Biggest Waste Of Potential/Talent EVER?

[Mugwump]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Hamed. For me he represents the biggest waste of natural talent in my lifetime.

I watched him (aged 20/21) win his first belt against a very solid champion - Steve Robinson - and he was phenomenal. Mesmerising speed, brutal power and a ruthless killer instinct. I honestly believed he would go on to dominate perhaps two or three divisions and cement an unquestionable legacy as the greatest ever British fighter.

Yes, he pretty much unified his division and entertained a lot of people in the process. But there should have been so much more. His love of fame, money and the high-life turned him into a shot fighter by the age of 26. The Hamed that destroyed Robinson would have wiped the floor with Kevin Kelley. Watching him receive a boxing lesson against Barrera was, for me, tragic. Barrera was a great champion - but the Hamed he comprehensively defeated was a shadow of the hungry assassin that first emerged onto the world boxing scene.

Nothing infuriates me more than seeing genuine talent nonchalantly pissed away. And Hamed is the epitome of wasted talent.

[Jeradon84]

Can I count herol graham as an underachiever?

[Toney616]

Tyson
Nunn
Toney

[The Surgeon]

Harry Greb. If he had fought a bit more frequently and against the odd decent fighter instead of Tomato cans then mabey he'd have done ok....

[SBleeder]

Mabey give Everyone Fits was a bit strong. But he fought a Great fight and showed every quality u look for in a fighter on that occasion. Take the Tokyo Douglas and any other version of him and its night and day, for that reason i agree he never fought to his potential but id still have Greats like Evander beating him even on that showing. Tyson was not on form that night and still nearly got to him

I would pick the Douglas from the McCall fight and the Douglas from the Berbick fight over the Douglas from the Tyson fight.

[The Surgeon]

I would pick the Douglas from the McCall fight and the Douglas from the Berbick fight over the Douglas from the Tyson fight.

Well ur on ur own there

[Uturn]

Sanders. Had raw talent, but threw it away. Could have been an ATG HW had he been more dedicated to Boxing. Had great hand speed and athletic ability in his younger years.

[McGoorty]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Hamed. For me he represents the biggest waste of natural talent in my lifetime.

I watched him (aged 20/21) win his first belt against a very solid champion - Steve Robinson - and he was phenomenal. Mesmerising speed, brutal power and a ruthless killer instinct. I honestly believed he would go on to dominate perhaps two or three divisions and cement an unquestionable legacy as the greatest ever British fighter.

Yes, he pretty much unified his division and entertained a lot of people in the process. But there should have been so much more. His love of fame, money and the high-life turned him into a shot fighter by the age of 26. The Hamed that destroyed Robinson would have wiped the floor with Kevin Kelley. Watching him receive a boxing lesson against Barrera was, for me, tragic. Barrera was a great champion - but the Hamed he comprehensively defeated was a shadow of the hungry assassin that first emerged onto the world boxing scene.

Nothing infuriates me more than seeing genuine talent nonchalantly pissed away. And Hamed is the epitome of wasted talent.

Do you think that Hamed would have been better served by less antics, face pulling and general clowning..... and had a more serious ring demeanor,..... you know, went in there all business...... nothing wrong with a bit of lip though, it also seemed like he refused to ever get his hands up....... I mean even Tony Canzoneri at times got his hands up when he was under extreme attack. Hamed is one guy who could probably been even better than it turned out...... Last question..... Why didn't he keep going after the loss to Barrera ???... he still had something to offer.... I think that's where the real waste was.

[McGoorty]

Harry Greb. If he had fought a bit more frequently and against the odd decent fighter instead of Tomato cans then mabey he'd have done ok....

Yeah,... same goes for some of the other guys like Sam Langford, Maxie Rosenbloom and especially some like Young Peter Jackson....... Why didn't those guys have 500 fights at least,............... I mean, what on earth did they spend their time on,....... wasted weeks, terrible,...... and why did they dodge SO MANY FIGHTERS....... disgraceful.

[mikeyh1015]

mike tyson could have been the best ever if he kept it together.

Panchitio Bojado