Laszlo Papp and Teófilo Stevenson also might have been wasted talents. Stevenson for never turning professional and Papp had his career prematurely ended by a then-communist Hungary.
All I got for now.
3 Time Gold Medalists.
Not counting premature deaths such as Stanley Ketchel getting shot at age 24, Salvador Sanchez, etc, my #1 vote goes to Tony Ayala. Ike Ibeabuchi is up there also.
Roy Jones a waste of talent? Are you kidding me? Have you seen him actually fight? Probably top 10 ever. What other boxer has gone 9-10 years and 50 fights without even LOSING A ROUND!
Tony Ayala Jr. Was a real beast in the ring in the early 80's. But was a sorry ass criminal outside of it. When he was finally released from prison he tried to make a comeback but it was already too late.
All good suggestions, I believe.
A couple that come to mind might be Roy Jones and Naseem Hamed. I know that both accomplished quite a bit, I think they rested on their stats a bit.
Hamed simply never came back and didn't do enough after his first loss. Considering his power, he was always going to be in fights. I don't see why he didn't make the effort at the very least. Didn't train properly and hone his craft near the end.
Jones had all the tools. He just didn't fight all the fighters he could have. Calzaghe in his prime. Darius. Ottke. (God, I wish he knocked him out.)
Nonetheless, they both did so much. So, I'll give some other suggestions. They certainly aren't the biggest.
Ike Ibeabuchi. Whether or not he tried to rape that woman, he did have his talents waste away. Byrd and Tua both had a chance to get something done AFTER he beat them. Quality fighter.
Darren Sutherland comes to mind, as well. I liked that kid a lot. He had a professional style and he still did well in the amateurs. The only guy that even DeGale spoke about in a humble manner.
Salvador Sanchez was talent wasted, even though it was an accident. Still, he was great while he lasted.
Fernando Vargas, in a sense. With all that he did, he might have been able to do so much more if he had paced himself and let himself mature. Cutting out the Burger King trips might have helped.
Laszlo Papp and Teófilo Stevenson also might have been wasted talents. Stevenson for never turning professional and Papp had his career prematurely ended by a then-communist Hungary.
All I got for now.
Im with you on darren sutherland,seen that guy outclass de gale in the amateurs and looked to have everything ahead of him....you just dont know whats goin through peoples minds sad
Im with ya on dar
Valero but i dont think with all the rehabilitation in the world would ever be right in the head sadly an accident waiting to happen.Guzman so much ****ing talent and yet no dedication
i don't think guzman was all that talented. he was skilled but he didn't have enough of the total package (I.E. power) to say he's the most disappointing fighter ever.
supah zab on the other hand..........
good call... unfortunately, even having agapito sanchez, jorge barrios and humberto soto on one's resume may not be enuf to propel him to mainstream recognition...
what a waste...
Its not about recognition he is just inactive and lazy
Joan Guzman is EVERY BIT AS TALENTED as Floyd Mayweather yet is one tenth of the fighter
good call... unfortunately, even having agapito sanchez, jorge barrios and humberto soto on one's resume may not be enuf to propel him to mainstream recognition...
what a waste...
There are loads i think. Bowe, hamed, valero
Also that guy who fought trinidad. David Reid? Jumped in to quick and got battered
Zab judah, awesome skills but never trained or had the hunger for it.
I think francisco Bojado should be mentioned. Awesome amater career. could not focus at the level needed to be pro.
Oh yeah. odlanier solis. he he would have fought at around 225-230 he would have beaten vitali IMO
Chris Arreola
Andre Dirrell
Devon Alexander
All 3 should be world champions by now (Arreola as a cruiser or Light Heavy) but all 3 are mental midgets who sell themselves short.
I won't even give Joan Guzman the benefit of saying he is talented enough to waste it. He is just a waste, period.
James Toney is a 3 division world champion, one time P4P best fighter in the world, participated in a Fight of the Year and is a lock for the Hall of Fame. How is that a waste of talent. He accomplished alot, just not as much as he got older and heavier.