-Bowe he was really quite good. Million dollar body/Ten cent brain.
     
    Seamus, Jun 23, 2022
    Seamus, Jun 23, 2022
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  6. BoB Box

    BoB Box Rollin with the punches Full Member

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    Golota started with a two piece combo then went to a single punch then closed out the show with a 3 piece combo all to Bowes family jewels. Is that really a mental break down or just being a dirt bag?
     
    BoB Box, Jun 23, 2022
    BoB Box, Jun 23, 2022
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  7. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    They say boxing is 90 percent mental.

    Golota was 100 percent mental.
     
    Saintpat, Jun 23, 2022
    Saintpat, Jun 23, 2022
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  8. Fogger

    Fogger Father, grandfather and big sports fan. Full Member

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    This means you must be Batman.
     
    Fogger, Jun 23, 2022
    Fogger, Jun 23, 2022
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  9. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No
     
    70sFan865, Jun 23, 2022
    70sFan865, Jun 23, 2022
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  10. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    He battered Bowe cos Big Daddy was slipping quickly. If he'd faced Bowe from 1992, he gets hammered and stopped imo.
     
    Fergy, Jun 23, 2022
    Fergy, Jun 23, 2022
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  11. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    He was very talented, I cannot see why he could not have been a top tier HW & a champion-if his mental makeup was totaly different.

    But did he really have such extraordinary hand speed & work rate?
    That is overstated.
    But his mind always would limit the poor guy.
     
    Entaowed, Jun 24, 2022
    Entaowed, Jun 24, 2022
    #11
  12. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Exactly correct. Some folks rate Golota's performances against Bowe too highly. Bowe is badly suffering from CTE now days and was clearly not the same guy in either of the fights with Golota which were at the end of his career. Aside from the wars with Holyfield, Bowe had a very extensive and punishing amateur career at the very highest level. He took a lot of damage in his career and was shot when he fought Golota.
     
    AwardedSteak863, Jun 24, 2022
    AwardedSteak863, Jun 24, 2022
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  13. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Not with that defense.

    And like some other heavies--I sure do not like Andrew in there with the big hitters. Against the boxer types he matches up a lot better. Not the guys with snap on their punches. There's a reason he didn't fight too many hitters and the one's he did face ended up a disaster.
     
    zadfrak, Jun 24, 2022
    zadfrak, Jun 24, 2022
    #13
  14. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Well said.
     
    Fergy, Jun 24, 2022
    Fergy, Jun 24, 2022
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  15. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member Full Member

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    GOAT? Probably not, no. A much better heavyweight? Yes. At his best he was top tier.
     
    BCS8, Jun 24, 2022
    BCS8, Jun 24, 2022
    #15
    ikrasevic likes this.
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