Name me some "what if" fighters that could've achieved more in their careers?

Dustin "Worm" Nichols

 

Tony Ayala Jr. He was a beast of a fighter before he became a ****** POS.

 

I think he is the ultimate what if. I was an infant when he was fighting but he was one of my fathers favorites. From what I've read, seen and heard from my pop he had it all including discipline so I feel pretty confident he would have been around for a while therefore a lot of accomplishments were on the horizon. Watching his fights I always think of how many great fights and matchups would have been in his future considering the success he already achieved.

 

That was all me, a little reality, a little fantasy. I like to believe Chavez did coke because he ruined Taylor's career and not because he was a typical junkie of the 80s and 90s.

 

What an imagination you have

 

Aside from Sanchez, I always wondered how Marcel Cerdan might had also changed boxing history had he not died in that accident.

 

Benny Lynch is another one who should have done greater things. Alcohol problems cut short his career at age 25. He died 8 years later.

 

He would've been eaten by any of the fab 4 imo..

 

isn't that what happened though ?

 

Early death of fighters who already achieved HOF worthy accomplishment:
-Stanley Ketchel
-Pancho Villa
-Salvador Sanchez

 

Mesi? He didn't get messed up, except by a punch behind the head, which was illegal. Prior to that, Mesi was busting him up all night.

 

joe calzaghe could have done more, though it would have meant entertaining a few losses on his record too so he didnt want to.

 

Naseem Hamed

 

Amir Khan

 

Masao Ohba, who was the Salvador Sanchez of the Flyweights. Both were killed at just twenty-three, both in car crashes while still reigning world champions.

Ohba was outstanding and could have gone on to become one of the greatest of all Flyweight champions. His final fight against Chartchai Chionoi is absolutely magnificent – anyone who hasn’t seen it should really check it out. What a war, with a little bit of everything in it. In fact, aside from the first fight between Fidel Bassa and Dave McAuley, I don’t think there’s ever been a better 112 lb title fight. Ohba’s death was a real tragedy for the sport and it’s interesting to ponder what he might have achieved, and how he might have been remembered today, if he hadn’t been taken so young.

Slightly different kind of ‘what if’, but Diosbelys Hurtado was a great talent who might have done brilliant things had he not had a chin made of the finest china. Might well have got the win over Whitaker, and was capable of beating Tszyu stylistically before Kostya’s pressure wore him down. Looked to be maturing in to a potential pound for pounder with his superb demolition job on Randall Bailey (ironically one of the biggest punchers he faced, maybe THE biggest)….Only to then get himself knocked out against Harris with a shot which landed on his gloves more than anything, so brittle were those whiskers of his.