Ismayl Sillakh- wasted talent?

[lefty]

I just saw that he was knocked out in the third round at cruiserweight by Vlasov after hurting and dropping Vlasov in the first round
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UQchVTA8sFQ

I remember being really high on Sillakh when he was an undefeated prospect prior to being knocked out by Grachev. He had fast hands, quick feet, good boxing IQ, could punch and was a nice counter puncher. However, what ended up being a glaring flaw was his complete inability to hold a shot. Any significant punch he took seemed to put him on queer street. I don't know if anyone else thought he had a lot of potential before he was exposed or it was just me but it does seem like he's ended up being a wasted talent somewhat.

[crusader]

I was also high on him and many others were too. As you noted, he's someone with numerous strengths (good size, fast hands, very light on his feet, solid pop, etc.), so before his chin was exposed he looked to be very promising and it's easy to see why he was regarded so highly. Even in defeat he showed flashes of his impressive abilities, and I imagine that he was ahead in all of those bouts when they were stopped.

You could say that he's a wasted talent in that his terrible chin wastes the other abilities he has, although I don't consider him a wasted talent if you mean he was someone who never realized his potential; I think his fragility was always going to hold him back and it was just a matter of him facing good enough opponents (which turned out to include solid, but sub-world class guys like Grachev and Vlasov).

[lefty]

I was also high on him and many others were too. As you noted, he's someone with numerous strengths (good size, fast hands, very light on his feet, solid pop, etc.), so before his chin was exposed he looked to be very promising and it's easy to see why he was regarded so highly. Even in defeat he showed flashes of his impressive abilities, and I imagine that he was ahead in all of those bouts when they were stopped.

You could say that he's a wasted talent in that his terrible chin wastes the other abilities he has, although I don't consider him a wasted talent if you mean he was someone who never realized his potential; I think his fragility was always going to hold him back and it was just a matter of him facing good enough opponents (which turned out to include solid, but sub-world class guys like Grachev and Vlasov).

No I agree actually when I rethink it. He wasn't a wasted talent in that his poor chin ended up deciding his overall potential. He had a number of great attributes but a boxers punch resistance is just as important as the other facets. It's a shame he didn't have a better chin lol.

[crusader]

Ya, even with a decent chin I think he could've done a lot....the other abilities are clearly there.