Belly's Gonna Getcha

Who are the right fat bar stewards who ruined a great or potentially great career by surrendering to gluttony We've got Duran, Hatton and Bowe as standout examples (despite achieving a great, good or fair amount).

I put forward Buster Mathis Sr - watch his fight against Smoking Joe and see how easily he floated around until he ran out of gas - probably 20-30 pounds too heavy at the least. A serious mover that might have rivalled the titans of that Era but was weighed down by his own bulk. Then there is Buster Douglas who after triumphing against the baddest man on the planet fought Holyfield looking like he was bursting at the seams. Too much too soon for Buster I think.

Thats not even Potentially great

Whilst not strictly a bloater always thought Joan Guzman's lack of discipline around his weight robbed us of an excellent fighter, when focussed and fit had some truly sublime defensive skills. Always thought he could have been special if only he could have been bothered.

I wonder if that loss will galvanise him into realising that talent.

I bought that Solis was a phenomenal fighter that had he fought at 220lbs throughout his pro career he could be the top guy at heavyweight and would have beaten vitali no doubt

Duran didn't help himself out by bloating up in weight but had to go up to fight the guys like hagler, hearns etc

Except from heavies I can't think of many who ruined careers as fighters naturaly grow so going up 5/7 lbs a weight divison isn't a big deal. The one so can think of (Morales and hatton to name 2) don't ruin grea careers but shorten it somewhat

Didn't Jamie Moore used to carry a bit of timber between fights?

Too hard to say with Solis for me because top amateurs dont neccessarily make top pros.

I think Toney could have done alot more had he kept his gut in check.

Toney is the big one here for me, shocking waste of talent. On a more domestic level Gavin Rees would have been better off being a career Lightweight, always carried a bit of flab at Lightwelter for no good reason.

Toney's an excellent shout as is Solis. But I think there are two heavies we've missed off the list: Danny Williams (whose trainer should have been listed as Mr Kipling) and Christobal Arreola whose supplements seemingly include a gargantuan amount of tacos.

Fernando Vargas always was a bit chunky between his bouts too.

Greg Page had the skill to become one of the greatest of alltime.....Lost a contentious decision to Witherspoon when he was way out of shape..Holmes took the IBF to avoid him.....

He was all the tools....But liked his ice cream..

Thought Holmes was always pudgy, but carried it much better than the eighties fat plodders.