The longest career breaks in boxing history

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Usyk is the best, Nov 21, 2025.


  1. Usyk is the best

    Usyk is the best Active Member Full Member

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    Probably it is Ibeabuchi who has had 26 years and 5 months between the fights.

    Anyway, name your other interesting examples of 10+ year layoffs.
     
  2. Shootout Kray

    Shootout Kray Member banned Full Member

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    Murad Khalidov had 11 and a half years out of Boxing, whilst being in prison for a long stretch and competing in other combat sports.

    But returned to boxing after 11 years aged 37 and impressively became the first to KO the usually granite chinned Sergey Kuzmin.
     
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  3. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    Professor Mike Donovan was gone from the pro scene for 12 years when he fought nonpareil Dempsey in 1888
     
  4. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Mike Tyson went about 19 1/2 years between losing to Kevin McBride and losing to Jake Paul (the latter was a sanctioned fight, not an exhibition).

    Jack Dempsey deserves a plaque in the Hall of Fame for going 3 years, 9 days between without a fight whilst holding the heavyweight championship between Luis Angelo Firpo and losing to Gene Tunney. AFAIK, no one has held the most prestigious title in all of sport hostage for that long while not bothering to actually defend it.
     
  5. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Sullivan.
     
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  6. Eddie Ezzard

    Eddie Ezzard Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Kenny Lane, a lightweight from the 50s and 60s, came back after 17 years and still fought as a lightweight, despite having turned 50.
     
  7. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    George Foreman.

    As a funny anecdote: When I heard Felix Trinidad was going to box, I was confused, I thought it was Felix Trinidad sr, who had been Puerto Rican national featherweight champion some ten years before but had not amounted to much else lol.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2025
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  8. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Was Sullivan actually recognized by some authority/organization in the day as champion? Or was it just some kind of acclaimation?
     
  9. Mastrangelo

    Mastrangelo Active Member Full Member

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    I quite randomly came across Tony Richardson, from Nigeria, the other day. I found a fight of his from 1995 in Germany. He had one more in 1996 and retired with a 3-1-1 record and was probably a decent journeyman, considering He drew with Asmir Vojnovic who then beat Vincenzo Nardiello.. and was only 19 at the time.
    Anyway, I noticed that - if boxrec is accurate - He made a comeback this September after over 29 years.
     
  10. RockyValdez

    RockyValdez Active Member Full Member

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    Bobby Halpern came back after 18 years.
     
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  11. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    Fenech and Nelson had 12 and 10 years respectively. That's notable IMO, tho it was only to fight each other.
     
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  12. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Thats a really complicated question because he was the first one and the world wasn't globalized. But either way the lineage recognized later starts with him. And that lineage involves a 5 year absence following a "draw".
     
  13. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Jess Willard had a break of 3 years and 3 months between title defences.
     
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  14. BeerGut

    BeerGut Member Full Member

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  15. Fireman Fred

    Fireman Fred Active Member Full Member

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