Biggest Waste Of Potential/Talent EVER?

[Capaedia]

Max Baer...the man had every physical gift needed a great chin , a big punch and a massive frame...Only he did not have a dedicated mind.

Good choice, but what seems to be at least in part to blame for him not living up to his potential is the ring death of Frankie Campbell, he seemed to stop loading up on his punches after said fight. His son said Baer had nightmares about it.

If I recall correctly, he knocked Campbell's brain completely free of his skull. Now that's worrying power there.

Some people would have you believe he was responsible for another boxers death (Eric Schaf or something like that?), but I'm not convinced.

[StarshipTrooper]

Good choice, but what seems to be at least in part to blame for him not living up to his potential is the ring death of Frankie Campbell, he seemed to stop loading up on his punches after said fight. His son said Baer had nightmares about it.

If I recall correctly, he knocked Campbell's brain completely free of his skull. Now that's worrying power there.

Some people would have you believe he was responsible for another boxers death (Eric Schaf or something like that?), but I'm not convinced.

The punch Carnera hit Earnie Schaaf with.....well, lets just say you've probably been smacked harder by your Mom. Schaaf had taken a hell of a beating from Baer which probably had caused brain damage with the Carnera fight just being the thing that pushed him over the edge. It's similar to what happend to Gerald McClellan: McClellan had started showing problems BEFORE the Nigel Benn fight.....Clearly from damaged sustained in a previous bout. The Benn fight was simply the final straw.

Poet

[TheGreatA]

I believe it was Ernie Schaaf's illness that caused his death more than anything. He should not have been in the ring with Carnera but he could not afford to miss the payday.

[PunchesNbuncheS]

Hector Macho Camacho

[GoogleMe]

Floyd Mayweather Jr.... This guy is equal to Michael Jordan in their respective sports in terms of talent. Maybe it's his hand injuries, maybe it's just lack of will.
I believe he's the greatest talent I've ever seen. A good chin, insane speed, great defense, great inside fighting skills and a ring general.

[Greatest1942]

Good choice, but what seems to be at least in part to blame for him not living up to his potential is the ring death of Frankie Campbell, he seemed to stop loading up on his punches after said fight. His son said Baer had nightmares about it.

If I recall correctly, he knocked Campbell's brain completely free of his skull. Now that's worrying power there.

Some people would have you believe he was responsible for another boxers death (Eric Schaf or something like that?), but I'm not convinced.

While the death of Campbell did play a part, teh main problem was that
Baer was rarely serious...he did realize this partially, but never did anything to remedy it. He was always playing around trying to please his light hearted audiences...What ever the fact remains that he under utilised his potential...


GreatA : True of Erbie Schaaf.Schaaf's obituary stated that "just before his bout with Carnera, Schaaf went into reclusion in a religious retreat near Boston to recuperate from an attack of influenza". An autospy also revailed that Schaaf had meningitis, a swelling of the brain besides
influenza.

If Max baer truly utilised his potential he would have been far greater than he was...the man had everything yet wasted it...But he lived life the way he liked.

[Greatest1942]

While the death of Campbell did play a part, teh main problem was that
Baer was rarely serious...he did realize this partially, but never did anything to remedy it. He was always playing around trying to please his light hearted audiences...What ever the fact remains that he under utilised his potential...


GreatA : True of Erbie Schaaf.Schaaf's obituary stated that "just before his bout with Carnera, Schaaf went into reclusion in a religious retreat near Boston to recuperate from an attack of influenza". An autospy also revailed that Schaaf had meningitis, a swelling of the brain besides
influenza.

If Max baer truly utilised his potential he would have been far greater than he was...the man had everything yet wasted it...But he lived life the way he liked.

Intresting Trivia on Max Baer:-

One Baer complained to Dempsey that in his match with Loughran, "I've been looking at left jabs all night, lefts, lefts, lefts, that's all I've seen." To which Dempsey said, "you could have stopped that lefty in the first round." When Max asked how, Dempsey stood up and told him to take off his coat. By now all activity in the restaurant had come to a stand still. "Now lead with the left," said Jack and as Max shot out his left arm, Dempsey fired his right fist into Baer's left bicep. When Baer cried out "you broke my arm" Jack smiled and said "I'll show you another punch" and as they were dancing around as if in a clinch, Jack punched Max in the side. "That's illegal" said Max. "They'll only warn you the first time" grinned Jack and they sat back down to finish eating.

[GoogleMe]

The punch Carnera hit Earnie Schaaf with.....well, lets just say you've probably been smacked harder by your Mom. Schaaf had taken a hell of a beating from Baer which probably had caused brain damage with the Carnera fight just being the thing that pushed him over the edge. It's similar to what happend to Gerald McClellan: McClellan had started showing problems BEFORE the Nigel Benn fight.....Clearly from damaged sustained in a previous bout. The Benn fight was simply the final straw.

Poet

Well - Nigel Benn is a beast and hits rather hard.

[NChristo]

Bernard Mays.

[The_Demon]

Roy jones could have gone down as one of the GOAT,he was a special fighter but his resume is lacking and certainly doesnt match his insane talent