Odd careers

Victor Ortiz. Billed as a potential golden boy (excuse the pun) from a young age in this sport. Good looking, Young and talented. De La Hoya obviously hoped he may fill his shoes and be a future cash cow. that was until Maidana cruelly exposed his weakness in heart during ther well ocumented brawl.

Since then his career seems to have taken a very odd turn. No longer can anone mention his naem without mentionign his lack of heart. He sort of built himself back a little against a faded Nate Campbell. Then immediatley showed frailties in both will and technique against a not elite Peterson. Now its up for a world title shot true. But Berto at 147? I am not saying he cant fightat 147 or it may not be a good weight for him, but it does seem a little odd. To jump up against a big hitter in a title fight. Ortiz seems to be a gap filler and unless he can produce something of real grit against Berto may become a stocking filler in the sport.

Odd.


Who else had or has a very non expected rise or fall or meander up or down the boxing ladder.

I always found it very strange that even as world champ Witter had almost nothing going for him in the sport. nothing at all in terms of fan base, ability to generate excitement on a wide level. Pull in a big paying fight. nothing.

Don't know if there's anything in particular you are looking for so will just pick a couple at random.

Emmanuel Augustus: Lost about half his fights, but he's a lot better than that and has fought a lot of great boxers.
Steve Robinson/Johnny Nelson: For pretty much being journeymen then winning a title and holding it for a long time.

I dont know if this can be classified as an odd career, but Errol Christie went downhill faster than an olympic skier. Great skills and called the next big thing by Ring Magazine. Trained in the Kronk.....but a chin made of wet paper.

Former heavyweight contender Zora Folley had a habit of making things difficult for himself, and tended to blow a bit hot and cold.

Folley, at his best, was a very good fighter. Sometimes described as a ' poor man's Ezzard Charles, ' what would seem to be a put down can actually be seen as a massive compliment - few could rival the great Charles in the p4p stakes.

A recurring theme in Folley's career was that he would work his way up the rankings, scoring wins over good men such as Nino Valdes, Wayne Bethea and other fringe contenders, only to then tumble down the rankings with an ignominious defeat, much like the old game of snakes and ladders. An excellent example would be the Henry Cooper fight of 1958 which was, to all intents and purposes, an eliminator to find a challenger to Patterson, ( though Cooper declined to challenge Floyd. ) Folley had drawn with Eddie Machen, had beaten Valdes and Bethea and was expected to comfortably handle Cooper. In the early stages he did just that and, though I haven't watched the fight for a long time, I believe he also dropped Cooper early on. However, Henry dug in and Folley fizzled out, the result being that Cooper took the fight by decision.

The pattern repeated itself as Folley bounced back with wins over fringe contenders such as Mitleff, Besmanoff and Machen, a kayo loss to Liston, ( no shame in that, ) but then a loss to Lavorante, who really shouldn't have been in his league.

Yet again, Folley seemed on the up, with a revenge kayo of Henry Cooper and wins over DeJohn and Doug Jones, only to lose a return match with Jones by kayo.

The yo yo pattern continued with wins over good men like Chuvalo, Bonavena, Bob Foster, etc., mingled with a loss to Terrell and one or two indifferent performances so that, by the time he finally got a title shot against Ali in '67, he was already in his mid thirties and past his best.

Excellent fighter, but an unfulfilled talent and a very odd career as a result.

The case of Manuel Ortiz definitely fits the description of 'odd' in a few ways. He was, without doubt, one of the top Bantamweight champions of all time (I have only Jofre, McGovern and possibly Zarate, depending on my mood, ahead of him) but his career actually had an awful start, losing nine of his first twenty-three fights. In fairness though, it should also be noted that within these twenty-three fights he was mixing it with the likes of Small Montana, Richie Lemos and Lou Salica, all world champions at 118 lb.

He certainly isn't the only outstanding world champion to overcome a poor start to their career (Victor Galindez and Henry Armstrong are good examples) but what's strage is that, even when he was world champion between 1942 and 1950 (with only a two month break in between) he was still an inconsistent performer, losing nine non-title bouts during that period of time, most of them to men who had no business even being in a ring with him.

