Who are the 'George Bests' of boxing?

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 27 Nov 2009, 05:29

By that I mean which boxers had talent to burn, but not necessarily the dedication to match? Preferred a night on the piss or on the pot etc. to being in the gym?

The first one that sprung to mind was Kirkland 'The Gifted One' Laing, any other examples?

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 27 Nov 2009, 05:33

Benny Lynch and on a lesser scale Scott Harrison

banjo · Post by **banjo** » 27 Nov 2009, 05:35

His time was before I were born but I've heard John Conteh was a talent who pissed it all away even though he was a world champion.

ERIC GUY · Post by **ERIC GUY** » 27 Nov 2009, 05:57

Kirk would still train!!, but smoke on way home, him and winston wray!!, god they were fun times.......

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 27 Nov 2009, 06:04

I dread to think of half the things Michael Gomez must've been getting up to whilst fighting at a relatively high level.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 27 Nov 2009, 06:16

boxrec wrote:Prince Naseem? A career cut short, due to obsessive eating....

You could also argue that mike tyson could have been even better, if he had more focus and discipline...

I don't think eating cut Naz's career short. More the fact he completely fell in love with himself, wouldn't listen to the right people and couldn't handle being beaten.

Nigel Benn did alright considering the partying he was doing in the 90's. The story of the state he was in going into the Barkley fight is mental

MrBoxingUK2 · Post by **MrBoxingUK2** » 27 Nov 2009, 06:44

boxrec wrote:Prince Naseem? A career cut short, due to obsessive eating....

You could also argue that mike tyson could have been even better, if he had more focus and discipline...

he had hand trouble

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:04

michael nunn

didn't fulfill his potential.

despite being a 2 weight champ.

now in prison serving a long sentence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhcwSsDxYIg

whiskey · Post by **whiskey** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:15

On a far lesser level,

I always thought Young Mutley could have done more following his win over Jennings a few years ago.

His Thursday night fight with Kevin Anderson was right up there with Gomez vs Arthur as far as domestic thrills & spills went.

That's one fight I wish my sky box never deleted.

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:23

Anyone got any 'out of the ring' stories involving some of our more colourful boxers that they could share with us.

I seem to remember Kirklands old trainer (Brian Peters???) saying on 'Bunces Kirkland Laing documentary' that he was smoking a spliff on the way to his British title fight with Rocky Kelly..... then got in the ring and stopped him in 5

I love Kirkland Laing, i'm gonna have to get Oliver Jarrats book on him http://www.oliverjarratt.com

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:24

G0mez wrote:On a far lesser level,

I always thought Young Mutley could have done more following his win over Jennings a few years ago.

His Thursday night fight with Kevin Anderson was right up there with Gomez vs Arthur as far as domestic thrills & spills went.

That's one fight I wish my sky box never deleted.

Yeah that was a Great fight! Anderson was half a punch away from losing that one, but came back brilliantly. I was gutted at the time

Syntax Error · Post by **Syntax Error** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:34

Some of the top HWs of the 80s could fall into this category; namely Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas & Tony Tucker.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:41

Got to be Kirkland.

In more recent times in the UK I've been left feeling frustrated with Danny Williams for similar reasons. Although harder to predict how far he would have gone "in shape". Tyson, in his later career was not disciplined and it was sad to see him overweight for the Neilson, Lewis, Williams and McBride fights - especially considering he looked good in the Francis, Saverese, Golota and Etteine fights.

Hector Camacho Jnr might not ever been a world champion, but I feel he would have been alot better at Welter than the one campaigning at Super Middleweight now, and he's rumoured to be fighting another one in the same bracket - Fernando Vargas (although he does have ill health, which could attribute to his ballooning up in weight).

Although not the most gifted fighter out there, I think Ricardo Mayorga could have had a better career if it wasn't for his lifestyle and attitude.

hitman_hatton1 · Post by **hitman_hatton1** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:46

stujones wrote:Got to be Kirkland.

that american light middle james kirland could be one of these.

light middle is a bit of a wasteland at the moment and kirkland was looking good.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:49

hitman_hatton1 wrote:
stujones wrote:Got to be Kirkland.
that american light middle james kirland could be one of these.

light middle is a bit of a wasteland at the moment and kirkland was looking good.

I think James would have been beaten at world level, but yeah I forgot about his crimes and that he's in jail now.

Wales · Post by **Wales** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:53

MrBoxingUK2 wrote:
boxrec wrote:Prince Naseem? A career cut short, due to obsessive eating....

You could also argue that mike tyson could have been even better, if he had more focus and discipline...
he had hand trouble

Naseem? He started to believe his own hype, believed all he had to do was turn up and he'd win. Also, remember the glove escapade pre-barrera fight, and the delay in him coming ot the ring. Imagine if he wouldve had the drive and discipline of pacquiao!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 27 Nov 2009, 07:56

Lenny wrote:Benny Lynch and on a lesser scale Scott Harrison

Benny Lynch yes, I think Scott went as far as he could go.

Poncey · Post by **Poncey** » 27 Nov 2009, 08:01

Either Lynch or Jack Doyle. Both decided to have the piss instead of use their wasted talent. PLus Doyle put his willy in most of Hollywood.

deadpan · Post by **deadpan** » 27 Nov 2009, 08:02

Aaron Pryor

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 27 Nov 2009, 08:02

stujones wrote:
Lenny wrote:Benny Lynch and on a lesser scale Scott Harrison
Benny Lynch yes, I think Scott went as far as he could go.

Yeah I agree, still missed out on some big ones though, he and Alex Arthur could have been a very big fight.

stevieb_8006 · Post by **stevieb_8006** » 27 Nov 2009, 11:20

johnny tapia?

Counter-puncher · Post by **Counter-puncher** » 27 Nov 2009, 11:22

Chambers2 wrote:
G0mez wrote:On a far lesser level,

I always thought Young Mutley could have done more following his win over Jennings a few years ago.

His Thursday night fight with Kevin Anderson was right up there with Gomez vs Arthur as far as domestic thrills & spills went.

That's one fight I wish my sky box never deleted.
Yeah that was a Great fight! Anderson was half a punch away from losing that one, but came back brilliantly. I was gutted at the time

i was there at the AVLC that night, great fight great atmosphere- AVLC really keeps the noise in there to add to the whole feel of things

stevieb_8006 · Post by **stevieb_8006** » 27 Nov 2009, 11:25

james toney ate his way out of an amazing career.

tarver could have done more if it wasnt for the crack.

Chambers2 · Post by **Chambers2** » 27 Nov 2009, 11:25

stevieb_8006 wrote:johnny tapia?

Yeah good call, he's the US's version of Michael Gomez IMO, what stories them pair have got behind em. Bout time Gomez's film wass out!!!

stevieb_8006 · Post by **stevieb_8006** » 27 Nov 2009, 11:26

nicky booth

Who are the 'George Bests' of boxing?

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