Fighters with addicitons who had long and successful career

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Usyk is the best, Jan 4, 2026.


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  1. Usyk is the best

    Usyk is the best Active Member Full Member

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    Tyson Fury is definitely one of them. The guy had it all: bad discipline, cocaine, awful eating habits, alcohol addiction. Yet the guy has fought at the top level and was genuinely competitive against the best HW in the world 16 years since his pro debut. That's an impressive longetivity for such a lifestyle.

    Oliver McCall was a drug addicted cocaine user since his his youth and througout his pro career, he has also had alcohol addiction later in his career. Yet the guy stopped Lennox Lewis, went on to beat contenders even in his 40s and is still fighting at 60.

    I don't include guys like Tyson cause he rapidly deteriorated as a fighter once he became addicted to drugs (by his own admission, it has happened after the 2nd Holyfield fight, and by early 00s he was a heavy user).

    So what are your examples of fighters who were successful despite their lifestyle.
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2026
    Usyk is the best, Jan 4, 2026
    Usyk is the best, Jan 4, 2026
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  2. USFBulls727

    USFBulls727 Active Member Full Member

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    Johnny Tapia
     
    USFBulls727, Jan 4, 2026
    USFBulls727, Jan 4, 2026
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  3. catchwtboxing

    catchwtboxing Loyal Member

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    Dude you read my mind.

    My second thought is that Oliver McCall is a crackhead and is still fighting into his 60s.
     
    catchwtboxing, Jan 4, 2026
    catchwtboxing, Jan 4, 2026
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  4. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Pinklon Thomas
    Mike Ayala
    Edwin Rosario
    Mike Tyson
    Esteban DeJesus...2nd half of his career i think
    Rocky Lockridge
    Mando Ramos
     
    robert ungurean, Jan 4, 2026
    robert ungurean, Jan 4, 2026
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  5. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    John L. Sullivan....sorta.

    Joe Goddard as well.
     
    Melankomas, Jan 5, 2026
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  6. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Pete Rose?
     
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  7. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    James Toney had some kind of food addiction/eating disorder.
     
    Saintpat, Jan 5, 2026
    Saintpat, Jan 5, 2026
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  8. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Maher too and Slavin later in his career.
     
    mattdonnellon, Jan 5, 2026
    mattdonnellon, Jan 5, 2026
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  9. Smoochie

    Smoochie Combat sports fanatic Full Member

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    Leonard even tho he quit after a while
     
    Smoochie, Jan 5, 2026
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  10. Yorbals

    Yorbals Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Burger King baby
     
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  11. Peteychops

    Peteychops Member Full Member

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    Mickey Walker.
     
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  12. JackSilver

    JackSilver Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Nah he just became fat an lazy which is how he ended up at heavyweight
     
    JackSilver, Jan 5, 2026
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  13. MaccaveliMacc

    MaccaveliMacc Boxing Addict Full Member

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  14. Peteychops

    Peteychops Member Full Member

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    Chavez too. Apparently?
     
    Peteychops, Jan 5, 2026
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  15. Greg Price99

    Greg Price99 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Young Griffo
     
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