Always thought Andrew Golota had an odd career.

Should have beaten Bowe twice but could help himself going after the crown jewels... That was followed with defeats against Lewis/Grant with that no contest against Tyson. He was unlucky to lose againsy Ruiz, even though he had Ruiz down twise with Ruiz also getting a point deducted.

Ortiz still has potential to fulfull. One loss to Maidana, a fight in which he was ahead, isn't that bad a career. He has all the skills, probably will be a world champ at some point. As it happens, I reckon he can bring the goods to the Berto fight.

Floyd Patterson's career was a strange one. Numerous esteemed records, first two time world champ, youngest ever world champ - but he hit the canvas more often than a French impressionist painter. Perhaps, it was down to balance issues or centre of gravity, who knows maybe he could have tightened it up..

One of the unluckiest champs in big match fights must be Oscar De La Hoya, he conspired to lose every single one of them. Most were majority or split decisions - for whatever reason the judges didn't like him. This from a 10 time world champ in 6 weight divisions, surely one decision could have been edged his way.

Ortiz still has potential to fulfull. One loss to Maidana, a fight in which he was ahead, isn't that bad a career. He has all the skills, probably will be a world champ at some point. As it happens, I reckon he can bring the goods to the Berto fight.

Floyd Patterson's career was a strange one. Numerous esteemed records, first two time world champ, youngest ever world champ - but he hit the canvas more often than a French impressionist painter. Perhaps, it was down to balance issues or centre of gravity, who knows maybe he could have tightened it up..

One of the unluckiest champs in big match fights must be Oscar De La Hoya, he conspired to lose every single one of them. Most were majority or split decisions - for whatever reason the judges didn't like him. This from a 10 time world champ in 6 weight divisions, surely one decision could have been edged his way.

ArchBritishchris wrote:Ortiz still has potential to fulfull. One loss to Maidana, a fight in which he was ahead, isn't that bad a career. He has all the skills, probably will be a world champ at some point. As it happens, I reckon he can bring the goods to the Berto fight.

Floyd Patterson's career was a strange one. Numerous esteemed records, first two time world champ, youngest ever world champ - but he hit the canvas more often than a French impressionist painter. Perhaps, it was down to balance issues or centre of gravity, who knows maybe he could have tightened it up..

One of the unluckiest champs in big match fights must be Oscar De La Hoya, he conspired to lose every single one of them. Most were majority or split decisions - for whatever reason the judges didn't like him. This from a 10 time world champ in 6 weight divisions, surely one decision could have been edged his way.

You can say that again

Oh wait...

On the balance of things De La Hoya had his fair share of lucky decisions too, never in a million years beat Sturm and only has himself to blame for losing to Trinidad. Other than that the results were fair

One of the unluckiest champs in big match fights must be Oscar De La Hoya, he conspired to lose every single one of them. Most were majority or split decisions - for whatever reason the judges didn't like him. This from a 10 time world champ in 6 weight divisions, surely one decision could have been edged his way.[/quote]

He did ..against Sweat Pea

Never quite understood why so many deem De la Hoya's career as 'unlucky' to be honest. He was perhaps unfortunate in the Trinidad and Mosley (second fight) affairs, but on the other hand he edged ones against Whitaker and Quartey that could have gone either way, and got away with murder against Sturm. Balances the ledger pretty evenly, methinks.

great responses guys thanks.

I too always felt Galota career was weirdo than my uncle jim

Was seconds away from career high wins that would of had him very high up there in the division against bowe and both times blew a fuse. Then was blown away in fights he should fo been competative in.

Complete head case that one

ArchBritishchris wrote:
Floyd Patterson's career was a strange one. Numerous esteemed records, first two time world champ, youngest ever world champ - but he hit the canvas more often than a French impressionist painter. Perhaps, it was down to balance issues or centre of gravity, who knows maybe he could have tightened it up..

More likely it was down to him being a light heavy weight. He only fought at heavyweight for the money.