Fighters who overcame serious disabilities or illneses to win at a world level

[dmt]

Pep

[Russell]

What was the name of that boxer who fought Dempsey... He was basically dying on his feet during the later parts of his career, but he still did really well at a very high level.

[Luigi1985]

Some of you guys make only examples who everybody knows, Janitor meant some who weren´t so famous. A good example IMO is Enrico Bertola, he died with only 26 years when he slowly entered his prime, because of serious brain injuries he suffered in the Oma fight...

[Russell]

Ah, Eugene Hart was in a wheelchair early on in his life.

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by Russell

What was the name of that boxer who fought Dempsey... He was basically dying on his feet during the later parts of his career, but he still did really well at a very high level.

Billy Miske

[DamonD]

It's not in the same league as guys like Tarleton, but Shannon Briggs won a title despite being an asthma sufferer. As one myself, I can appreciate that.

[Duodenum]

Originally Posted by My dinner with Conteh

Nice to see a mention for one of Liverpool's (and Britain's) great fighters. Nel was regarded as one of the sweetest boxers in our history, the heir to Jem Driscoll. He was never stopped either if memory serves me correctly. He was also scheduled to fight Pep before Willie's plane crash.

That is correct, Nel never was stopped, and he could be an excellent candidate for IHOF induction in Canastota. (What might Nella have achieved with two good lungs?)

[Nemesis]

Originally Posted by Duodenum

That is correct, Nel never was stopped, and he could be an excellent candidate for IHOF induction in Canastota. (What might Nella have achieved with two good lungs?)

He wont be allowed in, he's English

[Duodenum]

Originally Posted by Russell

What was the name of that boxer who fought Dempsey... He was basically dying on his feet during the later parts of his career, but he still did really well at a very high level.

Billy Miske was diagnosed with Bright's Disease in 1916, and was given five years to live, provided he quit boxing and took care of himself. Having the attitude that he'd rather die in the ring than a rocking chair, Billy adapted to the realities of his condition, and boxed another 70 bouts following his diagnosis, survivng until 1924.

Miske's official record at the time of his diagnosis was:

11W(8 KO)+0L+0D+21ND

After Billy was diagnosed with Bright's Disease, he posted an official record of:

34W(26 KO)+2L+2D+33ND

His first official loss was a 12 round decision to up and coming Kid Norfolk in October 1917. Billy's second and final defeat came nearly three years later, when he was stopped for the only time in his career challenging Jack Dempsey for the heavyweight title in their third meeting, Jack's inaugural championship defense.

Miske closed out his career after the Dempsey loss by posting an official record of:

18W(13 KO)+0L+1D+5ND

Billy finished by knocking out Bill Brennan in four rounds, seven weeks before he died of his fatal illness. Not bad for a dying man.

[Russell]

Miske was just... amazing. Honestly.

No other way to put it.

[janitor]

Originally Posted by Duodenum

Billy Miske was diagnosed with Bright's Disease in 1916, and was given five years to live, provided he quit boxing and took care of himself. Having the attitude that he'd rather die in the ring than a rocking chair, Billy adapted to the realities of his condition, and boxed another 70 bouts following his diagnosis, survivng until 1924.

Miske's official record at the time of his diagnosis was:

11W(8 KO)+0L+0D+21ND

After Billy was diagnosed with Bright's Disease, he posted an official record of:

34W(26 KO)+2L+2D+33ND

His first official loss was a 12 round decision to up and coming Kid Norfolk in October 1917. Billy's second and final defeat came nearly three years later, when he was stopped for the only time in his career challenging Jack Dempsey for the heavyweight title in their third meeting, Jack's inaugural championship defense.

Miske closed out his career after the Dempsey loss by posting an official record of:

18W(13 KO)+0L+1D+5ND

Billy finished by knocking out Bill Brennan in four rounds, seven weeks before he died of his fatal illness. Not bad for a dying man.

Tragic tragic human interest story.

Miskes life would have made a better subject for a film than Jimmy Braddock's.

[Duodenum]

Originally Posted by Nemesis

He wont be allowed in, he's English

Perhaps, but he's not forgotten here.

[Duodenum]

Originally Posted by janitor

Tragic tragic human interest story.

Miske's life would have made a better subject for a film than Jimmy Braddock's.

Over 50 years ago, Minneapolis Tribune sportswriter George A. Barton wrote a moving two page article titled, "Billy Miske's Last Christmas," which he reprinted in his 1957 autobiography, "My Lifetime in Sports."

Unfortunately, as is the case with Jimmy Braddock's story, too much time has elapsed for the modern viewing public to relate to such a story as this. (Cinderella Man should have been produced back when "Somebody Up There Likes Me" became a box office hit for Paul Newman.) Not enough people who recall Miske's times are alive now to make colorful stories like his and Mickey Walker's economically viable. Still, it could make for wonderful drama if produced with caring skill.

[China_hand_Joe]

A china chin is one thing, but becoming P4P number one with china hands is simply amazing -fullstop-

[Minotauro]

Originally Posted by Duodenum

Nelson Tarleton won multiple Lonsdale Belts despite having only one functioning lung, after having contracted TB as a kid. Nel's final record was 116W (KO 41) 20L 8D. Despite having one functioning lung, Nella went 15 rounds fifty times in a professional career that lasted nearly twenty years.

Thats amazing