Boxing: 5 amazing performances by otherwise forgettable fighters

Not all fighters are capable of being great, but many are capable of putting on a great performance.

Certain fighters can languish in mediocrity for their entire career, until they have one magic moment that becomes their signature performance, which can be equally satisfying and frustrating, when looking at the big picture.

Here are five unforgettable performances from otherwise forgettable fighters.

Kermit Cintron vs. Alfredo Angulo

It was a small miracle Cintron ever held a world title, considering he was previously beaten to literal tears and had an adverse reaction to pressure.

Written off as a has-been ahead of his fight with the undefeated and crude Angulo, Cintron rose above his shortcomings in a magnificent performance. Using his skill to defuse Angulo, Cintron easily outboxed his opponent for the signature win of his otherwise ordinary career.

Zahir Raheem vs. Erik Morales

An unheralded 1996 Olympian, Raheem was supposed to be filler for Morales ahead of a third fight with Manny Pacquiao, but Raheem forgot to follow the script.

Morales was unable to do much, other than follow Raheem around the ring and throw punches at thin air. It wasn’t a fun performance — none of Raheem’s fights were — but Raheem won a clear decision over a future legend.

Though Raheem had this night, it was the sole highlight of his career, up until his retirement in 2014.

Devon Alexander vs. Marcos Maidana

Alexander was hailed as a potential superstar, but after he lost to Timothy Bradley, in a fight where many said he quit, the potential was seemingly squandered.

Though Alexander struggled to make any sort of adjustment to deviate from the game plan, being average was all it took for him to dominate the ferocious Maidana in his welterweight debut.

Alexander beat Maidana before Maidana's win over Adrien Broner, and Alexander handled Maidana easier in one fight than Floyd Mayweather did in two, a testament of how good he could have been.

Tommy Morrison vs. George Foreman

What was perceived as Foreman’s easiest chance to win the heavyweight title blew up in his face.

Morrison knew Foreman was itching to fight, so Morrison fought against type and boxed a disciplined fight to avoid Foreman’s power. This threw Foreman off, and he couldn’t recover.

Morrison notched the biggest win of his career, especially considering Foreman won the title in his next fight.

Vernon Forrest vs. Shane Mosley

Mosley was the biggest name in boxing, after he defeated Oscar De La Hoya, and many wondered why he insisted on facing Forrest.

A common foil back to their amateur days, Forrest was not a well-known fighter and was being ducked by all major contenders, but Mosley wanted to settle the score.

Forrest had Mosley’s number in the amateur ranks, but also at the professional level. Forrest dominated and dropped the iron-chinned Mosley to win a shocking decision. Forrest repeated the feat in their next fight, but injuries and an untimely death took away what could have been a legendary career.

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