Gosh, I can think of hundreds. No doubt there are actually thousands. I always think of Carmen Basillio but actually, he never seemed to be terribly affected by his wars. London Heavyweight Billy Walker is certainly one. A guy with no discernable Boxing ability but a big punch who just walked forward eating shots to land one. You younger guys, check him out on You Tube. Ridiculous courage. Fulham Welter Rocky Kelly was one I saw a couple of times. He would just stand and trade beyond exhaustion, firing shots almost automaton like until he either won or lost. Another one to watch on You Tube if you haven't seen him. Sadly, the years haven't been kind to Rocky. He has been inside and struggles with depression and drink. He hasn't worked since the 80's.
Yep and one of the few fighters to prove to me that having too much heart is not always a good thing...
Ali...he took bombs from Liston, Frazier, Foreman, Shavers, Lyle, Norton, Holmes... cast iron chin...never knocked out Holyfield Fury Gatti
John Murray had a nasty habit of fighting with his face but was always good to watch and had to be nailed to the canvas for him to stop marauding forward. Often in way over his head aswell but still fought with the same aggressive, brawling, mauling style.
Billy simply didn't have the talent to learn to box even though he had a terrific trainer and great sparring. I'm not being disrespectful by the way. He says this himself.
Hatton might sneak in imo. Was a massive asset for him at least until he got to the top level. Where it started to work against him. The only reason he was stopped against mayweather....most guys chucked the towel in after a couple of rounds against mayweather....then just stayed around to the end not trying to win. To hattons credit he st lesst tried to win that fight even if it was pretty much fruitless. Done the same against pacman to his downfall. But theres a certain credit to actually going out to try to win a fight as opposed to accepting defeat way before the fights even finished. Dont think thst wss in hattons make up....probably why he was so well supported.
Totally love Hatton but let's face it not the most intelligent fighter ever there was only really plan A. But seen that man fight with so much heart dig deep and keep going forward not a sniff of arragance about him. Never ducked fights old school character wasn't a cash cow media hype job. That's why we love him tried his heart out evertime proper legend
How about Ron "The Council Bluffs Butcher" Stander and Terry Daniels both? As a tandem, they exhibited great courage against Frazier and fought wayyyy too long against a variety of better fighters taking excessive punishment long past their primes that have left them both worse for the wear. Both exhibited much more heart than discretion.