the could-of-been's

[portuge puncher]

name some of the boxers that could have done more great things, but failed for one reason of another, i'll start of, Ike Ibeabuchi, the guy was great, beat an undefeated chris byrd and david tua, sux that he went crazy

[NakiFan]

Henry Cooper a 175lb light heavyweight who wore weights in his shoes to make heavyweight, Ko'd Prime Muhammed Ali, but it was right on the bell, and they cut ali's glove so they could get a replacement, then they used smelling salts. and that and the 5 minute break while they searched for a glove gave Ali time to recover. American TV later edited the fight so it looks like there is only a few extra seconds but we all know the truth, And Ali himself admitted he was on queer street after that left hook.

[Southpaw16BF]

Sam Langford(Even do still one of the greatest of all time, it's a damn shame Langford never got more chances and had to pay for the sins of Jack Johnson, may have won a Title at every Weight class if would of been given the chance)

Charley Burley (Would may have been been remembered as a much better fightere and more of ATG if he would of got his chances)

Salvador Sanchez(But said he only wanted 1 more year boxing before he was going retire and study to become a Doctor) But would of been interesting to see what he would have done in that 1 year.

Kirkland Laing- Had scary talent, but wasn't interested in training and to busy smoking and partying, it's a shame he wasn't dedicated to the game, could of been something specail.

Tony Ayala Jr(Touted as boxing greatest ever prospect by many, When 14 years of age got the better of then WBA World Champion Pipeno Cuevas, could have been one of the ATG's, but right before he was about to hit stardom was Jailed 35 years.

Stanley Ketchel( Some say when he died, he was past his prime, but others belive the best was yet to come from Ketchel. Who knows what Ketchel may have went on to do, but was killed at only 24 years of age while still Middlweight Champion)

Ike Ibeabuchi(Touted as the future of the Heavyweight division, never beaten as a Pro, stood toe to toe with a prime David Tua, and took a decision, victory and was the first ever man to beat and KO Chris Byrd. Was senteced to Jail, and still awaits a trial. I really do belive Ike would of been World Champion)

Wilfred Benitez(Although a ATG, he never really took the sport serious, and neglected training, imagine with dedication how good Benitez may have been. A scary thought)

Meldrick Taylor(Maybe if given the decision in the Chavez fight things may have gone different for him, but he wasn't and due to this never recovered from not having his night of glory. What a Talent)

Les Darcy(Was getting ready for a fight with Harry Greb, before he died due to posion getting in his body, very sad. Would of been interesting to see what he would of when on to do and how him and Greb would of played out.

Plenty more, but these are some that come to mind. And there alot of black fighters that were could of beens.

[portuge puncher]

Henry Cooper a 175lb light heavyweight who wore weights in his shoes to make heavyweight, Ko'd Prime Muhammed Ali, but it was right on the bell, and they cut ali's glove so they could get a replacement, then they used smelling salts. and that and the 5 minute break while they searched for a glove gave Ali time to recover. American TV later edited the fight so it looks like there is only a few extra seconds but we all know the truth, And Ali himself admitted he was on queer street after that left hook.

wow, thanx for the info, i never knew that, i always thought he just got up and was fine.

[Joey Giardello]

Henry Cooper a 175lb light heavyweight who wore weights in his shoes to make heavyweight, Ko'd Prime Muhammed Ali, but it was right on the bell, and they cut ali's glove so they could get a replacement, then they used smelling salts. and that and the 5 minute break while they searched for a glove gave Ali time to recover. American TV later edited the fight so it looks like there is only a few extra seconds but we all know the truth, And Ali himself admitted he was on queer street after that left hook.

Great post, very intresting read

[Chex31]

Henry Cooper a 175lb light heavyweight who wore weights in his shoes to make heavyweight, Ko'd Prime Muhammed Ali, but it was right on the bell, and they cut ali's glove so they could get a replacement, then they used smelling salts. and that and the 5 minute break while they searched for a glove gave Ali time to recover. American TV later edited the fight so it looks like there is only a few extra seconds but we all know the truth, And Ali himself admitted he was on queer street after that left hook.

The British boxing newspaper Boxing News conducted an investigation into the 'split glove' incident in 2003. Using the original television and radio broadcasts to determine length of time between rounds 4 and 5 it was discovered that Cassius Clay only gained 5 seconds extra and not the mythical 3-5 minutes. The gloves were never changed. Other sources on the matter confirm this.

[Kid McCoy]

Henry Cooper a 175lb light heavyweight who wore weights in his shoes to make heavyweight, Ko'd Prime Muhammed Ali, but it was right on the bell, and they cut ali's glove so they could get a replacement, then they used smelling salts. and that and the 5 minute break while they searched for a glove gave Ali time to recover. American TV later edited the fight so it looks like there is only a few extra seconds but we all know the truth, And Ali himself admitted he was on queer street after that left hook.

It's a myth that the break between rounds four and five lasted anything more than a few seconds. I haven't come across one contemporary newspaper report which mentions any significant delay. One would think that a mouthy young braggart being spared a KO by a cut glove and a long delay between rounds would be newsworthy, but apparently not.

I have seen the BBC's recording of the fight and it shows no delay, unless that's been edited too. Sure Cooper has claim ed it lasted anything up to five minutes but he usually had some excuse when he lost.

[adietheforestfa]

Kirkland Laing. Beat Roberto Duran, but didnt train much and smoked too much weed.

[NakiFan]

Well even if the delay was only a few seconds, had Cooper landed the punch half way through that round Ali would of been done for.

[oldgringo]

Tyrone Everett - Top-tier talent was robbed of a decision win against Alfredo Escalera and was killed soon after in a domestic dispute.

Salvador Sanchez - Could have been one of the greatest fighters of all-time...I'm talking top 10/20/30 here.

David Reid - Fine boxer was moved along rather quickly and was beaten up badly by Felix Trinidad. I believe a detached retina and following complications led to his demise.

Buddy McGirt - He was a terrific boxer and he had a very good, if not great, career, but I think Buddy could have been a hall of fame fighter had he not had the chronic shoulder problems later on.