Underachievers and Overachievers of Aussie boxing

I agree with Cliff Samardin. Jason Arena was 12-o when he dropped off the radar in 2002.He looked good in his last few fights. He'd still only be 27. Nadar Hamdan is another overachiever. Basically he had a big heart and will to win which took him a lot further than his ability would have suggested.Shane Knox from years ago is another with a good main event record who gave it away when he looked capable of going further.

 

That's the biggest load of dribble I've ever read on here, congratulations. Anyone who bases their career in Gatton and gets 2 world title shots is anything but an underacheiver.

 

Heard paul had a fight in NZ earlier thius month but it fell through and that he is giving boxing one last crack so that he doesn't die wondering. From what I hear he is looking very fit and focused. Lets hope he gets rid of his Am style of scoring shot and jump back and translates what he does in the gym into the ring. I hear he is a very nice bloke so I wish him all the best

 

Thanks for that.

Rick won the Australian Super Middleweight & Light Heavy titles. he captured the IBO title and won regional titles.
He should have done a lot better against Joe Calzaghe and Sven Ottke. He is another example of an Australian fighter who wastes time fighting tomato cans and when he steps up, can't handle the heat.
He had many years in the sport and should have at least beaten a top 10 fighter. He really has little to hang his hat on after almost two decades in the sport.

 

Are you saying that he had the potential to beat joe or Ottke, yet wasted it on beating up Aussie fighters?

 

Mate Paul Millers fight didn't fall threw. It has been rescheduled for early may in NZ. Paul is in a boxing series called "KO World Series" which sees him boxing in 3-4 countries in 4 rounders and if he makes in to the final he boxes a 8 rounder to be the KO World series supermiddle champ. From there they can go on to regional etc. Great concept for up and coming boxers. Kick boxing has been doing this for a while. Paul Miller is a sound well schooled boxer who has had NO luck and i hope this changes for him because he is a gentlemen who has represented Australia with pride and dignity.
Dino Billinghurst

 

what about craig peterson...he apparently had a world of talent...

 

Not wasted it on Aussie fighters, but wasted it by not preparing himself for the big fights.

 

Of course you'd be aware that somewhat like Anthony, Rick was a rugby league player before boxing? He injured his shoulder and decided to give boxing a go.

I suppose if you don't consider being able to tell your grandkids that you won the Australian title at 168 and 175lbs, fought in England for the Commonwealth title, fought possibly the greatest fighter Britain has produced in the modern era, and fighting in Germany against an undefeated champion as "nothing to hang your hat on", you're correct. I guess we have different views.

I'm even more interested to find out how you think he should have brought out better opposition....with what money? Pretty sure the Gatton Shire Hall holds about 500 people.



How would you suggest he prepared better then?

 

First of all, may i ask, are you noel thornberry?

secondly, his performances in all three fights in europe were below expectation. i think this was due to the fact he didn't prepare himself for the big fights. if the good fighters wont come to gatton, then Rick should have gone to them. he should have taken a fight in America or Canada to prepare for the big fights. he was managed poorly and this is why i think he is an underachiever.

 

Firstly, no I'm not.

Below expectation? In what way? He was stopped on a cut from memory against Wharton, won rounds against Calzaghe, and despite what the cards said, won a few rounds against Ottke.

Despite all of this, he also partipated in a Pay-per-view card (and probably one of the biggest fights Qld has ever held).

Your definition of managed poorly is an odd one.

 

he was managed poorly because his manager didn't prepare him for world title fights. he went from the Calzaghe fight to fight Jason Rarere and Norm Graham. a huge step backwards if you say he won rounds against Calzaghe. to reach his potential, he should have looked for big fights after fighting Calzaghe. he prepared himself poorly for Ottke, this is why i say he is an underachiever.

 

His manager managed to get him two shots at a world title despite Ricky not being an upper echelon super-middleweight. As I said, the bloke fought out of Gatton, hardly a boxing mecca.

He managed to get himself three brilliant paydays against 2 world champions and against Choc. If that's not the definition of being well managed, well I don't know what is. This is professional boxing. Why would he risk losing against someone of a slightly lower calibre for a lot less money? Fighters make sweet **** all 9 times out of 10 when fighting other contenders.

I think you need to consult your dictionary as to what underachieving is. By putting up 2 gallant efforts in world title fights, Ricky fulfilled his potential. As already stated, he's a former 2 division Australian champion. Not bad for an ex country footballer.