Ron Lyle = Underachiever

[Johnny heard]

So close to beating foreman and Ali, things could of been so different for Lyle as he proved in both them fights that he was on that level of greatness, also a fight with ken Norton who was tailor made for big punching Lyle or joe Frazier fight was unlucky not to be made he knocks both men out

[klompton]

He started late.

[tyger]

Lyle was super tough. I would favor a prime Frazier and Norton over him but we never know.

[Johnny heard]

He started late.

Starting late had nothing to do with it!! So starting up earlier could of gave him better stamina to beat ali? Or better chin and bigger punch to beat foreman? Could starting earlier of helped get him norton and Frazier fights? Don't be ******, he was just very unlucky and was inches away from greatness

[Scott9945]

Starting late had nothing to do with it!! So starting up earlier could of gave him better stamina to beat ali? Or better chin and bigger punch to beat foreman? Could starting earlier of helped get him norton and Frazier fights? Don't be ******, he was just very unlucky and was inches away from greatness

Starting late made all the difference. Lyle was gifted with tremendous strength and power. But he was stiff in the ring and not nearly as fluid as fighters who had been in the ring since they were kids. If he had started earlier, Lyle could have established a name that would get him Norton or Frazier (who was well past his prime when Lyle became a contender). And that being said, he was never "inches away from greatness". Get a grip on reality.

[joseph5620]

Starting late made all the difference. Lyle was gifted with tremendous strength and power. But he was stiff in the ring and not nearly as fluid as fighters who had been in the ring since they were kids. If he had started earlier, Lyle could have established a name that would get him Norton or Frazier (who was well past his prime when Lyle became a contender). [B]And that being said, he was never "inches away from greatness". Get a grip on reality.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Johnny heard]

Starting late made all the difference. Lyle was gifted with tremendous strength and power. But he was stiff in the ring and not nearly as fluid as fighters who had been in the ring since they were kids. If he had started earlier, Lyle could have established a name that would get him Norton or Frazier (who was well past his prime when Lyle became a contender). And that being said, he was never "inches away from greatness". Get a grip on reality.

If that wild shoot out with foreman had gone his way and he would of not been stopped late against Ali and won points that would not of been greatness? Of course it would of been, and he was stiff cause he had so much muscle, similar problem to frank Bruno it had nothing to do with starting late or earlier and both fights with Frazier and Norton could of been easily made if they would of been more pushed for by Ron's handlers and promoter and had more of a public out cry to see the fights

[Scott9945]

If that wild shoot out with foreman had gone his way and he would of not been stopped late against Ali and won points that would not of been greatness? Of course it would of been, and he was stiff cause he had so much muscle, similar problem to frank Bruno it had nothing to do with starting late or earlier and both fights with Frazier and Norton could of been easily made if they would of been more pushed for by Ron's handlers and promoter and had more of a public out cry to see the fights

If Vitali Klitschko didn't get cut against Lewis, if Pacquaio didn't get caught by that once in a lifetime punch by Marquez, etc. But he did and Lyle got stopped in both of those fights. Bruno was a more fluid fighter than Lyle, but his chin and stamina were lacking. Norton and (especially) Frazier were on an elite level by the time Lyle became a contender. A promoter can't force a "B side" opponent on anyone. The truth is that if Lyle had beaten Jerry Quarry in their 12 round eliminator, he would have been put on the fast track. But her was totally outclassed by a guy already beaten by Ali and Frazier, and just fell into a long list of contenders during a strong heavyweight era.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

Lyle and Ray mercer are very similar career wise

Never got that one big signature win,, and both got stuck in the deepest eras of heavy division... Other eras they would have been champs

[rightsideup]

I do agree Ron would have benefited from an earlier exposure to boxing. Experience can overcome a lot of natural gifts as long as that experience is not involve taking beatings that effect your physical tools.