For me, my favorite 2 boxers to emulate is Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler. Both are tough guys from impoverished street backgrounds but conduct themselves with dignity in the innumerable and mind-numbing press conferences, never get into trouble outside the ring(not to my knowledge anyway) and don't throw tantrums in the ring when they lose. They just ask for a rematch. Thomas Hearns in particular, really impresses me when he said Hagler proved his greatness. How few fighters say that about other fighters? When Thomas Hearns was asked where he would rank himself in the ATG list, he said they don't have to rank him at all, he was just glad to fight the best; that really says something about his character.
miguel cotto, outside the ring he is humble and a gentleman, inside the ring he brings it, he will headbutt you and low blow you and hit you on the kidney.
I agree with the earlier posters with the likes of Hagler, Hearns and Cotto. Excellent role models in many different ways.
