What Fighters Do You Think Could've Been Amazing, But Fell Short?

This thread is full of EXCUSES and fighters who had limitations that were exposed once they reached the very top level. All I’m seeing is the word “IF”, “if this happened”, if that happened”. IF your truly great you will make it; the cream always rises to the top.

Good mention. Valero is the James Dean of Boxing. He could have become great. Smh Was couple of decent fights away to get in the mix with the big names if he they just sent him to a shrink and put his crazy violent ass on happy pills. His story is a tragic one.

Meldrick taylor if he had more ring generalship Chad Dawson- same thing Jermain taylor- same thing Vernon forest if he got his break sooner and didn’t battle injuries and an untimely death Mark breland if he was mentally tougher in fights and make infight adjustments Victor Ortiz if he had heart Paul Williams if he could have ever polished up his technique and used his height and reach instead of fighting like a 5’6 Mexican brawler James Toney if he had Hopkins/Floyd type dedication to training Kermit cintron if he wasn’t soft Andrew golata if he wasn’t crazy Riddick bowe- see james Toney This: James Toney if he had Hopkins/Floyd type dedication to training

I might get flamed, but Amir Khan. He never learned how to roll with punches, or how tovtransition from offense to defense and viceversa. And never learned how to smother opponents in clinch and fight oj inside. He was either 100% onthe offense, or fully in defense with his gloves/guard up. This made it easy for opponents to figure him put and time him. Completely Agree

Edwin Valero. Good mention. Valero is the James Dean of Boxing. He could have become great. Smh

Joan Guzman - So gifted and I honestly thought he would be a star but so unprofessional.

Cletus Seldin Seldin's power is the only thing he really has going for him. He has no defense, couldn't cut off the ring against Ulysse, and got his chin exposed. In my opinion, he was never very good, but to each their own.

Danny Williams could of had a slightly better career, he was a gifted fighter physically and technically! (Really tough aswell, but sometimes he had really strange training habits and philosophies! They may have been Jim Mcdonald's idea's to be fair! For example, Danny Williams during his fight up against Vitali Kiltschko came into the fight weighing 270 pounds! This was purposely planned as well ridiculous).... But in general I actually like Jim McDonald's training techniques, I liked the way he would blend old school training with certain activities such as strong man training! (I can remember seeing Danny Williams living cars, or pushing them etc)...

Andrew Dirrell. Kid had all kinds of talent yet always fought to the level of his opposition. I truly believe he had the skills to be in the finals with Ward in that super 6 Joshua Clottey also comes to mind. Guy seemed like he always did just enough to lose a close decision. Yuriorkis Gamboa. Guy had talent speed, and threw it all away. I wonder if he stays up at night wondering what could have been had he decided to stay with Bob instead going with 50cent.

Meldrick taylor if he had more ring generalship Chad Dawson- same thing Jermain taylor- same thing Vernon forest if he got his break sooner and didn’t battle injuries and an untimely death Mark breland if he was mentally tougher in fights and make infight adjustments Victor Ortiz if he had heart Paul Williams if he could have ever polished up his technique and used his height and reach instead of fighting like a 5’6 Mexican brawler James Toney if he had Hopkins/Floyd type dedication to training Kermit cintron if he wasn’t soft Andrew golata if he wasn’t crazy Riddick bowe- see james Toney Would like to add Amir khan if he had a chin

Meldrick taylor if he had more ring generalship Chad Dawson- same thing Jermain taylor- same thing Vernon forest if he got his break sooner and didn’t battle injuries and an untimely death Mark breland if he was mentally tougher in fights and make infight adjustments Victor Ortiz if he had heart Paul Williams if he could have ever polished up his technique and used his height and reach instead of fighting like a 5’6 Mexican brawler James Toney if he had Hopkins/Floyd type dedication to training Kermit cintron if he wasn’t soft Andrew golata if he wasn’t crazy Riddick bowe- see james Toney

Zab Judah had an amazing skillset but lacked heart. Only man to ACTUALLY knock Floyd Mayweather down. I came in this thread just to say what you said. Good looking out.

Andrew Golota. Basically, threw two fights against Bowe when it was going his way. Insane. No heart.

Salvador Sanchez Davey Moore

Riddick Bowe at his absolute best could've beaten any fighter from any era in history. He was that good. Tyson should be at GOAT level right now, but squandered it with drugs, alcohol, Robin Givens, prison, and mental illness Zab Judah should've been a HOF caliber talent, but wasted it. Ike Ibeabuchi would've been a nightmare for Lennox Lewis. His fight with Tua is one of my favorite heavyweight fights of all-times.

Prince Nassem Hamed. He had the power and crazy angles but his defense was deeply flawed. He should have paid attention to the basics in training.

DING DING DING I came in here to say this. Joan Guzman has got be one of the biggiest duds in the sport in recent times. Another one I see maybe not that talented but I see his grit, grind and determination being wasted by lack of a real trainer and thats cesear juarez, i htink he can be 100x better than he is right now if he just links up with a real trainer like robert garcia or soemthing Khabib Allakhverdiev--Your eastern Euro buddy ended his career. HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL?

Explain your pick, below. My Pick Adrien Broner: Didn't people hype this guy up as the next Floyd Mayweather? Dude won 3 world titles, just to get his career derailed by Maidana. No wonder Mayweather won't let Davis fight Loma. I think Broner received stardom before he really deserved it. Not only that, but I think his antics outside of the ring really did a number on him. I couldn't count how many times I've seen or heard, "If Broner took boxing seriously..." Dude is past his prime, at 28. He's pretty much a gatekeeper, after his performance against Mikey Garcia. Honestly, I don't think he'd be that great, even if he did start taking boxing seriously. This board believes. Any black boxer that for what ever reason didn't have a decent career had "tremendous potential" just couldn't stay focused. The best example is Broner. I want to know why so many people thought this guy was "really talented" when did he ever show this???? Another example is gary russel. He was a pfp god before lomachenko was done with him. Now he's literally a chum scrubber that no one talks about in the sport. Where was all this potential in the lomachenko fight

I'm going way back with Meldrick Taylor. He was probably the fastest fighter I've seen. The punishment he took from Chavez Sr more than likely ended him. It's a shame he wasn't allowed to finish the first fight with Chavez. He would've undoubtedly won because he was far ahead. Maybe career would've ended up different without that loss but the punishment he took did all the damage.

Riddick Bowe- he had the size and skills to be an all time great, he just didn't have the will. This mfer was silky smooth when he was motivated and in shape. James Toney - He did some good things but he could have been so much more Ike Ibeabuchi - just crazy, not explanation needed I don't think.