Heavyweight contenders who you thinks should have been better

It was them Ding-Dongs, Big Macs and those little chocolate donuts that he trained on.

 

If Ron Stander had taken training seriously, had a top notch trainer, and not been overmatched early in his career against Frazier, he could have been a top contender, although of course, never a champion. Teddy Atlas said as much during a Friday Night Fights years ago. Others that come to mind include Thad Spencer, Larry Middleton, and Al Blue Lewis (who no one wanted to fight, especially Ellis and Quarry)

 

I think Bob Baker and Joe Bugner fit the mold of a couple of fighters that should have been better. They were both referred to as lazy fighters. Baker had a habit of showing up out of shape despite his skills and Bugner needed a fire under his stool to get him going.

 

Quite a few who didn't seem to max out to their full capabilities, esp when considering a few who won championships but wasn't disciplined enough to get to that highest level possible. G.Page, T.Witherspoon, M.Dokes R.Bowe I.Iaubechi , G.****ey. T.Tubbs, B.Douglas jr/sr. (Maybe not SR.he came along when some incredibly talented heavys were present, Along with J.Quarry.) C.Williams, and I'm sure many others.....

 

I'll add my voice to those that say Sanders could have been better. As a young fighter he was really light on his feet and flipping fast with a good gas tank. He needed somebody to keep him in the gym and fighting 4 times a year. You could just about hear the ring rust pattering to the floor in some of his later efforts.

 

A ton of guys in the 80s.

 

Galento for one. I also think Charles could have been a better fighter. I know he didn't only fight at Heavyweight and was also a champ but I think early in his career he was misguided. Especially with being thrown to the wolves early and having the unlucky fate of serving in WWII.

 

Maybe if Roland LaStarrza had been managed smarter.

 

I often criticise people for the high expectations that they place on the head to head performance of fighters like Gerry C00ney, David Tua, and Corrie Sanders, because their records simply don’t back up the claims.

I do however see them as fighters who should have had the tools to do a lot more than they actually did.

If even a fraction of what contemporary observers wrote about George Godfrey is true, then he should have shown us a lot more in the ring than he did.

I also see Lee Q Murray and Cleveland Williams as falling into a similar category to Godfrey.

 

Tim Witherspoon. Getting screwed over by Don King broke his spirit. Tim had good power, defense, boxing skills and a good chin.

 

I think Boudreaux broke his ankle and it never healed properly, robbing him of his mobility.

Jeff Merrit is an interesting choice, really good power, but a tad too fragile.

Someone mentioned Carl Williams. Carl had fine boxing skills, but developed a horrible habit of of dropping his right hand when jabbing, leaving him a sucker for a left hook. Due to his chin, Williams had to fight a very disciplined fight to be successful.

 

Edit: Wrong thread

 

Mac Foster seemed to have the goods. He did go 15 rounds against Ali and Ali later admitted he really did try to knock Foster out. Maybe he would have done better under **** Saddler who trained Liston late in his career and of course a young George Foreman. Also Florida Al Jones and Lee C****ito.

 

Joe Goddard should have been champ.

 

Hello folks .. Dokes was champion , stopping Mike Weaver for the title and losing it to Coetzee ...

Witherspoon for sure was wasted talent.

Something happened to Tony Tucker for sure.

Career 1 George Foreman was another.