Saeki is a wasted potential
I actually started this post trying to defend Saeki and say he's actually underrated, then I remembered his fight against Sendo, and yeah, I can't defend this man.
Saeki was an elite amateur boxer, and we're talking about a world elite level (yeah, in the Class A Tournament he was the closest to Volg).
His sparring against Date was so good that even Okita praised him.
His coach said that "Barcelona was a sure thing," so he was definitely an amateur world-class boxer.
He dominated Ippo (not a feat because Ippo was always the underdog) and lost because he was not expecting the blind counter and overthought.
Ok, I was writing this post defending Saeki and thinking, "Ok, this man lost to Ippo, Itagaki, and...?" Then I remembered his loss to Sendo.
HE LOST TO SENDO IN THE FIRST ROUND BECAUSE OF SENDO'S PRESSURE, FEINTS, AND SAKKI (BLOODLUST)?
He was the potential man, and Morikawa gave him to Sendo to destroy and be more of a menace. against Ippo.
I don't know if his mental state was in shambles because of the fight against Ippo or if it was a bad decision by Morikawa.