Appreciating the professional opponents

These guys are the mainstay of boxing. They are there to be the opponents usually for hometown fighters and up and commers. They take their beating, pack their bags and get ready for their next fight.

But have there been any "professional opponents" who have gone on to realise any potential and won titles?

The one who springs to mind was Steve Robinson (did he fight after Naz beat him?).

Jimmy Braddock BECAME one after a very promising career seemed to have gone down the tubes.

HumanWindmill wrote:Jimmy Braddock BECAME one after a very promising career seemed to have gone down the tubes.

He was fighting at a time when ....nah. Done that already.

The cinderella man. Good one windy.

azania wrote:The cinderella man. Good one windy.

It was actually Damon Runyon I believe.

Saoul Mamby; the absolute definition of a 'gatekeeper' to a division, a solid professional at 135 lb or 140 lb who could be relied upon to give a decent fight and experience to a big name or and up and comer, but could also always be relied upon to lose on points. But eventually became a world champion and made half a dozen or so defences of the WBC Light-Welterweight title, even scoring a win over De Jesus.

Emannuel Augustus has been used as a stepping stone for a lot of young American talent and fighters trying to rebuild their career. Never been a world champion but has fought a fair few before they were champs including Floyd Mayweather and David Diaz.

prettyboy1304 wrote:Emannuel Augustus has been used as a stepping stone for a lot of young American talent and fighters trying to rebuild their career. Never been a world champion but has fought a fair few before they were champs including Floyd Mayweather and David Diaz.

Didn't Floyd refer to him as the best fighter he fought?

azania wrote:

prettyboy1304 wrote:Emannuel Augustus has been used as a stepping stone for a lot of young American talent and fighters trying to rebuild their career. Never been a world champion but has fought a fair few before they were champs including Floyd Mayweather and David Diaz.

Didn't Floyd refer to him as the best fighter he fought?

Think he meant up until the point of the fight.

prettyboy1304 wrote:Emannuel Augustus has been used as a stepping stone for a lot of young American talent and fighters trying to rebuild their career. Never been a world champion but has fought a fair few before they were champs including Floyd Mayweather and David Diaz.

Isn't that missing the original point of the article? The guy hasn't realised his potential & gone on to win anything, if anything he's gone on to becoming a decent journeyman after a 'better' start to his career.

I was gonna mention Dennis Andries but I think he did better than expected late on in his career rather than starting as a journeyman. Anybody know much of him before he got the breaks?

sohotnot wrote:

prettyboy1304 wrote:Emannuel Augustus has been used as a stepping stone for a lot of young American talent and fighters trying to rebuild their career. Never been a world champion but has fought a fair few before they were champs including Floyd Mayweather and David Diaz.

Isn't that missing the original point of the article? The guy hasn't realised his potential & gone on to win anything, if anything he's gone on to becoming a decent journeyman after a 'better' start to his career.

I was gonna mention Dennis Andries but I think he did better than expected late on in his career rather than starting as a journeyman. Anybody know much of him before he got the breaks?

He did win an IBA title at Welterweight but I know what you mean. He did achieve his potential that was as good as he could be. He has had a decent career fought a good few top fighters (lost to them all) and earned good money.

Would add Glen Johnson, there was a large part of his career where he was nothing more than an opponent, altough a world class opponent, he definitely changed that, although still goes by the name 'The Road Warrior'.

The Galveston Giant wrote:Would add Glen Johnson, there was a large part of his career where he was nothing more than an opponent, altough a world class opponent, he definitely changed that, although still goes by the name 'The Road Warrior'.

Great shout with Johnson looked for a while like he might not be a champ after he lost 2 fights after his defeat to Bhop in 97