Tweet
Which boxers ended up exceeding the expectations originally set for them?, specially the ones who achieved financial or sporting success disproportionate to their talent or "skill".
Ricky Burns: Three division world champion. I was never impressed by Burns but he shows why living in a country with developed boxing programs can be more important than talent.
Scott Quigg and Anthony Crolla: Same case as Burns.
Daniel Zaragoza: Two division world champion. Despite not being the most flashy or athletic boxer, Zaragoza became the first champion of Nacho Beristain, he beat some excellent boxers and also attended the 1980 Olympics.
Orlando Salido: Two time featherweight champion. Despite turning pro at 14 with no amateur career, Salido earned good money, became a champion and was able to upset 4 privileged Olympians.
Leo Santa Cruz: Four division world champion. While Leo was a beast at the lower weights, Al Haymon was able to set him up for huge paydays and WBA vacant belts that cemented Santa Cruz in history, all without having to face Rigondeaux. Leo named his son Al.
Andre Berto: Two time welterweight champion. Although he lost at the Olympic trials, Berto was able to attend the games representing Haiti. He was one of Al Haymon’s favorites, earning multiple million dollar paydays and despite losing twice in eliminators for the Floyd Mayweather lottery ticket, Berto got to face Money the night he retired.
Josesito Lopez: Got a lot of good paydays thanks to Al Haymon.
Luis Alberto Lopez: Featherweight champion. Started boxing at 22 and turned pro after 12 amateur fights. To become a champion after starting at 22 and in a lower weight class is incredible, he beat boxers who started as kids.
George Kambosos: Unified lightweight champion. Nobody believed in Kambosos but he fought like a lion against Teofimo. Unfortunately, he’s been riding on that win for a bit too long.
Jake Paul: No explanation needed.
THE ELITE Boxers with high expectations can also surprise.
Nonito Donaire: Four division world champion. Many people don’t know this but Nonito would knock out the best historical flyweights and bantamweights. He surprised father time after dropping back to bantamweight and scoring brutal knockouts, despite losses against beasts like Rigo, Inoue and Walters, you couldn’t have asked more from the sixth boxer to win world titles on three separate decades.
Oleksandr Usyk: Undisputed cruiser weight and heavyweight champion. European Champion, World Amateur Champion, Olympic Champion, x2 undisputed, WBSS winner. Just a perfect career, any of his accolades would be the pride of any gym.
Lauren Price: Unified welterweight champion. Captain of the U-19 Wales football team, Wales football player of the year, 4 time kickboxing world champion, world amateur champion and olympic champion. Adding three world titles would have been too much for many but not for Price.
Ricky Burns: Three division world champion. I was never impressed by Burns but he shows why living in a country with developed boxing programs can be more important than talent.
Scott Quigg and Anthony Crolla: Same case as Burns.
Daniel Zaragoza: Two division world champion. Despite not being the most flashy or athletic boxer, Zaragoza became the first champion of Nacho Beristain, he beat some excellent boxers and also attended the 1980 Olympics.
Orlando Salido: Two time featherweight champion. Despite turning pro at 14 with no amateur career, Salido earned good money, became a champion and was able to upset 4 privileged Olympians.
Leo Santa Cruz: Four division world champion. While Leo was a beast at the lower weights, Al Haymon was able to set him up for huge paydays and WBA vacant belts that cemented Santa Cruz in history, all without having to face Rigondeaux. Leo named his son Al.
Andre Berto: Two time welterweight champion. Although he lost at the Olympic trials, Berto was able to attend the games representing Haiti. He was one of Al Haymon’s favorites, earning multiple million dollar paydays and despite losing twice in eliminators for the Floyd Mayweather lottery ticket, Berto got to face Money the night he retired.
Josesito Lopez: Got a lot of good paydays thanks to Al Haymon.
Luis Alberto Lopez: Featherweight champion. Started boxing at 22 and turned pro after 12 amateur fights. To become a champion after starting at 22 and in a lower weight class is incredible, he beat boxers who started as kids.
George Kambosos: Unified lightweight champion. Nobody believed in Kambosos but he fought like a lion against Teofimo. Unfortunately, he’s been riding on that win for a bit too long.
Jake Paul: No explanation needed.
THE ELITE Boxers with high expectations can also surprise.
Nonito Donaire: Four division world champion. Many people don’t know this but Nonito would knock out the best historical flyweights and bantamweights. He surprised father time after dropping back to bantamweight and scoring brutal knockouts, despite losses against beasts like Rigo, Inoue and Walters, you couldn’t have asked more from the sixth boxer to win world titles on three separate decades.
Oleksandr Usyk: Undisputed cruiser weight and heavyweight champion. European Champion, World Amateur Champion, Olympic Champion, x2 undisputed, WBSS winner. Just a perfect career, any of his accolades would be the pride of any gym.
Lauren Price: Unified welterweight champion. Captain of the U-19 Wales football team, Wales football player of the year, 4 time kickboxing world champion, world amateur champion and olympic champion. Adding three world titles would have been too much for many but not for Price.
Smash
Comment