Boxers who started training boxing late, and were very successful?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by iloverachel, Jun 18, 2020.



  1. zeratul

    zeratul Active Member Full Member

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    Hasim Rahman started boxing at age 20 and just two years later he had his pro debut, and two more years later he already fought Tua for the IBF and did well while it lasted. Rather impressive if you think about it this way.
     
  2. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member Full Member

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    Jess Willard ...
     
  3. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    Nate Campbell
     
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  4. pistal47

    pistal47 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Maybe the best shout yet.
     
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  5. pistal47

    pistal47 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Steve USS Cunningham

    He didn't pick up boxing until after he enlisted in the Navy and didn't have his 1st amateur fight until he was 19 years old.
     
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  6. northpaw

    northpaw Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Rahman started boxing at 20ish.
     
  7. POTUS

    POTUS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    They say he was shadowboxing at a win Dixie grocery store. He was working the night shift throwing punches to keep himself awake, when a co worker noticed them handz & recommended a boxing gym. I believe Campbell was 24.

    Charles Martin started at 18 or 19 & became champ
     
  8. Heavy_Hitter

    Heavy_Hitter Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Valuev started boxing at 19 and went 48:0 before his first MD loss.
    I noticed most late starters are HW. I don't know any lighter weight fighters, who started at 20 and won titles. Only Martinez?
     
  9. Abysswalker

    Abysswalker Member Full Member

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    Foreman started when he was 17, won the Olympic Gold at 19. Heavyweight title at 24. Also Rocky Marciano started very late.
     
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  10. Manu Vatuvei

    Manu Vatuvei Active Member Full Member

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  11. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Pinklon Thomas and Bonecrusher Smith.
     
  12. Dance84

    Dance84 Unicorn and seastar land Full Member

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  13. Deew

    Deew Active Member Full Member

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    I think that's normal as we get older.

    I'm still surprised at being older than most athletes (I'm in back half of my 30's), after they seemed like old men when I was a kid and a teen, lol.
     
  14. Holler

    Holler Doesn't appear to be a paid matchroom PR shill Full Member

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    Wilder could still become the latest of all, should he ever decide to take up boxing.
     
  15. Toney F*** U

    Toney F*** U Boxing junkie Full Member

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    I had no idea he started that late, Honestly blew my mind