Great fighters who started pro career after 25

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Usyk is the best, Aug 21, 2025.


  1. Usyk is the best

    Usyk is the best Active Member Full Member

    656
    1,143
    Feb 12, 2023
    Well, name them.

    I'll start with the obvious one: Oleksandr Usyk. His 1st pro fight occured when he was almost 27
     
    Usyk is the best, Aug 21, 2025
    Usyk is the best, Aug 21, 2025
    #1
    KidGalahad, Clinton and Dangerwood84 like this.
  2. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    23,229
    26,300
    Jun 26, 2009
    Many on this forum seem to think Sonny Liston was at least in his late 30s before he turned pro.
     
    Saintpat, Aug 21, 2025
    Saintpat, Aug 21, 2025
    #2
    robert ungurean, Journeyman92, Dangerwood84 and 1 other person like this.
  3. Dangerwood84

    Dangerwood84 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    8,982
    13,224
    Sep 21, 2017
    Lomachenko was 25.
     
    Dangerwood84, Aug 21, 2025
    Dangerwood84, Aug 21, 2025
    #3
  4. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

    10,318
    12,605
    Mar 2, 2006
    Pascual Perez was 26 and Luis Estaba was 28
     
    scartissue, Aug 21, 2025
    scartissue, Aug 21, 2025
    #4
    roughdiamond, Greg Price99 and Clinton like this.
  5. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

    16,187
    15,189
    Jun 9, 2007
    Don't remember exact numbers
    Norton was early 20's I believe and Ron Lyle was 29 or 30!
    Can't get over Lyles age.
     
    robert ungurean, Aug 21, 2025
    robert ungurean, Aug 21, 2025
    #5
    KidGalahad likes this.
  6. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    20,222
    6,476
    Jan 22, 2009
    The winner!
     
    Clinton, Aug 22, 2025
    Clinton, Aug 22, 2025
    #6
    Usyk is the best likes this.
  7. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    20,222
    6,476
    Jan 22, 2009
    I have to check their respective pro debut ages, but Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Bernard Hopkins maybe?
     
    Clinton, Aug 22, 2025
    Clinton, Aug 22, 2025
    #7
    Usyk is the best likes this.
  8. Usyk is the best

    Usyk is the best Active Member Full Member

    656
    1,143
    Feb 12, 2023
    Qawi indeed had his 1st pro fight after he turned 25.

    Considering the facts that he started late and was very short even for LHW (just 5'6''), he must have been enormously gifted in other areas to become a great fighter.
     
    Usyk is the best, Aug 22, 2025
    Usyk is the best, Aug 22, 2025
    #8
    Clinton likes this.