Fighters with the biggest post-career reputation boosts?

George Foreman and his grills, Mike Tyson as he makes cameo appearances in movies.

 

I don't see him as protected at all. At the time he fought Lacy and Kessler they were both undefeated at clearly the top guys in the division at that time. Protected fighter don't take fights like that. I agree Jones was at the end and past his best but Hopkins went on to beat Tarver, Pascal, Pavlik, Cloud, Wright etc and was still an elite fighter that fought on for more than a decade after they faced each other against top competition at 175.

Outside of Ottke who would not fight anywhere but Germany , Calzaghe fought everyone that was available at 168 whether you think they were good or not, he ducked no one. He could have avoided Kessler who was destroying everyone at the time but he didn't.

 

Charles was the one who immediately sprung to mind for me as well. His wins over Moore appreciated hugely in hindsight.

 

If I Remember correctly he pulled out of the Johnson fight because of his hand. I know he had brittle hands that bothered him throughout his career. I do think he would have cleanly beat Johnson with his speed and volume.

I really wish the Ottke fight would have happened but I don't blame Joe for not wanting to go to Germany especially after watching what happened to Ried, Brewer and Mitchel. I think Joe would outwork Ottke and take UD if they ever would have fought. I know a lot of folks don't like Ottke but I thought he was a very good boxer and a tricky guy to beat but Joe's handspeed would be the difference between those two.

 

All those good fighters after their retire started a good business, didnt break the laws, didnt scandalize or make crazy things...even Tyson has a good reputation today.

 

Hello!

 

Morales and Barrera.
People starting to realize that these two are better than DLH and Trinidad

 

I feel the Wlad isn't yet properly appreciated. He was really one of the more dominant champs in heavyweight history.

Jersey Joe Walcott is one that astounds me. He was rightly viewed as nothing more than a journeyman who lasted until the quality of the division receded to his level post-war. Now he's treated like some sort of wizard of lost incantations who revolutionized the game.

 

Rocky Lockridge

 

Exactly what I came in to say.

Others:

The entire Murderer’s Row
Luis Rodriguez
Sumbu Kalambay
Ernesto Marcel
Chang (in the West, anyway) and Zapata
Midget Wolgast
Carlos Ortiz

 

If Rez had had some 1920s newspaper clippings, he'd have held them in his left hand, believe me. He'd have needed that right hand to be freed up.

 

Pretty much every Super Fly outside of Galaxy.

Rafael Herrera and Chucho Castillo
Lionel Rose
Orlando Canizales