Consensus top prospects who never made the grade

[SteveDow]

Pele Reid was one who was touted as a big heavyweight prospect and who amounted to nothing.

Ismayl Sillakh has been a big disappointment to me. I really thought he'd be a fairly dominant light heavyweight champion at one point but clearly can't take a shot.

[Old bones Ian]

Kelcie Banks was a top amateur, he was touted as gold medal contender at the Seoul olympics, but got knocked out in the first round by Regilio Tuur.
He turned pro and there were still high hopes, but in his 2nd fight he got knocked out in the 3rd round. He stayed in the pro's , but never made an impact, being used as a name for Ike Quartey on his rise up the ranks, Ike stopped him in the 7th.

[mike john]

manny steward raved about a guy he trained called octavio lara, "the next tommy hearns" and all that, lost 2 of his only 9 fights and called it a day

kostya tszyu managed a fighter named anton solopov who was highly regarded, got knocked out 3 times in 20 fights

[bripez]

Too early to say Tom Stalker?

I've never seen anything from Stalker to make me believe he would make it past domestic level

Yeah I don't think Stalker was ever considered a top prospect?

Stalker was (I think) the European champion and world number 1 going into the Olympics.

Given this and that he has continued to be a full time boxer with the advantages that brings, I can't see him reaching British title level which is surely less than his backers would have expected.

[Jon Saxon]

Mathew Ellis.

[banjo]

What was the name of that Irish lad who won Olympic gold in 1992 who went on to do not much as a pro?

[johnswan1]

What was the name of that Irish lad who won Olympic gold in 1992 who went on to do not much as a pro?

Michael Caruth. Lost his 7th pro bout in a 6 rounder against an opponent with a 15-14-2 record. Went on to fight for the WBO Welterweight title (at a time when it was less recognised) and lost a majority decision in Germany to Mihai Leu, who himself due to injury didn't fight again and retired undefeated. He then took up a career in motor racing where he went on to become a national rally champion.

[handsofstone]

A bit off topic but I wonder how Darren Sutherland would have progressed by now, he always stood out from the rest of the 2008 Olympians, it was a tragedy

[johnswan1]

A bit off topic but I wonder how Darren Sutherland would have progressed by now, he always stood out from the rest of the 2008 Olympians, it was a tragedy

Yes, Sutherland would have slotted in nicely alongside DeGale/Groves/Froch. Given their Olympic history it probably would have been Sutherland who would go on to have the heavily hyped rivalry with DeGale that Groves had. I wonder if he was still around would he still be managed by Kellie.

[ste1983]

A bit off topic but I wonder how Darren Sutherland would have progressed by now, he always stood out from the rest of the 2008 Olympians, it was a tragedy

I often think that especially this year or so with many of the 'class of 2008' getting to in/around world title level. Just how would Sutherland's career be going now. As you say a real tragedy.

[banjo]

What was the name of that Irish lad who won Olympic gold in 1992 who went on to do not much as a pro?

Michael Caruth. Lost his 7th pro bout in a 6 rounder against an opponent with a 15-14-2 record. Went on to fight for the WBO Welterweight title (at a time when it was less recognised) and lost a majority decision in Germany to Mihai Leu, who himself due to injury didn't fight again and retired undefeated. He then took up a career in motor racing where he went on to become a national rally champion.

Wow that's good to hear he didn't just fade away.

[dhb-raging bull]

Never saw him fight he was before my time but there's a local boxer to me who was a top amateur by the name of marc epton who turned pro had a couple of fights and never boxed again apparently he was a really good amateur

[Boxing Prospect]

Tony Jeffries? He was more Tom Stalker I guess than a really A grade prospect.

[black panther]

People raved about Francisco Bojado only for it all to go nipples skywards.

Yeah Bojado looked mustard on his way up. Had bags of talent. Maybe Mayweather Snr ruined him or maybe he lacked the discipline. Something was missing there but like I say, the raw talent was definitely there.

[keithmoonhangover]

Dave and John Dolan.

[bripez]

Mathew Ellis.

I cant remember who it was but he was described as the "first billion dollar boxer" - there was obviously a bit of PR bull involved but big things were predicted at the time.

I think that Roman Greenberg was also described as the first billion dollar boxer too !

[whiskey]

Odlanier Solis.

[whiskey]

Add Luis Garcia to the list too.

[freddydoesdallas]

Was Greenburg ever really considered a top prospect or was he just getting a lot of coverage due to being jewish?

[Leonid]

[crusader]

The infamous March 2004 cover

[PredatorHayds]

Ring got that spot on

I remember Appleby getting 100k for a British title fight. Unheard of At that weight.

John Murray was the best amateur I've ever seen. I'd of put my house on him being world champion.

[reggaereggae]

Michael Grant (the U.S. heavyweight one)

[Finch]

Don Broadhurst?

[roy]

[quote="dhb-raging bull"]Never saw him fight he was before my time but there's a local boxer to me who was a top amateur by the name of marc epton who turned pro had a couple of fights and never boxed again apparently he was a really good amateur[/q

In the book "Paddy and the prince" it claims that Epton was lined up for a British title fight but decided to retire after being outclassed by a 16 year-old Naz in sparring.