Fighters you disliked and then changed your opinion of and end up liking?

Good thread.

This happened with one of my all-time top 4 fighters: Lennox Lewis.

I was a huge Tyson fan and looking at his demise and at the same time the rise of Lennox made me not like him. I changed my attitude towards him after the Rahman rematch, I was absolutely amazed with that performance. Then I started to closely check-out his career and frankly you can't but admire what he achieved.

Another fighter I used to dislike was Mayweather. I absoloutely hated it when he beat up Gatti. But no matter his attitude outside the ring, over the years I appreciated the man's skills.

Also ,

This.

 

I gotta be honest Addie, I didn't used to like Marco. I thought he was dirty and arrogant. But once I started to understand his Mexican fighting spirit and gutsy, street-thug attitude and sensibilities (not to mention his ludicrous talent) he might be my favorite fighter of all time.

Also, I'm glad you have that GIF signature back. It's a classic.

 

:good It's a killer combination and also displays the amazing punch resistance and heart of Johnny Tapia.

Everything I love about Boxing encompassed in one moving image.

 

How about you mate?

Any fighters you dislike, and why?

 

Fighters I can honestly say I dislike currently?

I don't know if I dislike any of them, but I don't have a great deal of respect for Joan Guzman. Not only was it frustrating him not making weight against Nate Campbell awhile back, but then to also receive a draw despite being completely dominated by Funeka added fuel to the fire. Perhaps after hitting such a jackpot you'd have thought it would stir him on to work hard and earn some success for once, but he then fails to make weight for the second time. His victory on Saturday night is worthless, and so is he apparently.

Almost the same kind of thing with Nate Campbell. He tried to play the spokesperson for Boxing for awhile, but that doesn't quite work when you're also failing to make weight, dropping your hands against Peden, and then looking for a way out against Bradley. Point being, he tries to act like this huge victim but he's actually just a victim of his own stupidity.

 

Appreciate the sharing, Addie.

I don't really care about Guzman, haven't followed him and honestly don't give a damn about what he does. But yes he has failed continuously, that can't be good. :yep

As for Campbell, he's somewhat controversial, but to his defense there is medical proof he was legitimately hurt in the Bradley fight.

 

I can buy that.

It still irritates me how he seems to do more talking than he does fighting.

 

True dat.