Fighters you've changed your opinion of ?

Tommy Hearns.

I always knew he was great, but always hated him. This was because my first boxing hero was Marvin Hagler, and his antithesis was Hearns. Not just because he was the biggest win of his career and an arch-enemy during the buildup to that fight. It seemed Tommy, with the gold trunks, jheri-curl, and chanting stablemates behind him at every turn, was like that punk kid villian from The Karate Kid. The spolied rich kid with all the big-time backing and everything at his disposal........

This was of course too simple to be true, but when you're pitting an opponent against your hero you forget sh/t like that. They have to be the enemy.

It wasn't until later that I realized how courageous and old-school Tommy actually was in his own right, jheri-curls be damned. He would fight anyone, and didn't hesitate to put his record and reputation on the line to show he was great. In this day and age of cherry-picking, I have to give Hearns even MORE respect.

 

The Ali of the '60's. Going back over his fights seen then I've found him athletically a marvel for a heavyweight but not anywhere as much technique wise as I had thought. I wasn't impressed at all by what he shows in the Earnie Terrell bout and slow footed Chuvalo was able time and again to put him on the ropes and land barrages to his body, this despite Ali being in his prime with his legs. There was nothing to marvel at against the crippled Patterson and while he showed a sharp increase in displayed ability against William's and Folley, both of them were passed their best days. Overall I wasn't as impressed with him during those years as I had once been.

 

Julio Cesar Chavez....didn't particularly like him back in his heyday...not because of his qualities as a fighter...just didn't like him...like I didn't like Mike Tyson....but I thoroughly like and appreciate the brutal genius of both guys now...I think JCC is the greatest Mexican champion of all time.....and the losses to De La Hoya are not to be taken too seriously IMO.

 

For me it's Leonard.
I couldn't stand him from day one. I thought he was fake. A show boater and show off. Got a gift draw in Hearns rematch. Benitez stoppage was a joke. Ect ect. I was blinded by my person dislike for him. Now I see him as one of the greatest most complete fighters I ever saw.

 

Jimmy Ellis. Never liked him and still dont but I have a grudging respect for his ability and physical gifts. He made the most of what he had thats for sure.

 

For me it's not one fighter, rather it's the tomato cans of the sport. I really never appreciated how much guts it takes to get into a ring with someone you know is going to hurt you and perhaps hurt you bad. He might be faster than you, he might have more power, he might be a better boxer or he might be all of these. But you're the opposition, you get paid to make a fight happen and if he looks great doing it, so much the better (at least for him and his promoter)

I think I began to appreciate that more when MagnaNasakki was posting on this site.

 

Speaking of whom, did anyone figure out who he was?

Pretty sure I did.

 

Don't remember him but what was he like and who was he?

 

I'm kind of surprised, can I ask what it was about Ellis that rankled you?

 

No I remember trying to find out if there were any common sparring partners between, Foreman, Lewis and Wlad but never did pursue it. I really enjoyed some of the insightful comments he made and he had pretty good writing/communication skills for a boxer, but no I don't know who he is.

But being a sparring partner for those type of sluggers is one job I sure as hell wouldn't want.

 

I underestmated Lewis for years. Bg mistake because he became one of my all tme favortites..

And a mention to RJJ who went on o do great things as well:ko.

 

Very good & insightful thread. Growth & change...