Boxers With World Class Talent That Couldn't Keep It Together

Jermain Taylor comes to mind for me. Jermain was 27 when he defeated Hopkins and captured the Middleweight championship. Hopkins was on top of the world back then, he hadn't lost since 1993 to Roy Jones, 12 year reign. When Jermain dethroned Hopkins I thought he had lots of talent and imo was on his way to ruling the middleweight division for quite some time. That is until he met with Pavlik, and I feel like his whole world got turned upside down. In that first fight he was beating Pavlik even dropped him early on. However, after getting knocked out, he didn't seem like the same fighter, I also thought he should've beat Froch and Abraham, Jermain definitely had superior skill. After that he took a hiatus, fought sporadically, and now shot his cousin, pulled his gun out at a parade, and apparently beat up someone up. His defense is mental problems, I think a prime example of a person who couldn't keep it together in and out of the ring. Andrew Golota also gets an honorable mention.

Comments (20)

ELHURACAN58

When I think of great fighters that could have been legendary, I think Vinny Pazienza.

10y ago

RichCCFC

Clottey def high up, technically he is brilliant.

10y ago

Enayze

I think Tyson would top the list, because not only did he have serious mental issues, he also compounded his problems by dealing with crazy gold-digging psychopathic women. Mike Tyson still accomplished a lot, lets just say a lot more than the overwhelming amount of heavyweights could dream of. Youngest champion of all time, multiple champion, and garnered a reputation for himself as one of the most feared fighters of all time. Guys like Jermain Taylor, Andrew Golota, Ike Ibeabuchi, they will fade in memory and their potential forgotten, because they weren't tough enough mentally.

10y ago

RED_REP

what are you talking about mccall was only crying because he was afraid of what he was about to do to lewis Haha he broke down because he knew what Lewis was about to do to him!

10y ago

SplitSecond

Fighters that couldn't keep their ego's in check and nearly/have derailed their careers: Andre Ward and Mickey Garcia.

10y ago

CANELOLUJAH

joan guzman

10y ago

JJRod

Francisco Panchito Bojado. There was so much upside to this kid. A mexican fighter with a legit amateur career. So much promise, yet so much disappointment. He's in the HOF of wasted potential.

10y ago

b00g13man

Clottey, you can see it when he lets his hands go but mentally he's weak. Unlike Victor Ortiz, luckily for Clottey he can simply go back into his shell when things don't go his way. Ugh!!! It was so frustrating watching him. He definitely puts punches together well when he does let em go.

10y ago

arraamis

https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/mike-tyson-quote-on-masturbation-motivational.jpg I think Tyson would top the list, because not only did he have serious mental issues, he also compounded his problems by dealing with crazy gold-digging psychopathic women.

10y ago

respectthebrush

Zab Judah has to be on that list somewhere.

10y ago

pacmanis1

I don't know if I would say he couldn't keep it together, but Gamboa surely isn't where I thought he'd be a few years ago.

10y ago

AddiX

If outside the ring problems count, than Edwin Valero is #1. He was on his way to stardom. Complete maniac outside the ring though.

10y ago

Enayze

Ike Ibeabuchi, that guy had the physique and and power to be a world contender for sure. He went toe to toe with Tua and came out on top, but a definite mental case.

10y ago

Motofan

Mike Tyson could of been atg but he really couldn't keep himself together. https://twistedsifter.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/mike-tyson-quote-on-masturbation-motivational.jpg

10y ago

TheRebelSin

Mike Tyson could of been atg but he really couldn't keep himself together.

10y ago

Motofan

what are you talking about mccall was only crying because he was afraid of what he was about to do to lewis Haha yeah, flashbacks of that first fight hitting him I'm sure. Poor Lewis has a family ya know? Oliver couldn't in all good conscience do that to Lewis twice.

10y ago

VERSION1_V1

Oliver Mccall? what are you talking about mccall was only crying because he was afraid of what he was about to do to lewis

10y ago

Motofan

Oliver Mccall?

10y ago

Doctor_Tenma4618

Clottey, you can see it when he lets his hands go but mentally he's weak. Unlike Victor Ortiz, luckily for Clottey he can simply go back into his shell when things don't go his way.

10y ago

Mike_R

Adrien Broner is definitely "on notice" for this type of thing. Taylor for sure, super sad. Kelly Pavlik too... Honestly this could be a ridiculous long list now that I think about it..

10y ago