Fighters who retired after a valiant performance in their last fight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Dec 22, 2020.


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  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Who are some fighters that retired on a high note after giving their all in a hard fought fight, whether it be a win, lose, or draw?
    First guy to come to mind would be Wladimir Klitschko against Anthony Joshua. Even though he got stopped he gave arguably his gutsiest performance in his career. I would say it's a fitting way to end your career from a FOTY event.
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2020
    Flo_Raiden, Dec 22, 2020
    Flo_Raiden, Dec 22, 2020
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  2. Showstopper97

    Showstopper97 The Icon Full Member

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    - Ali against Berbick
    - Foreman against Briggs (should have won but was robbed).
    - Lewis vs V Klitschko
     
    Showstopper97, Dec 22, 2020
    Showstopper97, Dec 22, 2020
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  3. El Gallo Negro

    El Gallo Negro Active Member banned Full Member

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    Grorge Foreman
    Mickey Ward
    Michael Spinks
     
    El Gallo Negro, Dec 22, 2020
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  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    In a weird way, Oakland Billy Smith. Smith is famous for a fair bit if you're weird, most of all his bizarre KO of Johnson, but he's also known as a strange fighter and a quitter. I love that his last fight was one in which he repeatedly pulled himself off the canvas in against a much bigger man and puncher. Smith is interesting, lots happened in his career that was fascinating and his last fight against Holman Williams, after months of inactivity, while working as a prison guard. The fight was filmed but hasn't surfaced.

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    McGrain, Dec 22, 2020
    McGrain, Dec 22, 2020
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  5. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Billy Miske comes to mind, beating Brennan as a dying man.
     
    Seamus, Dec 22, 2020
    Seamus, Dec 22, 2020
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  6. Devon

    Devon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ike Ibeabuchi
     
    Devon, Dec 22, 2020
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  7. The Senator

    The Senator Active Member Full Member

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    This has to be the first one that comes to mind here.
     
    The Senator, Dec 22, 2020
    The Senator, Dec 22, 2020
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  8. NickChristo

    NickChristo Member Full Member

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    Jung Koo Chang - Muanghchai Kittikasem should've been mentioned in the OP.
     
    NickChristo, Dec 22, 2020
    NickChristo, Dec 22, 2020
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  9. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    Michael Carbajal after beating Jorge Arce
     
    Thread Stealer, Dec 22, 2020
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  10. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Marvin Hagler essentially retired after defeating Ray Leonard in April of 1987. The legendary champion Hagler was able to endure the fouls of Leonard and still chase him all over the ring. Cementing Marvin reputation as one of the toughest ever. He even had nuts of steel as Ray can testify.
     
    ETM, Dec 22, 2020
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  11. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    Was gonna mention these two myself.

    I'd add Zaragoza vs Morales also.
     
    George Crowcroft, Dec 22, 2020
    George Crowcroft, Dec 22, 2020
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  12. clum

    clum Member Full Member

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    Marvin Johnson. It was apparent from the first round that he had absolutely nothing left for the second Stewart fight and he just kept going.

    Herol Graham. He was nearing 40, he'd spent his entire career struggling to get world title shots, and he was right there with a man ten years younger (actually knocked him down twice) before getting stopped.

    Ernesto Marcel of course beat Arguello in his last fight. Hard to go out on a higher note than that.
     
    clum, Dec 22, 2020
    clum, Dec 22, 2020
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  13. Gleasons Gym

    Gleasons Gym Member Full Member

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    Miguel Cotto last fight.
     
    Gleasons Gym, Dec 22, 2020
    Gleasons Gym, Dec 22, 2020
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  14. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

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    Duk Koo Kim. And Johnny Owen. I don't need to explain those choices.
     
    roughdiamond, Dec 23, 2020
    roughdiamond, Dec 23, 2020
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  15. LoadedGlove

    LoadedGlove Boxing Addict Full Member

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    On a very prosaic level, Swindon Heavyweight Eddie Neilson. He had already lost bravely to Joe Bugner and Frank Bruno when he was matched on an Albert Hall undercard with unbeaten Cardiff prospect Rudi Pika in an eight rounder.
    The fight was a heart twisting war with both guys shaking each other to their boots. Going into the seventh, it was anybody's, with Neilson maybe even a nose in front, when Eddie's left eye swelled shut and the Ref stopped the the contest. He was devastated, coming off two painful defeats he still put absolutely everything he had into a fight where he was, again, a stepping stone.
    The late, great Harry Mullen wrote, " It's hard to say retire when you've just taken an unbeaten prospect to the very edge but I can't help feeling nervous every time I see Neilson in a Boxing ring these days ".
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2020
    LoadedGlove, Dec 23, 2020
    LoadedGlove, Dec 23, 2020
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