he's gotten a couple of title shots, but has never had much success. I think he didnt start boxing until 29, and only had a few amateur fights. http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=118986&cat=boxer
hopkins are already knew how to box,but i cant think of any quality guys that actually started from scratch that late,all those guys mentioned already had learned by that age they just turned pro late,Although i can tell you 2 hall of famers that had a real late start as far as learning the fundamentals carlos palomino and ken norton both started around 18 or19 when they were in the service during vietnam although theres been a few kickboxers like dorsey and warring that took up boxing late and won titles but that dont really count cause even kickboxers know how to box .
I believe hopkins was boxing in prison to,, lets face it with all that time on your hands its probably a perfect place to start
Are you asking if there are many people who just up and started after age 23 or are you asking if people turn pro late if they can do well? If it is the former,the chances are slim you will ever amount to anything. If the Latter then obviously the chances are much better ala a Rigondeaux.
Nate Campbell started at 25 i believe. Tarver started late as well. Froch started late too. Cintron started at 19 but hes a *****. But i am a firm believer that its not so much the age but the mileage. Go at it man dont let anybody put you down if you want to try.
pro debut and starting boxing is not the same thing. some of the fighters listed here like lewis and tarver had good amatuer backrounds. joe mesi didnt start boxing till he was 19 and turned pro when he was 24