Most "promising" fighter who never really blossomed?

[miron_lang]

Zab Judah - He's 2 Division champion but he was expected to accomplished something similar to Floyd 's

Gerry Cooney, Calvin Brock, Jermain Taylor, Jeff Lacy, Rey Bautista

[Violent Demise]

I don't think I ever seen somebody explode onto the scene and than quickly crash and burn like Marvin Sonsona. He's still young enough where he can maybe one day do something. He has the talent. But I don't see the heart to match it.

Another fighter who had talent to be champion was Tokunbo Olajide (Michael's younger brother). Problem for him boxing was just a side project for him. He was good at it. But didn't love it. It was easy for him to walk away from it. And he did

[generalbulldog]

I don't think I ever seen somebody explode onto the scene and than quickly crash and burn like Marvin Sonsona. He's still young enough where he can maybe one day do something. He has the talent. But I don't see the heart to match it.

Another fighter who had talent to be champion was Tokunbo Olajide (Michael's younger brother). Problem for him boxing was just a side project for him. He was good at it. But didn't love it. It was easy for him to walk away from it. And he did

A lot of people thought Sonsona could have been something. He's way too young at 20 to say he's washed up but like you said the kid's heart isn't in the game. You can have all the necessary tools to be a good or great fighter but if you ain't got no heart then it's just wasted potential. What a pity I say.

[Otley]

Okay here is my list

Oba Carr - just didn't reach the final fence
Fernando Vargas - long evity
Dingaan Thobela - could have been better....but lacked discipline

Job Biscuit (But still very good fighters)!!!

eh eh!!!

[Spicoli]

Good call. Was thinking Carr, just never turned the page on career....always thought Danny Romero had 'it' at first and would reach huge heights. Mark Johnson was one of the most talented and quickest flyweight boxers to come around but slugging, lifestyle etc etc got the better of him. Yeh he reached Champion, but I think he had 'great' in him longterm.

[JazMerkin]

Really anyone who has won a world title, even an alphabet, has blossomed. Some might not live up to expectations, but if they've done enough to be a world titlist then they've 'made it' imo. Certainly someone who's been a multi-division or lineal champ like Zab Judah should not be getting mentioned.

Bojado, Joel Julio & Oba Carr are good choices already mentioned (& doesn't Victor Ortiz look like a guy on the way to that?).

One not mentioned who should be is Errol Christie. He almost sums up this topic. He was arguably one of the best amateurs in UK history, although he went pro at 19 rather than waiting another 2 years for the 84 Olympics. He looked to have it all, Manny Steward had him at the Kronk & has said he had the potential to be great. Then he gets iced in a round by an unknown Belgian & in what was really the death knell on his career gets beaten up by Mark Kaylor in what was effectively the UK's Holmes-Cooney. After that his career just petered out & he ended up losing to the kind of guys he really shouldn't of.

[brocktonblockbust]

COURAGE TSCHABALALA.........was supposed to be scarier than Tyson.......(he actually WAS for about 3 or 4 fights, then..........) exposed by Darryl "Doin Damage" Wilson.

[:::PSL:::]

I really had high hope for Z Gorres and Bernabe Concepcion.

I'm not giving up on Bautista and Banal just yet. They are B minus level fighters, but I really believe they will be Paper Champs someday.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

So are Michael Nunn & Chris Byrd related or what

[Mar]

Zab judah.....best two or three round fighter there ever was.