Overachievers in boxing

[generalbulldog]

We've had a few underachievers thread so how about an overachiever one?

1. James J. Braddock-AKA the Cinderella man managed to win the HW title from Max Baer as a big underdog during the depression.

2. Rocky Marciano-Not only having really limited skill set but also was really short and undersized even in his era. Managed to be HW champ and undefeated.

3. David Reid-Having one messed up eye ever since he turned pro, still managed to win a alphabet title and make boat loads of money especially in his cash out fight with Trinidad.

4. Ricky Hatton-Really average skillset managed to beat Kostya Tszyu, land in the top 10 p4p list and make boat loads of money from his countrymen, estimated at 50 million pounds.

5. John Ruiz-Really bad skill set managed to make boats load of money and got to call himself HW "champ."

6. Wlad Klitschko-A really crappy china chin, managed to rule the division for years. This would have been unthinkable that a lineal HW champ can rule this long with such a bad chin. Probably the 1st time in HW history and making a lot of money.

7. Carlos Baldomir-Being a lineal Champ at 1 division and getting a million dollar pay day against Floyd despite being really limited in skills.

Anyone care to add?

[Master]

Audley Harrison from a come from behind one Punch KO to getting a title shot from his limited past it Olympic gold medal.

[Hulk]

Alfonso Gomez comes to mind. He beat Gatti, got a fight with Cotto, made some good paydays.

Certainly George Foreman in his comeback was quite an overachiever, winning the Heavyweight Title at age 45.

Roberto Duran achieved a tremendous amount late into his career.

Glen Johnson must be added to the list with 12 losses and he's 42 years old and the dark horse in the Super Middle tournament.

[X]

Nikolai Valuev (and his previous incarnation as Primo Carnera)

[CFH]

Timothy Bradley was the first name that sprung to mind. He's not a great boxer, he has little power, and his defense is average. Yet he's managed to beat everyone they put in front of him, including some very good fighters, and it arguable the best fighter in a deep division and a fixture on the P4P list.

Like Froch, he's the type of guy who's psychological make-up and determination makes up for any deficiency in skill they have.

[Master]

Gavin Rees to even win a world title was unbelievably good fortune.

[TitoFan]

Alfonso Gomez comes to mind. He beat Gatti, got a fight with Cotto, made some good paydays.

Certainly George Foreman in his comeback was quite an overachiever, winning the Heavyweight Title at age 45.

Roberto Duran achieved a tremendous amount late into his career.

Glen Johnson must be added to the list with 12 losses and he's 42 years old and the dark horse in the Super Middle tournament.

To me, "overachiever" is a guy who goes far in his career despite having limited talents. IMO, Duran does NOT even come close to fitting that category. Glen Johnson, however, is the poster boy of overachievers.

[Spicoli]

What about a Iran Barkley?

[TitoFan]

What about a Iran Barkley?

He's a good example too. Also, I think John John Molina was an overachiever. He gave De La Hoya a good fight despite not being anywhere near him in talent.

[Fenster]

Some weird picks in this thread. Olympic gold medal winners that went on to be world champion? Undisputed champs? All-time greats?

This small crop of fighters that reach the pinnacle can seriously be classed as overachievers? Isn't just that they were brilliant fighters?

[Rantcatrat]

Having Wlad, Rocky Marciano, and Ricky Hatton on the thread doesn't make sense to me or maybe I don't really understand the thread.

[Dark Lord Al]

Steve Robinson , a club fighter who won the warren boxing title , earned good money from being a hard working fighter , so far from world class its scary.

[brocktonblockbust]

"Son, forget about boxing, youre not cut out for it. You have 2 left feet, youre slow as molasses, youre awkward and uncoordinated, and you have no jab and no technique. Plus youre bald."

---a boxing trainer and expert after seeing Rocky Marciano in a gym try-out.

[Hulk]

Alfonso Gomez comes to mind. He beat Gatti, got a fight with Cotto, made some good paydays.

Certainly George Foreman in his comeback was quite an overachiever, winning the Heavyweight Title at age 45.

Roberto Duran achieved a tremendous amount late into his career.

Glen Johnson must be added to the list with 12 losses and he's 42 years old and the dark horse in the Super Middle tournament.

To me, "overachiever" is a guy who goes far in his career despite having limited talents. IMO, Duran does NOT even come close to fitting that category. Glen Johnson, however, is the poster boy of overachievers.

I meant Duran late in his career, when he was in his 40's and still beat Castro, Paz and got robbed etc.

[0james0]

Depends how high they need to go to be classed as actually achieving something, but Irish taxi driver Martin Rogan didn't do bad seeing as he was still driving it while fighting.

KO'd an Olympic Gold and World Title contender.