What fighters didn't reach their prime until late in their career?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Tockah, Mar 30, 2022.


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  1. Tockah

    Tockah Ingo's Bingo Full Member

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    Not only physically but their prime as a complete fighter, the peak of their own career.

    To me the first fighter which comes to mind is Jersey Joe Walcott, and I think I would argue Foreman's real prime was in the 90's in the realm of both technique and mind. I am curious about other fighters who didn't reach their primes until ages when other boxes would be considered washed up?
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2022
    Tockah, Mar 30, 2022
    Tockah, Mar 30, 2022
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  2. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s banned Full Member

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    What do you consider prime? Just the peak of ability?
     
    Journeyman92, Mar 30, 2022
    Journeyman92, Mar 30, 2022
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  3. Gazelle Punch

    Gazelle Punch Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I’ll disagree about Foreman. He was a much more paced fighter in the 90s but he lost a lot of speed.
    Marciano didn’t even start boxing till late. Antonio Tarver is another. Archie Moore hit his vest stride from like 32-38. You’re right about Walcott
     
    Gazelle Punch, Mar 30, 2022
    Gazelle Punch, Mar 30, 2022
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  4. Tockah

    Tockah Ingo's Bingo Full Member

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    I agree Foreman lost a lot of speed. But he could still throw punches like a missile, I think i saw a larger affect his speed had on his guard and his ability to smother and block punches. I think that was a large reason he incorporated the cross guard, no longer were his reflexes so sharp and his long guard was less reliable.
     
    Tockah, Mar 30, 2022
    Tockah, Mar 30, 2022
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  5. Tockah

    Tockah Ingo's Bingo Full Member

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    Yeah, not entirely physically speaking but as a fighter in general.
     
    Tockah, Mar 30, 2022
    Tockah, Mar 30, 2022
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  6. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s banned Full Member

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    Always felt like McCallum hit his best days a bit later. Maybe he just had better opponents and was always a consistent monster? Not sure on Mr Body-Snatcher. Kostya Tszyu's best days where a bit after Vince Phillips. He matured a lot as a fighter. Toney had his best fight after his best days too but that's not really what you asked.
     
    Journeyman92, Mar 30, 2022
    Journeyman92, Mar 30, 2022
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  7. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Bernard Hopkins.
    He won the title in his 30s and just seemed to get better with each fight after.
     
    ETM, Mar 30, 2022
    ETM, Mar 30, 2022
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  8. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Edwin Valero and Salvador Sanchez
     
    NoNeck, Mar 30, 2022
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  9. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Bob Foster.
    He won the title at 30, then went on to make 13 defenses, 11 by stoppage or KO.
    stay safe amigos.
     
    Mike Cannon, Mar 30, 2022
    Mike Cannon, Mar 30, 2022
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  10. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Daniel Zaragoza, despite a lot of miles, probably had the most consistent and impressive stretch of his career in the last few years of it.
     
    ChrisJS, Mar 30, 2022
    ChrisJS, Mar 30, 2022
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  11. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Lennox Lewis.
     
    Fergy, Mar 30, 2022
    Fergy, Mar 30, 2022
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  12. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Archie Moore.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Mar 31, 2022
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  13. johnmaff36

    johnmaff36 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Dennis Andries
     
    johnmaff36, Mar 31, 2022
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  14. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    Marvin (Pops) Johnson
     
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  15. Rope-a-Dope

    Rope-a-Dope Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    There's guys like Duilio Loi who might fit this criteria, but it's hard to say because he didn't fight top competitors until near the end of his career.
     
    Rope-a-Dope, Mar 31, 2022
    Rope-a-Dope, Mar 31, 2022
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