Elite boxers who also excelled at other sports?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by cross_trainer, Nov 22, 2021.


  1. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    Who are the elite (Ring top 10 ranked) fighters who also excelled at other sports?

    And by "excelled," I mean a documented record of high level competitive success as an adult amateur or professional in another sport. Hobbyists need not apply.
     
  2. The Fighting Yoda

    The Fighting Yoda Active Member Full Member

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    Anthony Mundine was 2times WBA champion at super middleweight and the highest paid rugby league player in Australia before.
     
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  3. Babality

    Babality KTFO!!!!!!! Full Member

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    Pac at basketball.:D
     
  4. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    James Toney was a star football player in HS and also received scholarship offers.
     
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  5. Rollin

    Rollin Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Vitali is probably one of the most well known multidisciplinary fighters, being champion in both boxing and kickboxing.
     
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  6. Moggy94

    Moggy94 Active Member Full Member

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    While never elite boxers these guys excelled in other sports:

    Charlie Powell - A boxing record of 25-11 was voted the best athlete to come out of his high school where he excelled in football, baseball, sprinting, shot putting and basketball. Played one season of Minor league baseball before playing several seasons in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers and The Oakland Raiders. During the off season he would box.

    Danny Hodge - Professional boxing record of 7-2 while going 17-0 as an amateur winning the 1958 Chicago heavyweight Golden Gloves tournament. Prior to that he was and still is to this day considered one of the greatest collegiate wrestlers in US history never losing in college or even being taken down in college going 46-0 with 36 by pinfall becoming a three time NCAA Champion. He would go on to compete in two Olympic games in Freestyle Wrestling winning silver in 1956.

    Michael Grant - Played football/basketball in college and baseball in high school.
     
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  7. Moggy94

    Moggy94 Active Member Full Member

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    James Warring - Former IBF Cruiserweight Champion, I believe he still to this day is up there as one of the fastest to ever win a World Championship in boxing beating James Pritchard in 36 seconds. Before boxing he was a kickboxer winning multiple Championships which included a win over Vitali Klitschko and fought Peter Aerts in K1. He fought in a one night MMA tournament too back in the 90's making it to the finals before losing to Renzo Gracie.
     
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  8. exocet76

    exocet76 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Roy Jones Jr played basketball not sure at what level
    Sergio Martinez played football and a cyclist again not sure if at a professional level. both men were clearly very athletically gifted
     
  9. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Tyrell Biggs played for West Philadelphia High School in Philadelphia, which went 63-1 over a 2 year period. His team his junior year had a guy named Gene Banks, who was considered better than Magic Johnson, and was the #2 prep player in the country, behind a guy named Albert King.
     
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  10. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    I recall bareknuckle champion Tom King was a successfull rower.
     
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  11. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Curtis Cokes - baseball - had a tryout with the Brooklyn Dodgers

    Carlos Palomino - baseball - played AA and had an offer to play AAA but was drafted in the US army

    Jack Sharkey - was a renowned fly fisherman and gave symposiums on casting
     
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  12. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    I believe Shavers excelled at track and field in HS. Of course there is Ken Norton also whose varied athletic applications of himself gave rise to the Norton Rule - instituted by Illinois HS limiting participation to a max. 4 track and field events.

    There’s also Marciano and baseball.
     
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  13. Moggy94

    Moggy94 Active Member Full Member

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    O'Neil Bell was a high school state champion in wrestling at 190 pounds, he was offered a scholarship in wrestling at a university but didn't take it, he also played football and competed in track.
     
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  14. Moggy94

    Moggy94 Active Member Full Member

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    Deontay Wilder was a college basketball player who also played football in high school, he stated in an interview that his original was plan was to be a football player.
     
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  15. Rope-a-Dope

    Rope-a-Dope Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Joe Frazier at swimming ;-)

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