Ten greatest underachievers in heavyweight history in order

There's a lot of competition for a spot on this list, that's for sure.

 

1) Buster Douglas
2) Riddick Bowe
3) Tyrell Biggs
4) Corrie Sanders
5) Mike Tyson
6) Oliver Mccall
7) Earnie Shavers
8) Ray Mercer
9) David Haye
10) Leon Spinks
(Not necessarily in order tbh)

 

Given his standing after the Norton win, George Foreman didn't cement the legacy he should have in career 1.

Totally overachieved in career 2, mind you.

 

Jack Dempsey

 

Why do you consider David Tua an under achiever?

 

Not sure about the 10.

James J Corbett is up there for one no one has mentioned yet.

 

Leon Spinks

 

The 1980s was a kind of a strange era in heavyweight boxing. You had two ATG’s in Larry Holmes and Mike Tyson and then you also had a group of talented but under achieving heavyweights that seemingly failed to reach the potential of their early career promise. Many of them did still win versions of the world title but there still a feeling that they could have done a lot more with their talents. This includes the likes of Pinklon Thomas, Tim Witherspoon, Michael Dokes, Greg Page, Tony Tucker, Gerry Cooney and Tony Tubbs.

 

Max Baer
Ernie Terrell
Corrie Sanders
Ike Ibeabuchi
Tony Galento
Gerry Cooney
Oliver McCall
Buster Douglas
Nino Valdez
Buddy Baer

 

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Where is Razor Ruddock

 

Well below 10.

 

1. Greg Page, Imo he could of been the next great, but he wasted his talent big time.

2. Max Schmeling, I know a world champ and lot of his underachievements was out of his hand as he was the most avoided boxer in that era, but his horrible inconsistency didn't help.

3. Jack Sharkey, former world champ, very inconsistent, him and Schmeling should of been the standard bearers to make the beginning of Louis's reign a little more difficult.

4. Tommy Morrison, Imo never good enough to be world champ but should of been a top contender a lot longer.

5. Ed Gunboat Smith, never really pushed for a world title fight even though one of the top contenders for years.

6. Lee Savold, I know he won a portion of the heavyweight title, but he was a top contender for years, losing big fights whenever the opportunity arose. When he did fight Louis both well passed prime, he was probably lucky not to face Louis when both in prime.

7. Riddick Bowe, I know he was undisputed champion but seemed to coast through his career after Holyfield II, the boxing bodies wouldn't rank him but he didn't help himself either.

8. Corrie Sanders, in the shadows much of his career, could of achieved more.

9. Gerry Cooney, don't think he was world champion material but should of kept at it after the Holmes match, something might of come around.

10. Earnie Shavers, lady luck never seemed to be on his side.