Boxers you used to dislike but have grown to like?

Amir Khan, I thought he was a hype job and gifted a world title. He beat the ghost of Barrera and seemed to be very arrogant about it.

He later showed he was willing to take on big challenges. He defended his title against his mandatory when it was Maidana who was very dangerous and they had a foty contender. Khan took on a lot of top opposition once he was established at world level.

 

Terence Crawford used to over-respond to every negative comment about him on Twitter, which got annoying fast, but he’s chilled out as he’s gotten older, and he seems like a good father to his kids.

 

Don't love him but he earned my respect just like klichko

 

Always thought Floyd was an ATG but now I appreciate him even more. Still don't like his personality.

 

Steveson

 

Ricardo Lopez, i couldn't stand the severe overratedness the media gave him some years ago, now that the Hajime No Ippo hype has died down a bit he has grown in me.

 

Agreed. I like him now

 

I REALLY didn't like Andre Ward when he was fighting (the whole SOG thing, Oakland, entitlement and a general 'smug *****' vibe!)

But I've warmed to him a lot since he retired, while he can still be obviously biased, he knows his stuff, is one of the better ex-boxer pundits, has a wicked dry sense of humour, and actually seems pretty cool. His interview with Calzaghe was pretty special, and it really underlined to me that I had been pretty unfair on the dude, he's awight

 

Ryan Garcia

Thought he was just a pretty boy, but he can really fight, he hasn’t ducked anyone, took the Tank fight at a disadvantaged catchweight and rehydration clause, took the Haney fight and beat him, is calling out Shakur. And importantly, while he has his flaws, he seems like he has good intentions outside of the ring. Boxing is better now that he’s WBC welterweight champion

 

Larry Holmes. Didn't like him at first due to the Ali comparisons, as I was a big Ali fanboy back then. But now after watching more from Larry and the sport overall, I think I like Larry more than Muhammad.

 

Froch, Chisora, Ryan Garcia, Benavidez

 

Lennox Lewis
Wlad
Canelo
AJ
Bivol

 

Chris John ! Towards the end of his career he was endearing. Before his close fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, many people thought he was a weak champion.

O'Shaquie Foster, whom I've recently come to like.

Takuma Inoue since his KO victory against Jerwin Ancajas, before that I was very neutral or sleep during his fights.

 

I still wouldn't say I like him but post retirement I've come to appreciate Golovkin.

I think more than anything it was his fans I hated