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.

[Spicoli]

Micky Ward-two careers, Jeff Harding, Keith Mullings, Cruz Carbajal, Steve Littles, Baldo ?

[BIG H]

Steve Collins achieved a helluva lot in comparison to his natural boxing talent

[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.

[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.

[El Kabong]

Great idea for a thread! However I agree with very little of who you've listed: Wlad, Rocky, Holyfield, etc. Say what you will about Wlad he's technically superior to everyone he's set foot in the ring with, Rocky was skilled with his style or else he would have lost to Walcott or Charles if he was poor in skill, Holyfield was ALWAYS skilled technically.

When I think "Over achiever" in boxing I think of someone who lacks skills like speed, power, defense, technique, etc. Someone who wins fights they should have no reason winning.

My examples: James 'Buster' Douglas, Oliver McCall, Randy 'Tex' Cobb, Michael Bentt, Brian Vera, Mickey Ward, Danny Williams, Arturo Gatti, Carlos Baldomir...none of them were great with technical ability or anything but they had major wins and not due to them having any positive boxing abilities, just pure tenacity and will got them their wins vs certain competition.

The main over achiever in boxing history that has been overlooked is Joe Frazier. No defense at all, he was a 1 punch, 1 armed fighter, and he was a GREAT, GREAT fighter....Joe was no boxer he was a FIGHTER.

[El Kabong]

If you did an "underachievers" thread it would be 90 pages long!

[Spicoli]

Good call on McCall. Granite head and a good righthand goes along way.

[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?