The Top Ten amateurs that did not live up to the hype professionally

I understand he was heavily hyped, and failed to reach those expectations, but it's like saying the 07 Patriots were the most disappointing team in NFL history: they still got to the super bowl and had an undefeated regular season.

I guess it comes down to if you believe that a very successful pro belongs on the list, regardless of unreasonable expectations. I would say no.

Audley is a very reasonable choice. He was extremely hyped, I recall MANY suggesting he could be an ATG and surpass Lewis as the best SHW ever. And then barely became a fringe contender. By the same token, if AJ loses to Wlad, picks up a couple more losses, but recaptures a belt and has a top notch he career, you would probably put him on this list while I wouldn't, though if he collapses into Michael Grant territory, I think it would be fair to do so.

 

I understand that, it was difficult to repeat that exact wording in my post so I used comparable wording. Again, I just don't agree with the concept that a very successful pro career could equal even one of the biggest gaps between amateur hype and pro performance. You're welcome to your own opinion.

 

I remember the hype. But he also had critics too. They thought that he was too thin, and they wanted to see how he would do in his first tough fight. He showed he was tough because Starling fought him dirty like how Salido fought Loma. He lost and showed some toughness and imo he did clearly beat Starling in the rematch.

 

I am hesitant to discredit or tarnish the achievements of an Olympic gold medalist but Tyrell Biggs didn't have the type of professional career that many expected he would after a stellar 108-6-4 amateur career.

 

Ricardo williams!

 

Good post.

 

Agree, he should be in the top 5 at least. First SHW gold medal winner, he was hyped as a potential ATG and barely had a better career than Audley

 

Sugar Ray Seales won a Gold Medal in the '72 Olympics, but came into the pros when Carlos Monzon and then Marvin Hagler, plus other MW beasts were around.

 

I like Joshua and tease his fans when they dis Wilder. Joshua was a decent amateur. Could be a better pro.

 

Herbert Runge won the Heavyweight Olympic gold medal and went 5-14-6.

Granted, he didn't go pro until 10 years after he won his gold- WWII hit and he needed the money once Germany was in shambles- so its not really fair to pin it on him....but that's probably the ugliest pro record you're going to find for an Olympic gold winner.

 

Wow, it seems to me you are being a bit hard on him.

Maybe I'm wrong, time will tell.

 

Lol, right or wrong I'm taking AJ. I am not fully sold on him yet but I question Vlad after his last couple of performances.

Will see.