All time greats that started boxing very late

This cat got a very late start and u better believe he was an ATG!!
http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Tiger_Flowers

 

Tancy Lee was 24, Jimmy Dupree was 25 and both Jesse Burnett and Pascual Perez were 26. Whatever the definition is, they were all world class.

 

Marciano also fought under another name- Mack (something). I'll try to find it and post it.

 

Sonny Liston started his amateur career in 1952 and his pro career in 1953.

He was born anywhere from 1928 until 1932. That would make him from 20 to 24 when he started boxing as an amateur.

 

Amateur careerMarciano's amateur record was 8–4.[3] While awaiting discharge, Marciano, representing the army, won the 1946 Amateur Armed Forces boxing tournament. His amateur career was interrupted on March 17, 1947, when Marciano stepped into the ring as a professional competitor. That night, he knocked out Lee Epperson in three rounds. In an unusual move Marciano returned to the amateur ranks and fought in the Golden Gloves All-East Championship Tournament in March 1948. He was beaten by Coley Wallace.[4] He continued to fight as an amateur throughout the spring and competed in the AAU Olympic tryouts in the Boston Garden. There, he knocked out George McInnis, but hurt his hands during the bout and was forced to withdraw from the tournament. That was his last amateur bout.[5]

In late March, 1947, Marciano and several friends traveled to Fayetteville, North Carolina, to try out for the Fayetteville Cubs, a farm team for the Chicago Cubs baseball team.[6] Marciano lasted three weeks before being cut. After failing to find a spot on another team, he returned to Brockton and began boxing training with longtime friend, Allie Colombo. Al Weill and Chick Wergeles served as his managers and Charley Goldman as his trainer and teacher.

 

You are right, he made his pro debut as Rocky Mack, so to 'protect' his amateur status.