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I am just thinking about fighters and the defining mega fights that were to begin a new era of expected greatness, but somewhere things fell off.
I recently read a quote online about not being able to predict greatness. It's something that just happens and one day you realize it.
Fortunately the rise produces hype, multi-million dollar contracts, promised title shots, dates, etc. Unfortunately, the fall happens quick and hard.
The one that mostly comes to my mind is:
"THE PERFECT MATCHUP"
Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor vs Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik
Both men had a quick (in terms of sudden exposure to a mega money and title fight) rise to the top. Kind of reminds me of DLH vs Tito. Both young, in their primes, undefeated, champions, expected to both go onto greater things win, lose or draw. The fight itself lived up with a dramatic finish and the promise of a great new star while Taylor still was young and talented enough to get retribution or continue his own great path.
Fast forward and both have had some struggles. Taylor struggling in the ring and whether to continue fighting after a string of brutal KO losses at the highest levels. Pavlik struggling with limitations in the ring and his personal demons outside of the ring.
I wish the case would have been Taylor and Pavlik continuing to dominate or perform at the top level of the MW-SMW divisions.
Any others guys?
I recently read a quote online about not being able to predict greatness. It's something that just happens and one day you realize it.
Fortunately the rise produces hype, multi-million dollar contracts, promised title shots, dates, etc. Unfortunately, the fall happens quick and hard.
The one that mostly comes to my mind is:
"THE PERFECT MATCHUP"
Jermain "Bad Intentions" Taylor vs Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik
Both men had a quick (in terms of sudden exposure to a mega money and title fight) rise to the top. Kind of reminds me of DLH vs Tito. Both young, in their primes, undefeated, champions, expected to both go onto greater things win, lose or draw. The fight itself lived up with a dramatic finish and the promise of a great new star while Taylor still was young and talented enough to get retribution or continue his own great path.
Fast forward and both have had some struggles. Taylor struggling in the ring and whether to continue fighting after a string of brutal KO losses at the highest levels. Pavlik struggling with limitations in the ring and his personal demons outside of the ring.
I wish the case would have been Taylor and Pavlik continuing to dominate or perform at the top level of the MW-SMW divisions.
Any others guys?