Tiger Woods just made the greatest comeback in sports history, what were the best comebacks in the sport of boxing though? Fury? Ali after the 3 year lay off?
I would certainly put Leanord's comeback win in 87 up there... Problem is he still only fought very sporadically after the Hagler win, and won even less sporadically.
Two ahead of him, Foreman's ten yr lay off and winning the title again some 6 yrs after he returned is probably number one in my book, Than Ali's comeback after being forced to retire for 3yrs and winning the title again 6yrs after that forced retirement against Foreman who was completely destroying everyone put in front of him in a boxing ring and before the fight was not only expected to beat Ali, but possibly would seriously hurt him . I would also place Marvin Johnson's re -winning the Lt.Heavy Championship from the undefeated and dangerous Leslie Stewart almost 8 yrs after he lost it to Eddie Mustafa is also higher in my opinion . Especially when considering Johnson was considered shot when he defeated Stewart.
It was frankly impressive, but a few steps short of Greatest level ... Why it was impressive: 1) Long layoff 2) Fighting above his normal weight 3) Hagler was unbeaten and motivated Why it wasn't: 1) Hagler, while unbeaten, was far from his best 2) He used his position as the draw to insist on conditions that favored him hugely (ring size, gloves, 12 rounds) 3) He never intended to defend the title; he re-retired immediately afterwards Still, the odds were hugely against Leonard, both in terms of Vegas and common opinion; his win (controversial as it still is) was a surprise. But for true greatest comebacks, I'd give both Ali and Foreman more props, with the nod to Ali for winning the title from Foreman (hey, irony!) who was still at his best and seen as unstoppable. Foreman does get respect for his age, but Moorer, while game, was a fighter who could be taken. Just my .02 ...
Tiger Woods hasn't been dead or not playing for the last 10 years. Just a few big injuries and the fallout from cheating on his wife but you can be winning tournaments in your mid to late 40s in golf so it might be the greatest comeback in golf but no way is it the greatest in sports history. Roger Federer coming back from injury and winning 3 grand slams and reaching world no.1 again after 5 years of winning nothing at the ancient tennis age of 36, I think is a greater feat than Woods. But Foreman's comeback after 10 years of no boxing at all and getting fatter than an airship during it, tops it all and is the greatest comeback in sports history.
Foreman wasn`t that great when he came back though, the happy ending was really unlikely and impressive, but more romantic than anything else.
I don`t think it would have been wise of Ray to have defended the title, how long could he have gone on for, he was far more impressive at welter, he tarnished the Hagler win by coming back against Lalonde, he should have just walked off into the sunset.
Ali achieved far more than Foreman did when they both came back decades apart, but yes Foreman was a lot older, however Ali (early 70`s version) would beaten all of George`s comeback opponents fairly easily, maybe evden Holy, he was quick but nowhere near the level he reached when beating Bowe in the rematch, the fighters Foreman beat in the 90`s weren`t that good, Frazier and young Foreman were miles above those 90`s heavies.
No, Ray looked for Hagler to slip to comeback and fight him, which is why I don't think the win is as great as some think it is. Hagler was inactive since Hearns or at least fought only once in two years. Ray saw how he slipped and then said, I want to fight Marvin Hagler. Ray is smart, but the Hagler who fought Hearns would have been much harder. I do think Ray had a great style to beat Marvin, but that Marvin would have been tougher. Sharper.