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

Sergio Martinez

 

Arguably Calzaghe. Pre-Lacy he was looking for war. Similar with Barrera pre-Hamed.

Kalambay surely. That run, wow. Nobody saw that coming. He was supposed to be an easy tune-up for Herol Graham before #1 rated Graham faced Barkley for the vacant title.

 

Lennox Lewis

 

RJJ

 

Mexico's brutally difficult flyweight (and sub-fly) divisions in the 1970s and 1980s meant that a lot of guys took years to claw their way out, and once they'd reached world level they didn't have a whole lot left.

Gabriel Bernal didn't get a world title shot until ten years into his career, at which point he demolished undefeated champion Koji Kobayashi, stopped the tough and skilled Antoine Montero, and had a couple of close (some would say controversial) fights with the terrific Sot Chitalada before going over the hill.

Lupe Madera did a lot of work as a sparring partner while toiling in the '70s, finally broke out in the early '80s and won a title in a four-fight rivalry with Katsuo Tokashiki. He retired after getting KO'd to lose the belt.

Pedro Flores didn't have a particularly distinguished record while fighting domestic opposition from 1973-78, but a nice run from 1979-80 got him a shot at Yoko Gushiken. He lost a close fight, won the rematch, and then lost in his first defense. He fought one more fight, against Madera actually, and retired after the loss.

 

No mention of Wlad yet?

 

Beat me to it.

 

Steve Collins

And get this, Hagler. It was the Hearns fight, his second from last win, that pushed him to stardom.

 

I was thinking of the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Lennox Lewis, Jim Watt maybe even Carlos Monzon and feeling quite happy with myself but this is a real response. You know your stuff, Clum, or certainly your lighter weight Mexicans. No offence to any other contributors but this, hands down, is the most informative and relevant post. Good work, fella.

 

Jersey Joe Walcott, although to say he actually had a prime is a stretch — he did put together his best run later in his career though. It was just a very short prime/peak.

 

Never the easiest to watch but Johnny Nelson's best results and performances came at an age when most Boxers are retiring.

 

Shawn Porter and Ray Beltran

 

Great shout came here to say this. Even more so sober I believe he got into the game relatively late and still peaked at his most mature.

 

Lennox is the first name that springs to mind.

 

Nate Campbell