Some of the greatest hearts in the history of boxing

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Obviously this man would have been much tougher had he lost the fight where he had his jaw shattered instead of actually winning it and forget getting the **** beaten out of him by Hagler and ignoring a crimson face, 5 separate cuts, barely being able to see and a lacerated cheekbone, while roaring back to win three rounds in a row to make the fight even, going toe-to-toe, punch for punch. It appears his toughness would be more evident had he held for dear life instead and protected his face not to get hit cleanly again and a much harder man would have been knocked down numerous times, rather than a flash one just a single time either amateur or pro. :!:

 

Norton's right at the end of round two, 7:53 of the footage, of which a slow motion replay is shown between rounds, does produce a significant defensive reaction from Ali, and I have seen corner footage suggesting caution in handling that portion of his face from the following rest period on. Ali was talking to him, and had his mouth open when it landed. Considering that he had his mouth open, and did have that impacted wisdom tooth, it's not implausible that this is the punch which did it. Futch wasn't in that corner. Pacheco was, and is a physician. I don't discount it. By the time he provided commentary for this footage, there was some acrimony between him and Ali. Due to this, he might have been more inclined to discredit Ali's achievement in going the route by suggesting a later round for this injury to be inflicted.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTiIoJMK6H8[/ame]

 

With respect to heart, I went with Marciano among those listed. The fact is that he simply didn't lose. I think dedication to training is an element of heart, and Frazier's dedication dropped off after the FOTC in a way Marciano's never did.

 

My top 3 favourite fighters, Morales, Benn and Frazier all deserve a mention.

 

Surely Ali should be in the running..think the pasting he took and how he never quit against Holmes and Berbick

 

Floyd Patterson should be mentioned. Mickey Walker too, the way he took the beating of Schmeling and didn´t give up. Jeffries in Fitz and Corbett I. And the first Shakey fight. Burns against Johnson. Ketchel is up there as well. F*ck too many to mention.

 

There are too many mexican fighters that deserve a mention as well. Doesnt it go something like, I'd rather die on my feet than quit on my stool....

 

LaMotta but no Basilio? How criminal...

 

Just to **** of the lispy Spaniard.

Tyson. Discuss.

 

Tyson demonstrated a true warrior's heart in the Douglas, Ruddock II, Holyfield I & Lewis bouts, so he's near the top of Heavyweight Greats in the heart department.

The second quote in my signature, taken from the Ruddock rematch exemplifies his great heart.

 

Loads of fighters have been in that situation, many have actually punched back. I always laugh when the Holmes fight is given as the epitome of heart, if Ali had fought harder and risked being hit more than maybe, but he didn't. He just stood there like a zombie. Remember the commentary, it went something like "It's not like losing your life or wife" or something? Misguided perhaps, but what they were saying is "at least have a better go than this".

Granted, the man took a lot of punishment, and while it's one of boxing's saddest moments (save fatal injuries) it's hardly the best example of a boxer showing 'heart'. In fact, it's an insult to all the fighters who've had the **** beat out of them and kept getting up for more. But as we know Ali has to win every poll on here. :!: