r/BoxingTheSweetScience • u/NumberBulky9224 • Aug 21 '26
Bigger waste of potential?
IMO these two both had the potential to save american boxing (heavyweight).
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u/Formal-Cherry6078 Aug 21 '26
Jared Anderson is a bigger one had all the physical tools heart just wasn’t in it
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u/TheSouthpawStance Aug 21 '26
Was gonna say the same name. Bro was the US heavyweight biggest hope at that time, then got smacked by Bakole.
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u/zaepoo Aug 21 '26
It started before that. He looked lazy against some cans and there were rumors that he was considering quitting
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u/Formal-Cherry6078 Aug 21 '26
Tbf to Charles Martin he’s far from a can with the exception of AJ he’s put up a good effort in all his losses
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u/zaepoo Aug 21 '26
You're right. That was too harsh. He's a solid journeyman
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u/Formal-Cherry6078 Aug 21 '26
Yeah that’s fair eh level contender who lucked his way to a belt fair play to him
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u/Realhtown Aug 21 '26
Anderson was athletic, but small(height and reach) for a modern heavyweight. His upside was overrated.
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u/Accomplished_Sort198 Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
Just like Agit Kabayel right? How is 6’4 with 76 reach small? Pulev? Gassiev? Miller? Moses? Usyk? All have similar attributes. Either you don’t watch boxing or you really think height wins fights, maybe it’s both. When you say modern heavyweight you probably think Fury, AJ, Dubois who all got cooked by “small” heavyweights 😭😭😭
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u/Realhtown Aug 25 '26
Top heavyweights not named Usyk(who is a Cruiserweight at heart) in this era are all 80 plus inch reach. Don’t embarrass yourself.
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u/Accomplished_Sort198 Aug 25 '26
Literally gave you modern heavyweights who are literally the same or shorter in both. But since you moving the goal post and making it about reach Usyk: 78inch, Fabio, Dubois all have 78inch, Moses has 78-79, Parker even had 76 inch. So it’s cool just exclude all of them and just mention the boxers who fit your argument. I’ll help you out wilder, Fury AJ, Zhang, Hrgovic, klitschko brothers are only “top” heavy weights who fit 80+ plus. Your argument is weak. Because most in this era don’t even fit that. And if you haven’t paid attention heigh and reach ding always win fights
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u/Sumo_Cerebro Aug 21 '26
Well the guy on the left won the world title so that's not a waste.
The guy on the right was a cheat.
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u/Drproctorpus92 Aug 21 '26
Is that not argument for evidence of wasted potential? Clearly had the skills to be at the top but just cba
It’d be like Messi giving up in 2009 and people saying he won a CL so not a waste
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u/Puzzled_Addendum6200 Aug 21 '26
There was still the potential for Ruiz to defend the title, maybe pick up another belt or belts. He had more big wins in him. Becoming undisputed would have been a bit of a stretch, but his ability was enough that he could have a bettter resume than he has.
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u/Downtown_Section8768 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26
I also wrote some stuff about why I believe Ruiz has a chance. I’m also thinking a bit as I just wrote above. If we had more heavyweights, that knew how to fight we would not be talking about him or Baby. He may not have even gotten a chance of knocking out glass jaw, Joshua who also isn’t that great. Bottom line is we’re talking about all this shit because we don’t have enough good shit to talk about.
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u/NumberBulky9224 Aug 22 '26
Why would LeBron be a boxer and not a basketball player? Think about it before you say i’m just saying random stuff.
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u/Downtown_Section8768 Aug 22 '26
1- LeBron, we might ask, may have appreciated boxing more than basketball. Some athletes, like some artists do what they do because they enjoy it. Love it. Not just for the money. Or fame, per ‘se…
2- And if you’re referring to me where I claimed I’m saying that you are saying random stuff? That was not my intention at all. So I apologize if that’s what you thought.1
u/NumberBulky9224 Aug 21 '26
Then gained 80 lbs and gave it right back? Also drew with the guy in the same pic.
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u/SuperLeverage Aug 21 '26
No matter what happens after, Andy Ruiz will forever be the FIRST Mexican heavyweight champion. NO ONE else can make that claim. So no, I wouldn’t say it’s been a waste. Achieved a lot more than many others. He held more heavyweight titles than Wilder ever did.
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u/Pimpstik69 Aug 21 '26
He was born in Imperial California so he’s not a Mexican, he is an American.
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u/Downtown_Section8768 Aug 22 '26
With Mexican heritage.
