Great Fighters Who Learned To Box in the Armed Forces

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Beatle, Apr 2, 2013.


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  1. Beatle

    Beatle Sheer Analysis Full Member

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    All I know of is:

    Gene Tunney ("The Fighting Marine")

    Rocky Marciano

    They both became heavyweight champions. Could someone give me some more names of great fighters who started boxing in the armed forces (of any country)?
     
    Beatle, Apr 2, 2013
    Beatle, Apr 2, 2013
    #1
  2. ArtOWAR

    ArtOWAR Fartdawg Full Member

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    I think Carlos Palomino, not sure if he learned there but deff boxed in thee army.
     
    ArtOWAR, Apr 2, 2013
    ArtOWAR, Apr 2, 2013
    #2
  3. Axe

    Axe Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Kronk Gym's Leeonzer Barber boxed in the army for 3 years. Went on to win the WBO title and defend it 5 times.
     
    Axe, Apr 2, 2013
    Axe, Apr 2, 2013
    #3
  4. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    I believe Kenny Norton did, but I'm not 100% sure. It's been a while since I read his auto. You could call Ken a borderline great, I feel.
     
    Boxed Ears, Apr 2, 2013
    Boxed Ears, Apr 2, 2013
    #4
  5. Theron

    Theron Boxing Addict banned

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    Yeah i was gonna say him i'm pretty sure he did
     
    Theron, Apr 2, 2013
    Theron, Apr 2, 2013
    #5
  6. Leftsmash

    Leftsmash Guest

    Ray Mercer.

    Wasn't Nigel Benn also the MW champ as well as the HW In the armed forces?
     
    Leftsmash, Apr 2, 2013
    Leftsmash, Apr 2, 2013
    #6
  7. Vysotsky

    Vysotsky Boxing Junkie banned

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    Pretty sure Benn was a WW in the Military.
     
    Vysotsky, Apr 2, 2013
    Vysotsky, Apr 2, 2013
    #7
  8. timeout

    timeout Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Nigel benn for sure.

    I loved his destruction of the jank hype job g-man..

    His greatest hour.
     
    timeout, Apr 2, 2013
    timeout, Apr 2, 2013
    #8
  9. Champion

    Champion Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Denis Lebedev
     
    Champion, Apr 2, 2013
    Champion, Apr 2, 2013
    #9
  10. Champion

    Champion Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Steve Cunningham?
     
    Champion, Apr 2, 2013
    Champion, Apr 2, 2013
    #10
  11. Vysotsky

    Vysotsky Boxing Junkie banned

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    He was losing the fight and "won" because Gerald had a ****ing aneurysm or whatever it was and its also clear that Gerald came into the fight with these problems. So Benn was getting beat by a brain damaged guy, needed to fight dirty in the process with constant rabbit punching and would have already been stopped in not for the horse**** ref.....What a warrior :nut He also never took a drug test post fight, wouldnt be suprised if he was on roids considering his M.O.
     
    Vysotsky, Apr 2, 2013
    Vysotsky, Apr 2, 2013
    #11
  12. Slothrop

    Slothrop Boxing Junkie banned

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    The guys over in the classic forum could probably provide you with a list.
     
    Slothrop, Apr 2, 2013
    Slothrop, Apr 2, 2013
    #12
  13. DoninLouisiana

    DoninLouisiana Boxing Guru Full Member

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    Ray Mercer definitely, that guy had some power
     
    DoninLouisiana, Apr 2, 2013
    DoninLouisiana, Apr 2, 2013
    #13
  14. iceferg

    iceferg Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    i thought benn was winning that 1 tbh. Gerald just didn't seem to feel any pain in that 1 though until disaster struck. I've never seen anything like it
     
    iceferg, Apr 2, 2013
    iceferg, Apr 2, 2013
    #14
  15. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

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    Wasnt one of Ali's opponents an ex soldier who hated Ali for dodging the draft? Might have been Mac Foster but im not sure

    Wepner was in the military but im not sure if thats where he learned to box
     
    KO KIDD, Apr 2, 2013
    KO KIDD, Apr 2, 2013
    #15
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