u.k. boxers who never lived up to their promise

deal:deal

 

Dean Francis would be my biggest dissapointment but then again it was injuries to his right shoulder that did him in more than anything so I cant blame him too much.
His fight with Tony oakey was one of my favorite fights ever.

David Barnes is another and of course Fraudley.

 

How did Naz not live up to his potential? He was a world class fighter for a long time, one of the best in the world with plenty of solid wins. Not to mention great coverage and attention as well as the money he garnered.

He really wasn't ever as good as the Mexicans...to say he is an underachiever is to hint that he was, and thats a mistake.

 

I always thought Adrian Dodson/Carew would do better.

Colin McMillan and Paul Ingle could have had longer runs, without injuries too.

 

Looking at the thread title, I could be being a bit harsh!

Its not that they didnt achieve, they just could have gone on a touch more without the bad luck.

 

Kirkland Laing beats Roberto Duran...:yep

The next year after the Kirkland Laing defeat he earns $3m, poor old Kirkland does not have a bean, you go figure it...:-(

It's not a sport, it's a brutal business...:deal

 

To be fair the last thing Laing needed was a fight with Tommy Hearns.

 

He couldn't handle Fred Futchings let alone Tommy Hearns. A disinterested Duran aside, whats Laings best win?

 

Didnt Laing do it for you Gaz...:think

I remember a spot on Sportsnight as a kid about Laing, I think that they did it to Smooth Operator by Sade, never seen it since, it was great...:yep

 

I liked him as a Euro/ domestic operator, he was entertaining but I think if you look at his record against world class opponents his potential at that level can get overstated.

 

Paul Smith

People may laugh at this one but Paul was a world class amatuer , 2 time ABA champion and a Commonwealth Silver medalist , an outstanding record against world level ama fighters .

 

It's a fair post but the difference between the amateurs and the paid ranks is immense, especially if fighters are going to go all the way...:yep

 

Audley.

Has the size and the skills but no heart.

 

Kevin Mitchel, Audley Harrison

 

Retired after a solitary loss, left the game long before that solitary loss. For someone so talented to give up at the age of 28 is criminal, he had POTENTIALLY so much more to achieve. Could have had another 5 losses and still retired an absolute legend. As it stands he just ducked out far, far too soon.