Quote:
Originally Posted by SecondRoundKO
Man that's harsh and I can't make sense of a couple of them.
First off, Pinklon Thomas? How? Were there any expectations for Thomas? I mean he had only a handful of amatuer fights, rattled off a series wins at the beginning of his career and then KO'd Tillis then I think he went on to beat Witherspoon. Impressive yes, but Tillis wasn't up to the same par as the guys Thomas faced later on in Tyson, Holyfield and Bowe. I just didn't think anyone had such great expectations for Tillis. He was clearly a cut below those three.
Gerry Cooney just had a tough draw with Holmes. He was a straight ahead power puncher/brawler in a division where a pure boxer who mastered at keeping fighters like him at bay. Still, he lined up Lyle, Norton and Young and KO'd them all in sucession. I don't consider him a bust but I know I'm in the minority. I just don't think you can use losing to a great champion like Holmes as a way to put down the guy's entire career.
Camacho never won the mega fight that meant a lot but no way do I think he was a bust.
Mosley...I just can't figure that one out.
Thomas was meant to end the Holmes strangle hold on the divsion, after the impressive victory over Whitherspoon. Remember, his jab was considered
Listonesque by some; sure that statement looks silly now, but at the time many thought Thomas was the next big thing. Then came the drugs...
Cooney was the proverbial white hope, excellent punch, he was meant to take out Holmes, but mentally he lacked the tools, and never got over the Holmes fight.
Camacho was meant to take over from Leonard, he had the whole of the boxing world at his feet, then he crossed paths with Edwin Rosario's right hand...
Mosley was meant to be the heir apparent to RJJ. A flashy stylish fighter, with decent power, and the balls to fight and beat everyone that mattered. But Forrest destroyed that dream, and no matter what Mosley does from here, he will never quite live up to that initial hype.
Sure this all sounds very harsh, but this boxing, sometimes you need to be brutal. All the fighters listed were excellent, it was just they were meant to be future greats, in some people eyes. Maybe some went on to have very stellar careers, but none ever quite lived up to the hype thrust upon them at one stage in their careers, they bust, but, it was a mighty fine journey with some of them, before that happened.