Fighters who overcame serious disabilities or illneses to win at a world level

Yes Eugene Hairston a fine middleweight who I saw a few times was truly deaf. He had
two nicknames those days.
Eugene "Silent" Hairston
And Eugene "Dummy" Hairston in less political days....

 

Ron Lyle actually died on the operating table in prison from a stab wound but was revived and went on to a stellar career fighting Ali for the title.

Andy Kendall took a full shotgun blast to the abdomen at close range by his estranged father-in-law and despite doctors predictions that he should be just hopeful to walk again never mind fight, went on to fight Bob Foster for the lt heavy title.

Howard Winstone - I forget exactly how, but he lost the tops of several of his fingers on his left hand, yet, went on to possess an immaculate left jab, fight a trilogy with Saldivar for the title and even won a portion (WBC) of the vacated crown.

 

Howard Winston's was a beautiful boxer.so impressed was our trainer when I was an amateur boxer that we all wore red boxing trunks made by SEER although I didn't know that was the reason.
Although officially Winston's lost the tips of 3 fingers on his right hand in a factory accident my trainer said it wasn't ????

 

Surprised nobody mentioned Willie Hoppe. He was a favorite in California during the four round days despite only having 2 fingers on each hand as the result of a fireworks accident that blew off his fingers and thumbs. He fought guys like Willie Ritchie, Joe Azevedo, Dick Hyland, Eddie Shannon, Joe Rivers, and was a sparring partner to Ad Wolgast.

 

Bruce Seldon became world champion despite being born with a severe heart problem.

 

I thought he was actually born with no heart at all. Its a rare deformity but from time to time you do see boxers afflicted with it.

 

Nah he seemed to have developed this heart problem around the same time he turned pro.

 

Charles Bortz of Chicago, who fought under the name of Sammy Butts was a Bantamweight Phenom. When he was 2 years old he was injured in a street car accident, when a coal wagon ran over his arm. His right arm was badly hurt. He took up boxing and developed a lightning left and his right even though crippled was only as thick as his wrist. He used it wonderfully as a guard. In 1922 he was listed as having 56 fights, lost only two decisions, drew five, and won 49. He was the brother of Jack Doyle Eastern featherweight. The irony was years later he was the driver in an automoible accident running over the great Abe Attell..."Believe It Or Not!"

http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b53069137x.r=sammy+butts.langEN

 

Sam Peter: mental ******ation