This is probably for the guys who've been around a while. I'm not talking about upsets here. More about careers and boxing in general. What are some things that surprised you, both good and bad, as a follower of boxing? My first picks: - The effectiveness of George Foreman's comeback. George was ridiculed and criticized for making a comeback at age 38. Yet he's now thought of as one of the best heavys of the 90's, he's made millions in commercial endorsements, and became a household name all over again. - The fizzling out of Donald Curry. Man, he was a future superstar, especially after dispatching of Milton McCrory so quickly. And that was pretty much it... - The incredible rags to riches to rags story of Matthew Saad Muhammad. Anyone know how he did - quality of life wise - during his last few years?
Curry lost those legs. Same thing happened to the legs of Terry Norris, among others. But I did not like Curry at 154. Just another fighter that is terrific in 1 division only and the ballgame changes when he moves up a division. Hard to believe it is even the same guy in that Jacquot fight. Even worse was the comeback attempt against Linton.
As it pertains to the thread-----big surprise was probably the not so great career of Mark Breland. What a terrific amateur and looked like the streets were paved with gold for the guy. Never quite worked out that way. But there was such a big following for him as an amateur---maybe the biggest in America the last 3 decades. and that was during a time when amateur boxing was important and closely followed. But I thought that frame of Breland at that weight was going to be too much for the opposition. I didn't think there were many around that could deal with that reach and height. Then those fast hands and busy busy busy style of his. But he was never too good at punch resistance. Hard to see that element in amateur fights. And he sure was not good at the attrition and wear and tear factor of pro boxing.
Surprised boxing is still around and doing ok. Needs better structure. Needs a Dana White of sorts to call the shots. Thought it was done after Pac and May couldn’t get a deal done. Surprised Wlad was able to make such a great comeback after getting knocked put so bad v Sanders and Brewster. Tip my hat to him
My biggest shock was how much Canelo has developed, Scandals here and there GB is good like that. He learns his lessons well and just keeps working at it. I don't think the hate he gets is very justified. Sure the judges, the true L to GGG the second was razor thin and his L to FM was forgivable. Since then he has done nothing but put in the work every single camp and improve every fight.
the sad story of Tommy Morrison, a talented charismatic fighter, dead of AIDS at 43. Watch the ESPN documentary on him, the story is all in there.
Actually had him winning both fights (barely) but completely understand the first fight being a Toss up. Not the second so much
I thought the first was A LOT closer then made out, but I think GGG won soundly. People act like GGG was beating his @$$ around the ring with one hand and drinking a beer with the other.
I really didn’t have a dog in that fight I liked both guys. There were like four or five rounds thag could have went either way
I'm sure most will file this under WGAF, but I think it's astonishing how John L. Sullivan at 46 years old (13 years after he lost the title to Corbett) flatlined Jim McCormick in the 2nd round of a 4 round fight. McCormick fought Jack Johnson three times, one ending in a 15 round no decision while the last two were DQ losses.
Lomachenko wasn't as good as I originally thought he'd be (for reference, Loma debuted when I was 13 so I basically grew up with him. He was one of the first current Boxers I was majorly interested in).
Surprised Wilder wants a 3rd Fury fight. However, either his ego has gone through the roof or he is getting dreadful advice from his team who must see him as a cash cow. I for fear for him mentally & physically.
After he beat Holyfield I thought Riddick Bowe would reign for years. I was surprised how bad Tyson looked post prison. I thought Leonard would annihilate Hearns in the rematch. Douglas v Tyson. Jones jnr v Tarver 2. What a bad loser Julio Cesar Chavez turned out to be. What a great fighter Pernell Whitaker turned out to be. Was never a fan, but Lennox Lewis becoming such a great fighter......not counting the corpses of Holyfield & Tyson. Just when you think Mayweather can't make anymore of a tit of himself he goes & surprises you. Larry Holmes beating Mercer & giving Holyfield problems. George Foreman's comeback started out as a huge joke, but then....... Don Curry's sudden fall from Mount Olympus. Andrew Golota snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Bowe.......twice! Marco Antonio Barrera losing to Junior Jones twice.......then resurrecting himself. Mike Tyson overcoming a broken back to K.O Clifford Ettienne.........Tee Hee.
Panchito Bojado with the hype he received never grabbed a title Randall Bailey winning another title in 2012 truly shocked me Riddick Bowe's rapid descent from being one of the best in the world in 96 to essentially being done 2 fights later.
If I recall correctly, this was proven to be a different McCormick than the one who faced Johnson. This was not the Texan Jim McCormick. I think I had a thread largely about this years ago.