Boxers who came back from serious injuries to recapture their past glory?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Arcane, Feb 4, 2013.


  1. Arcane

    Arcane One More Time Full Member

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    How many can you think of? by serious injury I don't mean a strained muscle or twisted ankle.

    Obviously there's SRL who suffered a detached retina but came back to defeat Marvin Hagler for the MW title but there's some dispute as to how badly Leanard's eye was damaged (apparently it had healed even before he retired).

    Another more recent one is Andre Dirrell who suffered 'neurological damage' ie a brain injury after being brutally KO'd by Abraham while he was on his knees. Only a few weeks later a harrowing video surfaced where clearly Dirrell seemed distressed and 'not all there' as the damage to his brain caused some sort of memory loss as was evident when he was asked what his doctors name was and Dirrell could only look vacantly into the lens of the camera clearly struggling to recollect, but Dirrell being a warrior overcame his case of cryptorchidism and just last week he beat Michael Gbenga in stunning fashion to solidify his status as one of the best to have never done it.

    Now that's two examples are there any more? :think
     
    Arcane, Feb 4, 2013
    Arcane, Feb 4, 2013
    #1
  2. SugarShane_24

    SugarShane_24 ESB good-looking member Full Member

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    Willie Pep nearly got his career ended due to a plane crash, yet he went back and still kept the title until Sandy Saddler took it away from him.
     
    SugarShane_24, Feb 4, 2013
    SugarShane_24, Feb 4, 2013
    #2
  3. moparfan

    moparfan ESB's glass jawed fraud Full Member

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    Vinny Pazienza came back from a serious car crash.
     
    moparfan, Feb 4, 2013
    moparfan, Feb 4, 2013
    #3
  4. HawkFan16

    HawkFan16 Unshot/In My Prime Full Member

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    An unorthodox example, but Ron Lyle started boxing in prison, and while in prison got stabbed and was declared clinically dead on the operating table twice from blood loss, but eventually got out of jail and had a pretty successful career.

    I think Frank Bruno had some kind of eye injury in his amateur career, and was put out of action for a time, but returned and had a successful career.

    Aaron Pyror I believe was shot by his wife at some point in the early 1980s. Can't remember exactly where or when, but I think it screwed up a unification fight with Saoul Mamby.
     
    HawkFan16, Feb 4, 2013
    HawkFan16, Feb 4, 2013
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  5. victor879

    victor879 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Miguel Cotto almost lost his right arm in a car crash. Happened early though, don't know about "recapturing past glory."
     
    victor879, Feb 4, 2013
    victor879, Feb 4, 2013
    #5
  6. MVC

    MVC Boxing Junkie banned

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    Floyd Mayweather retired for 21 months (Advised by the doctors) in order to have his body healed.
     
    MVC, Feb 4, 2013
    MVC, Feb 4, 2013
    #6
  7. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

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    Carlos Monzon got shot in the arm by his wife.

    Vitali Klitschko retired for 4+ years from supposed injuries, mostly his shoulder.
     
    Nonito Smoak, Feb 4, 2013
    Nonito Smoak, Feb 4, 2013
    #7
  8. jawbreaker

    jawbreaker Active Member Full Member

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    Changed him as a boxer, he was never the same.
     
    jawbreaker, Feb 4, 2013
    jawbreaker, Feb 4, 2013
    #8
  9. Bogotazo

    Bogotazo Amateur Full Member

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    Well, Marquez did break his back before embarking on his professional career. Sadly, his hairline continued to recede.
     
    Bogotazo, Feb 4, 2013
    Bogotazo, Feb 4, 2013
    #9
  10. Sweet-D-Willy

    Sweet-D-Willy Tha Realest Full Member

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    Rios after being diagnosed with down syndrome.
     
    Sweet-D-Willy, Feb 4, 2013
    Sweet-D-Willy, Feb 4, 2013
    #10
  11. victor879

    victor879 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yep. This is something I always pointed out to people when I would tell them why his right hand had suspect power and he was so left hand dominant.

    He had to be. His right was severely damaged. I understand when some diehards would accuse me of hating, I like Cotto too, but it is a legitimate weakness Cotto has. Who knows what kind of fighter he could have become without that car accident.
     
    victor879, Feb 4, 2013
    victor879, Feb 4, 2013
    #11
  12. Stilt Skinner?

    Stilt Skinner? Active Member Full Member

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    :good first one I thought of I think he had 2 broken vertebrae and screws in his head or something.
     
    Stilt Skinner?, Feb 4, 2013
    Stilt Skinner?, Feb 4, 2013
    #12
  13. elchivito

    elchivito master betty Full Member

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    I remember Vernon Forrest having many, many surgeries post Mayorga and regaining the title at 154.
     
    elchivito, Feb 4, 2013
    elchivito, Feb 4, 2013
    #13