Jersey Joe Walcott retired at 27 years old in 1941 after not making much impact he came back after a three year lay off unsuccessfully fought for the title four times and then in 1951 at nearly 38 years old beat Ezzard Charles for the heavyweight title. I'd say Cassius Clay/Ali and George Foreman could certainly campaign for being the most determined in their pursuit of claiming the heavyweight championship but is anyone else comparable to Jersey Joe Walcott?
He was, a very determined guy. Anyone else would have said screw this, after the second Louis fight. But to keep on, win the title eventually then fight like mad to defend it against rocky. Tough guy.
Jersey Joe Walcott! He was a local hero where we used to live, in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area. I actually saw his first professional fight, in Vineland, against Cowboy Wallace. It was years later before I realized that Arnold Cream was Jersey Joe Walcott.
Yes and hunger. True hunger where he would literally fight to eat. He had no choice. Fight or starve. To do that at the top level he sure had determination.
That is a genuinely interesting question. I get the idea that Walcott's main drive, was not so much winning the title, as putting food on the table. He had a lot of children, and he took in other peoples children, when they couldn't take care of them. That was his determination. When he started his successful comeback, he didn't even have enough money to buy coal. He invested most of his comeback earnings in motels, to ensure his long term financial security. His entire career was spent chasing financial security, and perhaps that is why he beat the odds?
Holyfield was one of the guttier Heavyweight Champions I've seen fight. Ali & Frazier would rank high as well ..