Overachievers in boxing

**0james0** · 03-27-2011 08:40 PM

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.

**generalbulldog** · 03-28-2011 12:59 AM

Also have to add Evander Holyfield from 96-98 when everyone thought he was done after gassing out in the late rounds and being stopped by Bowe in their last fight. Went on to beat Tyson twice, beat moorer, etc.

**Jimanuel Boogustus** · 03-28-2011 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Also have to add Evander Holyfield from 96-98 when everyone thought he was done after gassing out in the late rounds and being stopped by Bowe in their last fight. Went on to beat Tyson twice, beat moorer, etc.

I absolutely agree with this.

I also think Muhammad Ali was one of the biggest overachievers in sports history. Now that's not a criticism at all but more of an indication of his ability to rise up to the occasion when he supposedly had no chance.

Oh and Rocky Balboa.

**paips4** · 03-28-2011 02:11 PM

Back a few yrs 70s early 80s , South African heavy Kallie Knoetze, limited skill but tremendous power in right hand used to turn fights around with one shot.

**0james0** · 03-28-2011 02:49 PM

I used to think (many still do) that Carl Froch had overachieved, getting by on will power alone.

However after actuallly boxing in his last fight, I've believed he actually does have skills

**generalbulldog** · 03-28-2011 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

Originally Posted by generalbulldog

Also have to add Evander Holyfield from 96-98 when everyone thought he was done after gassing out in the late rounds and being stopped by Bowe in their last fight. Went on to beat Tyson twice, beat moorer, etc.

I absolutely agree with this.

I also think Muhammad Ali was one of the biggest overachievers in sports history. Now that's not a criticism at all but more of an indication of his ability to rise up to the occasion when he supposedly had no chance.

Oh and Rocky Balboa.

Exactly. Holyfield while was skilled was considered to be a shot fighter after the 3rd Bowe fight. I'll call bullshit on anyone that believed Holyfield would beat Tyson and go on to have a few more good years when almost everyone said he was a washed up fighter at the end of 1995. If that isn't overachieving at that particular point of his career than what is?

Now Muhammad ALi is another great definition of overachiever. He was considered to be past his prime when about to fight Foreman, considered to be wash up after losing to Norton the 1st time, but he went and achieved alot, regaining the HW title the 2nd and 3rd time along with many famous wins.

A lot of people in this thread seems to think that overachiever only means someone like Gatti or Baldomir that isn't highly skilled but went on to achieve things in the sport. No, overachieving means accomplishing goals when no one thought it was possible anymore. Holyfield and Ali while highly skilled at their peak wasn't expected to achieved what they did later in their careers because they were considered washed up. Now that is overachieving.