The Disappointment Hall Of Fame

[The Old LefHook]

Chad Dawson probably belongs there. Maybe Kelly Pavlik, too. There are many.

But only a few make it into both Halls of Fame. Would Mike Tyson be one of those Few. I think the foul Pole would be. Whereas a guy like Mike Weaver you never expected much out of anyway.

[Willie Pep 229]

Chad Dawson probably belongs there. Maybe Kelly Pavlik, too. There are many.

But only a few make it into both Halls of Fame. Would Mike Tyson be one of those Few. I think the foul Pole would be. Whereas a guy like Mike Weaver you never expected much out of anyway.

Yes to Tyson, add Hector Camacho!

[Rusty Tromboni]

Isn't this the discussion topic looming over virtually EVERY fighter not named Harry Greb?

When HAS a fighter achieved his full potential? When has a fighter made good on every opportunity afforded to him? Essentially, whenever we talk about fighters' greatness were talking about what they achieved in light of what we believe was possible. It's like an Easter Egg hunt: you CAN take all the eggs, but you won't; so hope to get the most and the best.

When you consider how many ATG fighters were finished before even reaching their physical prime, it becomes clear that the disappointments are more often the rule. Boxing is brutal, it draws from the most *************** element of society, and the erratic schedule and sudden onset of weatlh and fame tends to be even more damaging than life in the ring/gym.

It's an interesting topic, I suppose. But I guess you need to know what's meant by disappointment.

Vitali was a disappointment.

Conn was a disappointment.

McGovern was a disappointment.

Conney was a disappointment.

Whitaker was a disappointment.

Gregory was a disappointment.

Ayala Jr. was a disappointment.

Davis Jr. was a disappointment.

McCarty was a disappointment.

Douglas was a disappointment.

All for distinctly different reasons. All having achieved different levels of success.

[Willie Pep 229]

Isn't this the discussion topic looming over virtually EVERY fighter not named Harry Greb?

When HAS a fighter achieved his full potential? When has a fighter made good on every opportunity afforded to him? Essentially, whenever we talk about fighters' greatness were talking about what they achieved in light of what we believe was possible. It's like an Easter Egg hunt: you CAN take all the eggs, but you won't; so hope to get the most and the best.

When you consider how many ATG fighters were finished before even reaching their physical prime, it becomes clear that the disappointments are more often the rule. Boxing is brutal, it draws from the most *************** element of society, and the erratic schedule and sudden onset of weatlh and fame tends to be even more damaging than life in the ring/gym.

It's an interesting topic, I suppose. But I guess you need to know what's meant by disappointment.

Vitali was a disappointment.

Conn was a disappointment.

McGovern was a disappointment.

Conney was a disappointment.

Whitaker was a disappointment.

Gregory was a disappointment.

Ayala Jr. was a disappointment.

Davis Jr. was a disappointment.

McCarty was a disappointment.

Douglas was a disappointment.

All for distinctly different reasons. All having achieved different levels of success.

Isn't there a difference between a fighter fading and being a disappointment?

I don't see Conn, McGovern, and Whitaker as disappointments. Ayala failed as a human being, not necessarily as a fighter.

Douglas belongs on the list; but he was a disappointment before and after the Tyson fight. So I wonder how he fits in?

[The Old LefHook]

Being a disappointment is a start but it may not get you all the way into the Hall of Disappointment, though hundreds of fighters probably are in that hall. It takes quite a disappointment, probably spread out through a career. It takes a big gap between potential and achievement, generally, not disappointing actions as a human being.

It is hard to be consistent with the criteria because I am sure everyone was disappointed with what they got from Ibeabuchi according to what they saw as his potential. I guess, in fact, we have to add in all forms of disappointment to arrive at our totals.

[Marchegiano]

I mean I guess it's not the same for most people because the overlap between Wilder and Marciano fans seems to be just me, but Wilder proving he's no Marciano twice over did suck a big donkey turd.

I wanted to believe I was seeing the closest thing to a modern Marciano possible....Dude's not even that close actually. like 40% there....****.

[Rusty Tromboni]

Isn't there a difference between a fighter fading and being a disappointment?

I don't see Conn, McGovern, and Whitaker as disappointments. Ayala failed as a human being, not necessarily as a fighter.

Douglas belongs on the list; but he was a disappointment before and after the Tyson fight. So I wonder how he fits in?

I see your argument. I just want to illustrate that it's a matter of very broad interpretation.

All of those guys seemed on the cusp of becoming 3 Division Champions. All saw their careers conclude prematurely; regardless of reason.

Of course they truly achieved greatness. So while it is disappointing they didn't achieve everything seemingly possible, I can understand if they're not "disappointments", per se.

Probably guys like Tyson and Pryor are the best candidates, though, because the proved they had the potential to be great without achieving greatness.

[Rusty Tromboni]

I mean I guess it's not the same for most people because the overlap between Wilder and Marciano fans seems to be just me, but Wilder proving he's no Marciano twice over did suck a big donkey turd.

I wanted to believe I was seeing the closest thing to a modern Marciano possible....Dude's not even that close actually. like 40% there....****.

That's ridiculously unfair.

Marciano never had to fight a Fury.

Hell, I wouldn't pick him to beat Usyk.

And he considered Ingo a bridge too far.

If Wilder looks like anybody it's Ingo. Though, Wilder is much more professional and Ingo probably wasn't as hapless skill-wise.

[The Old LefHook]

I mean I guess it's not the same for most people because the overlap between Wilder and Marciano fans seems to be just me, but Wilder proving he's no Marciano twice over did suck a big donkey turd.

I wanted to believe I was seeing the closest thing to a modern Marciano possible....Dude's not even that close actually. like 40% there....****.

I believe Wilder (especially now) is much more reminiscent of Foreman than Marciano. Foreman and Wilder both had some giant vulnerabilities, whereas Marciano was a near perfect boxer who barely needed to change or augment the techniques that Goldman taught.

[Marchegiano]

I believe Wilder (especially now) is much more reminiscent of Foreman than Marciano. Foreman and Wilder both had some giant vulnerabilities, whereas Marciano was a near perfect boxer who barely needed to change or augment the techniques that Goldman taught.

Very true, great post.