What are some memorable boxing comebacks ? Ones I can think of are Foreman, Palomino, Jofre, Ali. Do Leonard and Fury’s comebacks count as comebacks, what constitutes a comeback, rather than a lay off ?
Sugar Ray Robinson after retiring in 1952 came back two and a half years later and won the world middleweight title a further three times.
Thomas Hearns rebuilt his career on numerous occasions after devastating high profile KO defeats. His loss in the unification fight with Leonard was followed up with a world title and a winning streak over the next 3-4 years that got him another super fight, against Marvin Hagler. After that devastating KO loss he took a year out of the ring but re-established himself as a contender with a 60 second KO of James Schuler and won his third and fourth titles the following year. After a third KO defeat in an upset loss to Iran Barkley, he found a way back again to perform well against Leonard in their rematch and nearly two years later win another world title, against Virgil Hill.
Bernard Hopkins Lost his pro debut on points. Spent 16 months pondering whether to carry on or not. Decided to comeback: Hopkins said, "I had to ask myself if I was ready to live, eat, breathe and sleep boxing. So when I made the decision and told myself this is what I want to do ... I came back with a terror." (copied from Boxrec)
