Was just watching ESPN over at a buddies house, and they had a fight card from 2000. The headline was Angel Vasquez V Max Gomez.
I first saw Vasquez against Miguel Arrozal in 1996, and thought... man - this guy is exciting. He can punch, is a touch vulnerable, and therefore is exciting to watch. He then fought & KO'd Darryl Pinckney with one punch. I was really hoping for big things from him, and was sure he'd get to a high level. He never made it, though.
Who did you like to watch & hope they'd make it, but didn't?
Phillip Ndou.... such a shame, after seeing his fight with mayweather. Retired the fight after due to brain damage... he would've been amazing. All the fights he won except 1 through knockout.
I can throw in a vote for Bojado, too.
What about McCline? Here's a guy who looked like he had every tool in the box, but he lacked the desire to win. I think in his case, maybe he was just too nice, lacked killer instinct.
I wanted Francisco Bojado to make it, that kid had it all except for some self-belief, and determination. I think if would have had his head on straight he could have been game against Cotto.
I also wanted Pollo Valenzuela to make it that guy was cool.
i always liked D. Guinn, but i still don't think he's done, He did good against Toney, If he put up that much effort with any other HW he could be a contender again.
andrew golota, vassiliy jirov, ray mercer, vitali klitschko, ike ibeabuchi.
great choices. I actually enjoyed seeing Golota, Jirov, and Klitschko fail, however :rolleyes:
i did think of saying david tua, but tua still has a chance to make it. as small as i think it may be, its still a chance.
Heavyweight division isnt upto much at the moment,i dont think he will do it but if he can get fit he may have the chance to win a version of the title,but he will never be the top man
Meldrick Taylor never made it in the sense that he was robbed of his glory and never stood a chance after meeting Chavez in that first fight. He was one of the most impressive fighters I've ever seen and was a personal favorite of mine. He would have ruled that 140 pound division for awhile if not for Chavez.
Emmanuel Augustus
Andrew Lewis tall lanky boxer/puncher who had skills and operated well out of the southpaw stance. Too bad he ran into Mayorga and Tony Margarito (who he was actually giving all kinds of problems to before he was stopped). He just didn't have the frame or the beard to compete on the highest level.
Yeah I agree that you really can't use guys like Tito, Arturo, or Vitali as examples because of how far they did get. THe Tito one is especially confusing. Anyways, I would give Ouma one more big shot before you throw in the towel on him. Same with Vivian harris although you gotta be more skeptical on him
Some people have mentioned Gatti & Sharmba....
I don't think those two really are what the thread's author was looking for...
Both won championships, & headlined on big-time cable networks.
Gatti is a multi-millionaire & a folk hero.
Maybe they did not go as far as you guys thought they would....but "failures" ? No, certainly not like Angel Vasquez, who shoulda made it to somewhere besides ESPN.