Brook vs Spence Jr: Remembering five American talents who didn't fulfil their potential
Friday 26 May 2017 12:49, UK
Errol Spence Jr arrives to fight Kell Brook as one of America's most feted boxing prospects. But he isn't the first - Sky Sports remember five fighters who couldn't carry the burden of expectation...
Ricardo Williams Jr
Incredible optimism turned to desperate regret for the many who tipped 'Slicky Ricky' for the top. A silver medallist at the 2000 Olympics, the light-middleweight from Ohio possessed every attribute (including charisma) to illuminate the pro game.
He banked a reported $1.4million bonus for turning professional but, after nine unbeaten fights, he was stunningly upset by 15-6 journeyman Juan Valenzuela (a short-notice replacement in the bout). Critics began to note a physique that suggested Williams enjoyed life's excesses while, inside the ring, his amateur style wasn't adapting to the rougher pro ranks.
A second defeat dimmed the expectation when it became clear that Williams lacked the desire to match his skill. His problems were just beginning - a prison sentence followed in 2005 and, upon his release, a one-sided defeat to Carson Jones ended any lingering hopes.
Michael Williams
He once flattened a prime Mike Tyson in sparring… or so they said. It is a claim that came from Tyson's former manager and promoter Bill Cayton, and has never been verified. Little in Williams' own career suggested the rumour might be true.
Built like a mountain, the Louisiana heavyweight represented his country at the 1984 Olympics and was named The Ring Magazine's 'prospect of the year' in 1986. At a time when Tyson ruled the roost, his future competition seemed obvious.
A win over James Tillis suggested the hype behind 'Mercury' Williams was justified but, after 13 wins, the wheels slowly came off. He was outpointed by Tim Witherspoon, before stoppage defeats to 'Buster' Douglas, Alex Garcia and Corrie Sanders. His career ended without ever threatening the world's elite, with a 22-6 record, although somehow the hype lived on. Williams landed a role in Rocky V as Union Cane, the fictional world heavyweight champion. He promptly lost inside a round to Tommy Gunn.
Jaidon Codrington
One half of the 'Chin Checkers' alongside bolshie pal Curtis Stevens, Codrington was a loud-mouth prospect out of New York who briefly turned himself into a media darling.
Light-heavyweight Codrington, in the early 2000s, made a name for himself by publically gambling with Stevens about who could knock out their respective opponents quicker. It was a ploy that gained attention but Codrington boasted the results (and the amateur pedigree) to back up the bragging.
Then, his first fight on American national TV. Codrington, at 9-0, was knocked out of the ring within 18 seconds by Allan Green in The Ring Magazine's 'knockout of the year'.
Codrington tried to reinvent himself on The Contender in 2007, a reality TV show featuring a boxing tournament, but lost the final to Sadio Bika. The 'Chin Checkers' were no more.
Jeff Lacy
Even British connoisseurs doubted the chances of Joe Calzaghe, the unbeaten world champion, when Jeff Lacy visited in 2006. 'Left Hook' Lacy arrived as America's worst kept secret and owned the IBF super-middleweight title to back up the hysteria.
During an era when American boxing was stronger than in Britain, Florida's Lacy was seen as a smaller version of Mike Tyson with his powerful punching. Calzaghe, at 40-0, had precisely double Lacy's wins and had been WBO champion for nine years but the Welshman was considered an underdog on both sides of the pond.
What followed was a one-sided masterclass from Calzaghe - Lacy's nose was bloodied inside a round, and he hit the canvas for the first time in the 12th.
Losses to Jermain Taylor and Roy Jones Jr soon followed for Lacy, who was left in the rear-view mirror, another touted prospect who failed to recapture the form expected of him.
Seth Mitchell
'Mayhem' Mitchell might have had his choice of sports, such was the athletic prowess that he demonstrated in his youth, but choosing boxing never panned out as he hoped.
American football beckoned during college until his focus switched to the ring - his 10-fight amateur career was a token gesture before his immense physical attributes were spotted by Golden Boy Promotions, who signed him after one pro win.
Televised victories on undercards of events belonging to Bernard Hopkins, Amir Khan and 'Canelo' Alvarez suggested he was getting a promotional push. Even his first pro defeat to Johnathon Banks was immediately redeemed in a rematch. What followed has never been avenged.
Mitchell's late start in the sport was exposed by Chris Arreola, a former world title challenger, in a knockout defeat three years ago. There was an alarming disparity in ability, and Mitchell hasn't been seen since.
Watch Brook vs Spence Jr, from Bramall Lane, Sheffield, May 27, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Book the event online here or via your Sky remote.
