The Never Was.

[Willie Pep 229]

The other thread, 'the fall from the top' (e.g. Roy Jones Jr.) got me thinking about the ones I thought (and others) showed great promise but then fizzled out without ever making a splash.

John Collins

Out of Chicago he fought in the early 80s. Has a very impressive string of KOs against limited competition.

Being pushed by the new cable networks, ESPN and USA, Etc. he appeared on TV several times.

But, although undefeated, his first step up in competition proved a disaster.

Manhandled by Tony Sibson, he was stopped in two rounds.

Went back to a short string of KOs, then tried stepping up again against Robbie Simis, and was stopped in one round.

End!

34-2-1 (30 KOs)

[GhostofDempsey]

Joe Miceli was a scrappy welterweight during the late 40s and 50s. Fought some big names but could never get over the top to a title. Considered one of the many gatekeepers of that era.

[JAB5239]

Fast Eddie Hopson was on USA and ESPN a lot in the early to mid 90's with what seemed like a lot of hype behind him. He looked like the goods a d I thought he's make it to the elite level at the time. He was stopped by Tracy Patterson in his only title shot and was stopped again 5 or 6 months later by a club fighter. I think he had a couple more fights after that and just disappeared.

[Bronson66]

The other thread, 'the fall from the top' (e.g. Roy Jones Jr.) got me thinking about the ones I thought (and others) showed great promise but then fizzled out without ever making a splash.

John Collins

Out of Chicago he fought in the early 80s. Has a very impressive string of KOs against limited competition.

Being pushed by the new cable networks, ESPN and USA, Etc. he appeared on TV several times.

But, although undefeated, his first step up in competition proved a disaster.

Manhandled by Tony Sibson, he was stopped in two rounds.

Went back to a short string of KOs, then tried stepping up again against Robbie Simis, and was stopped in one round.

End!

34-2-1 (30 KOs)

Ernie Terrell promoted Collins a bit.

[Bronson66]

The other thread, 'the fall from the top' (e.g. Roy Jones Jr.) got me thinking about the ones I thought (and others) showed great promise but then fizzled out without ever making a splash.

John Collins

Out of Chicago he fought in the early 80s. Has a very impressive string of KOs against limited competition.

Being pushed by the new cable networks, ESPN and USA, Etc. he appeared on TV several times.

But, although undefeated, his first step up in competition proved a disaster.

Manhandled by Tony Sibson, he was stopped in two rounds.

Went back to a short string of KOs, then tried stepping up again against Robbie Simis, and was stopped in one round.

End!

34-2-1 (30 KOs)

Donovan Boucher .

[Kid Cauliflower]

Howard Davis was one of the fastest boxers I ever saw. Amateur record 125--5. He won an Olympic gold medal, big things were expected of him as a pro. He was a semi-flop though, with a pro record of 36--6--1. He was lacking something--maybe a punch--or chin, I really don't know. He never won a title or did big things.

He made a successful life for himself anyway but died in 2015 of lung cancer.

[IronDanHamza]

Howard Davis was one of the fastest boxers I ever saw. Amateur record 125--5. He won an Olympic gold medal, big things were expected of him as a pro. He was a semi-flop though, with a pro record of 36--6--1. He was lacking something--maybe a punch--or chin, I really don't know. He never won a title or did big things.

He made a successful life for himself anyway but died in 2015 of lung cancer.

Wow, what a great example.

Howard Davis, wow, I am totally stunned shocked that you know who that is

[billeau2]

Many upon many fighters... I dare say one could present a fairly cogent argument that a majority of professional fighters had this characteristic. Did anyone ever enter professional prize fighting with the attitude: 'I know I am but a journeyman, and might even be a decent gate keeper if I train like a beast." I think the olympics is perhaps a different story. Many fighters probably did the thing out of loyalty.

I think everyone comes in a star and the process of subtraction starts. It is a fascinating process.

[Willie Pep 229]

Howard Davis was one of the fastest boxers I ever saw. Amateur record 125--5. He won an Olympic gold medal, big things were expected of him as a pro. He was a semi-flop though, with a pro record of 36--6--1. He was lacking something--maybe a punch--or chin, I really don't know. He never won a title or did big things.

He made a successful life for himself anyway but died in 2015 of lung cancer.

Howard Davis was the only fighter (of the five golds) from the class of '76 that didn't win a title.

His chin was OK but he seriously lacked power. Got off the floor against Rosario late in the fight. That says something. El Chapo hit hard.

He had two shots at the title and came up short by decision both times. Watts and Rosario.

Won almost all of his other fights. Lost to Camacho in a non-title fight; drew with Meldrick Taylor; and was only stopped once (in what should have been his last fight,) by Buddy McGirt. ***

His hands were lighting fast and he won his five Olympic fights with two stoppages and three 5-0 shutouts. I am not certain, but I don't think he lost a single round.

He was the 'darling' of the Olympics, getting more TV attention than even Leonard.

In fact, those O Games may be the only time Sugar Ray Leonard WASN'T the most popular fighter in the room. ***

Davis was dominating his opponents and the announcers loved him, while it was the Brothers Spinks who stole the nation's heart.

One could say that Davis is a perfect example of a fighter who couldn't make the adjustment to the professional game. His dominant amateur boxing style just didn't translate to prize fighting.

** He retired after the McGirt fight, than foolishly tried to come back eight years later as a MW and did as poorly as one might expect, losing a third try at some title called the WBU. He suffered his second KO when stopped in two rounds.

*** SRL won all his fights by shutout as well, but no stoppages.

[Bronson66]

Howard Davis was the only fighter (of the five golds) from the class of '76 that didn't win a title.

His chin was OK but he seriously lacked power. Got off the floor against Rosario late in the fight. That says something. El Chapo hit hard.

He had two shots at the title and came up short by decision both times. Watts and Rosario.

Won almost all of his other fights. Lost to Camacho in a non-title fight; drew with Meldrick Taylor; and was only stopped once (in what should have been his last fight,) by Buddy McGirt. ***

His hands were lighting fast and he won his five Olympic fights with two stoppages and three 5-0 shutouts. I am not certain, but I don't think he lost a single round.

He was the 'darling' of the Olympics, getting more TV attention than even Leonard.

In fact, those O Games may be the only time Sugar Ray Leonard WASN'T the most popular fighter in the room. ***

Davis was dominating his opponents and the announcers loved him, while it was the Brothers Spinks who stole the nation's heart.

One could say that Davis is a perfect example of a fighter who couldn't make the adjustment to the professional game. His dominant amateur boxing style just didn't translate to prize fighting.

** He retired after the McGirt fight, than foolishly tried to come back eight years later as a MW and did as poorly as one might expect, losing a third try at some title called the WBU. He suffered his second KO when stopped in two rounds.

*** SRL won all his fights by shutout as well, but no stoppages.

He didn't seem to commit himself to his punches his jab would just about make contact,it was like he was fearful of the incoming .
His trainer Jimmy Glenn told me money ruined him.