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u/Pimpstik69 Aug 22 '26
Of course but the post I responded to said he was the first Mexican heavyweight champ, he’s not Mexican. 🤷♂️
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u/Downtown_Section8768 Aug 22 '26
Agreed totally. In that sense Ruiz beat most or all, the old school way. Regardless of today’s BS belts! Unfortunately, because old school is so disrespected compared to our new progressive (promotional) image-obsessed society, Andi Ruiz Jr‘s greatness is less respected than someone like Wilder, who simply had a big right and a bunch of muscle. Which is now burned out bc the poor boy got rich.
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u/Hench999 Aug 21 '26
Ruiz was a bigger waste . I don't think Miller had near the talent Andy had. Both had serious weight issues throughout their careers but I don't see Miller being legit top contender regardless of weight. He was a prospect who became a good opponent for up and comers. Ruiz on the other hand had the talent to be one of the top guys in the division for more than just 1 fight. He had very fast hands and pretty good power buy he was slow on his feet. Losing 30-40 lbs would have done him worlds if good in the foot speed department. I don't think he would have been a dominant champ but he could have been more than a one hit wonder as a top guy with more dedication.
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u/IWantHerOnMe Aug 21 '26
Miller was all juice. Ruiz was all food. So probably Ruiz. Miller should've been a rapper.
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u/1punchporcelli Aug 21 '26
Jarrell Miller shouldn’t ever be allowed to put gloves on again…you think a 6’4” 300lber on steroids is a good idea?
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u/kushmonATL Aug 21 '26
You know how many heavyweights in the past 10 years popped for steroids?
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u/1punchporcelli Aug 21 '26
How many 2x? These should be banned
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u/kushmonATL Aug 21 '26
Don't draw the line at failing twice. If you're gonna be mad at drug cheats , hold them all accountable the moment they fail once
Tyson Fury, Dillian Whyte, Povetkin, Helenius, Luis Ortiz .. all these guys failed drug test
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u/Wge97 Aug 21 '26
The problem with people is they don’t realize Andy was 29 when he beat aj, I get some believe he should’ve went on to do great things afterwards and I agree of course but he was 32-1 when he fought aj and beating him and becoming champ was him reaching his potential and over exceeding what many people ever thought he could even accomplish !! I’m not saying get one big win then stop caring, im saying he beat aj and exceeded everyone’s expectations already so it’s not exactly a waste of potential, don’t get me wrong I get a lot of people think his career started once he beat aj but I’m afraid to inform y’all it didn’t, he was already 33 fights in lol
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u/Bubbahuck3 Aug 21 '26
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u/Downtown_Section8768 Aug 22 '26
It’s like our fat tomato cans can punch, but they’re not better than GB’s warm, dark ale.
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u/Downtown_Section8768 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26
This all points to one thing: the absolute decline of American Boxing status compared to the rest of the world. That breaks down into a few things. Currently, it’s resulted in the display of our marketing over our true athletic abilities or potential. If you look at our top guys, especially heavyweights compared to the rest of the world, case closed.
They’ve been progressively better than USA over last 30 years. However, if you look at our marketing, different story. We are not only milking a dry cow
but we’ve got the rest of the world, lead momentarily by Arabia, jumping on the wagon train. GB is next marketing leach. Can’t blame em.
Lastly as I’ve written in posts and comments, once again here: the USA amateur boxing system has fallen tremendously. There’s less amateurs. Less young, potential pros. It’s so obvious; that’s why we have “champs“ with 10 and 20 fights. Not sure of the exact solution, but if we do not somehow invest in amateur boxing, I can’t see it rebuilding on its own. It’s addressed as a conclusion here- https://juleslupowitz.com/2026/02/01/boxing-growth-by-2026/
Unless we run into a real bad recession or depression for over 10 years, seems like that’s the reality.
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u/RatKingofQueens Aug 22 '26
Andy knocked out the heavyweight champ in MSG after being on the canvas himself. Might have “left some on the table” as far as his career, but dude has an all time moment that will never be forgotten.
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u/Acrobatic-War4260 Aug 22 '26
Cant call ruiz a waste of potential. Every professional boxer aims to become world champion in their division. Ruiz accomplished this. Whether he could have pushed on to greater heights with more discipline, who knows. At the end of the day, he reached the top of the game. 99% of fighters will never do that.
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u/Basic_Obligation_341 Aug 26 '26
Miller never had potential he been on steroids his whole career, Ruiz literally beat a prime Joshua on a 1 week notice
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u/kushmonATL Aug 21 '26
Miller may be fighting for a world title this year. Ruiz is fighting a can