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We've all seen it happen. You follow a fighter throughout his career, and think to yourself, "wow, this kid has really got it". Speed, skill, power. You expect great things, you expect electricity, championships, domination, title belts, and a triumphant walk into the sunset. Instead what you got was dissapointment. Unexplainable freezing under pressure. Questionable heart. Disastrous management decisions. Loyalty to the trainer that just couldn't take you any further.
Watching the recent Judah vs Cotto fight, I couldn't help but to look back at the career of one of the most talent blessed fighters in recent years- Zab Judah. Yes he's had a nice career, but I always thought he could, and should have amounted to so much more. With loyalty to his father in the corner, who's best advice was always a series of shadowboxing preceded by smacks in the chest and a very insightful "you got this guy", it really left me wondering why the hell this kid never moved on up to a different trainer earlier in his career. I honestly believe that a Freddy Roach or Manny Steward could have made a significant difference on Zabs career. The problem was never the lack of tools to work with for Judah, it was always his gameplan, and focus for the duration af a fight.
So with that said, lets air out the coulda-shoulda's of our boxing past and shed some light on what went wrong. Name the fighter of today or the past who at the end of the day left you dissapointed with what they achieved, despite all the skill and advantages.
Watching the recent Judah vs Cotto fight, I couldn't help but to look back at the career of one of the most talent blessed fighters in recent years- Zab Judah. Yes he's had a nice career, but I always thought he could, and should have amounted to so much more. With loyalty to his father in the corner, who's best advice was always a series of shadowboxing preceded by smacks in the chest and a very insightful "you got this guy", it really left me wondering why the hell this kid never moved on up to a different trainer earlier in his career. I honestly believe that a Freddy Roach or Manny Steward could have made a significant difference on Zabs career. The problem was never the lack of tools to work with for Judah, it was always his gameplan, and focus for the duration af a fight.
So with that said, lets air out the coulda-shoulda's of our boxing past and shed some light on what went wrong. Name the fighter of today or the past who at the end of the day left you dissapointed with what they achieved, despite all the skill and advantages.