Champions who didn't reach their potential

[brownpimp88]

I dont think dwight muhammed qawi reached his full potential. I also think he was robbed a couple of times, i thought he won the fight against ocasio and that guy in 1989.

[AJ53]

i gotta totally agree with you about taylor!
another to add into the mix has to be salvador sanchez altough he died young he was already an established great fighter.
but did he ever reach his peak?
was he a star that shined brightly only to fade out quickly?
or was he possibly the greatest fighter ever to grace the ring?
nobody will truly ever know, not even sanchez himself.
but due to the fact that he never wasted his talent like alot of others mentioned before, either because of lack of mental toughness, motivation or just general lack of heart.
either way whenever i think of a champion/fighter who never reached there potential, salvador sanchez is always top of the list with honours!!

just watched another sanchez fight!!!
and i tell you this just could well have been the g.o.a.t.!!!!

[Emon723]

mark breland, david reid,

[Brassangel]

Originally posted by K-DOGG
1. Mike Tyson
2. Rid**** Bowe
3. James "Buster" Douglas....he had the skills, the "want-to" was lacking.
4. Donald Curry
5. Ray Leonard....damn retina trouble
6. Zack Padilla...don't know why he retired when he did...he coulda beat Chavez, or at least gave him merry hell.
7. Roy Jones Jr.....shoulda fought tougher opponents to prove he was as good as he was.
8. Greg Page
9. Tim Witherspoon...should have him at # 2 or 3, really.
10. Charles Murray....always thought he was better than he showed.

I think that this is a nearly perfect list. The top three alone, combined with successful champions Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield could have made for a Platinum Era in heavyweight boxing.

[Kid Achilles]

I don't think many champions really reach their potential. I think the majority of them don't, when you factor in poor management (fed to the wolves too early, overly protecting), poor training habits, poor luck, starting too late, etc. etc.

It's a matter of how close to their potential they arrived at finally. Has anyone really ever reached 100% of his potential? Not so sure.

[Jim_Davis]

If Ali had fought in his prime years and lost 1 or 2 fights he wouldnt be held in such high regard. The reason hes so "legendary" is cos he never fought in those prime years. Therefore, this thread is just speculation.

I hate to sound like a fan boy but Prince Naseem was on the way to being the best featherweight of all time. Now hes just "a good British champ".

Mike Tyson could have been alot better.


Tommy Morrison

Audley Harrison (if only he was discovered earlier) lol

[brownpimp88]

If Ali had fought in his prime years and lost 1 or 2 fights he wouldnt be held in such high regard. The reason hes so "legendary" is cos he never fought in those prime years. Therefore, this thread is just speculation.

I hate to sound like a fan boy but Prince Naseem was on the way to being the best featherweight of all time. Now hes just "a good British champ".

Mike Tyson could have been alot better.


Tommy Morrison

Audley Harrison (if only he was discovered earlier) lol

Do u really think naz was gonna surpass pep, saddler, arguello, nelson and sanchez? I mean they went out there and fought the best, he just fought mandatories.

[BrooklynBomber]

Vitaly Klitschko

[titoi]

[Brassangel]

I would also include Bald Bull. He had a confusing jab, and good power which included a tremendously explosive uppercut. He never worked on his abs, however, and was frequently knocked out by a man half his size.