Injury and drug free Tony Tucker.. How good could he have been?

The post with the only shred of common sense to it...Tucker was as good as he possibly could be, just like Buster Douglas !

 

Even with his well documented issues, he was unlucky not to get more breaks.

He was a mandatory for both Spinks, and older Foreman, when they held the lineal title.

Perhaps he should have been in the lineage somewhere?

 

On the flip he was kind of lucky to keep getting all these mandated spots because he really didn't do anything in contrast to his peers.

 

The biggest detriment to Tucker's development was not injuries or drugs - it was crappy quality of opposition. In his first seven full years as a pro, he had faced two decent fighters - a faded Jimmy Young and an already exposed James Broad.

 

I think he could've been in the same category of Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield and Bowe if he stayed on top of his game.

 

Eddie Lopez too.

 

What is this Delucia loss you speak of?

 

I'm not unfamiliar with anything about Don King.

The "right time" to catch a fighter? When Tucker came back from his exile with drugs, King - the only promoter willing to work with him - got Tucker 13 fights (all wins) over three years. He kept him busy fighting easy guys first. Then he steered him to title contention by getting him regional title fights. Then he got him a mandatory WBC spot against Lewis. Then he got the fight to a purse bid and Tucker got 25% ($3 million). Tucker had SIX MONTHS to prepare for Lewis.

How the Hell you think King did him wrong I have no idea.

After Tucker lost to Lewis, King got him four fights the following year (all easy/all wins) and got Tucker the mandatory spot against Foreman. Foreman vacated, so Tucker got to fight SELDON.

Most people in the history of boxing would consider Bruce Seldon an easier fight than George Foreman. Tucker had five months to prepare. Tucker lost again.

Within two years, he had Tucker back again at the top of the WBO ratings. Another vacant title shot after Akinwande (who had already beaten Tucker) vacated. Tucker had six months between his last bout and Hide.

Most people would consider Henry Akinwande tougher to beat than Herbie Hide. Tucker lost to hide.

After two more wins over nobodies, King got Tucker a North American title fight against John Ruiz. The winner got a shot a top rating in the WBA. Ruiz won.

Tucker got three title shots at three different titles, all after he was clean. King didn't rush him. King gave him safe fights. King got him in position to be mandatory TWO times and a #2 contender for the vacant WBO title. Tucker was never rushed. Tucker was given one opportunity after another and did really well (except in title fights).

Whatever issue you have with King, Tucker didn't. King treated Tucker better than practically any fighter he ever promoted. King was loyal to Tucker. Tucker was loyal to King.

Tucker just couldn't win WINNABLE title fights (Seldon and Hide) when they were giftwrapped for him.

That wasn't King's fault.

Tucker's problems had nothing to do with King. Tucker's problems started when he was an amateur, and they continued until he took a few years off to clean up after losing to Tyson. Blame the Duvas. Blame Main Events. Blame Top Rank. Blame Harold Smith. Blame the Houston Boxing promoters. Blame Tony Tucker's dad. Blame Tony Tucker.

But Don King only spent three months with Tony Tucker in Tucker's first career, right at the end, when Tucker was about to go off the rails. And King helped Tucker come all the way back and be a fixture throughout the 1990s.

 

An amateur loss.

 

Ok, i checked it. A close fight but Tucker had point deductions. Not the end of the world.

 

I'm pretty sure Tucker only took home a low six figure amount for the Tyson fight, regardless of the official purse.

 

King is not going to keep a fighter without making as much money as possible off him even if he has better ideas for a champion he can position........believe what you want I have had friends put in the same position who wanted nothing to with Kings methods but still fought under Kings umbrella because King had their "best interest at heart" and were constantly being put in positions where they were set up to win and then to lose then go on win streaks and then set up to lose because of timing they became name opponents to give credibility.....most fighters are not hustlers on Kings level and can't play his games....there are few promoters who can stack up with Kings ability to play human chess......but never underestimate a promoter and their understanding of the game King had a diabolical mind for hustling people

 

I think he could have been greater than Bowe, whom I think, in contrast, we saw as good as could be expected of him. Bowe had every chance to be great.

 

Tony Tucker joins the what if list of 80's HW who under achieved with the
talent they had. Michael Dokes , Greg Page and Gerry Cooney.
All were plagued by managerial , medical and mental and drug problems.
TT acknowledged this " I had some real bumps along the way some bad
breaks too. I should have been more dedicated to the game. "

 

I think he could have done more than Dokes, Page, & Cooney if you gave all four the same opportunities to achieve their maximum latent potential.