Thread: Untapped potential

Who here has a list of fighters you think would have went farther if given the right circumstances or characteristical attributes.

ill start for an example

Zab Judah- If he was more disciplined outside of the ring and worked harder i think he would've been one of the greatest of our generation

same goes for Mike Tyson-been a top 5 p4p legend if he just didn't slip up.

Amir Khan-I think if he had a coach that can teach him to slip punches at close and far range(kinda like taylor in his prime, and as floyd does, that mm slip of straighs) And box on the outside using his jab and speed to counter shots he would've been a champ for much longer and imo wouldve cleaned out 140.

James Toney if he could lay off the cheese burgers

Jose luis lopez

Michael Grant if he had a chin

Fernando Vargas was the most talented up and coming fighter I have ever seen and was probably pushed too far and too fast too early.

Originally Posted by Master

Fernando Vargas was the most talented up and coming fighter I have ever seen and was probably pushed too far and too fast too early.

reminds me a little of what just happened to canelo

Originally Posted by Boxer4life

Originally Posted by Master

Fernando Vargas was the most talented up and coming fighter I have ever seen and was probably pushed too far and too fast too early.

reminds me a little of what just happened to canelo

Fernado also fell in love with his power and stopped boxing as much.

Vernon Forest, he got 2 signature wins over Shane Mosley but once the shoulder injury took his power he was done for. Paul Williams, sadly due to his motorcycle accident he didn't achieve his entire potential which could have been great (though due to the Martinez KO I think he was getting close to his plateau).

You could make this JUST about heavyweights and have a never ending list be it from their injuries, early losses, prison, inactivity, poor match making, psychological instability, drug use: Ike Ibeabuchi, Michael Grant, Andrew Golota, Joe Mesi, Sam Peter, Cris Arreola, Lamon Brewster.....


How good would Lamon Brewster have been had he never injured his knee? He was a hell of a fighter! He probably could have had a better trainer but he really was a solid fighter.

Recently in the heavyweight division, I would argue Odlanier Solis. He was a terrific amateur, and hasn't achieved much as a professional.

Originally Posted by Master

Fernando Vargas was the most talented up and coming fighter I have ever seen and was probably pushed too far and too fast too early.

Never brought into him personally. Hyped too much even before the disappointing Olympics...

Originally Posted by Master

Fernando Vargas was the most talented up and coming fighter I have ever seen and was probably pushed too far and too fast too early.

Vargas was pushed just right. He wasn't rushed. His career pretty much ended when he hurt his back. He was never the same

I'll also add Joe Calzaghe to the list because after he beat Eubank for the title which was a fantastic win for such a young fighter he was never really showcased or pushed into superfights until 9-10 years later.

which was a waste of years for such a talented fighter IMHO

Originally Posted by Saddo

I'll also add Joe Calzaghe to the list because after he beat Eubank for the title which was a fantastic win for such a young fighter he was never really showcased or pushed into superfights until 9-10 years later.

which was a waste of years for such a talented fighter IMHO

YES! Fight RJJ, Toney, Hopkins during prime years! Calzaghe would have really improved his standing outside of England (hard to believe but true) had he done that win or lose (as long as he was competitive)

Audley Harrison

Originally Posted by Fettled_Man

Audley Harrison

Saw through him from the start.

I remember doing a post on here in 2002/03 'recapping the future' of Audley's career. I had him retiring after winning his world (WBF) crown by decisioning Matt Ellis...

Francisco Bojado if he'd have not been soooo rushed... it totally spoilt his potential