Greatest Career Comeback s?

Jofre?

 

Santana were a music phenomenon in the 60s and 70s. Their albums weren't successful in the 80s. They were inducted into the hall of fame in 1998 and released supernatural the year after. Stuff of legend.

 

Ali and Jofre are my #1 and #2 respectively

In terms of 1 great win, Leonard coming back to beat Hagler is up there

Braddock for the sheer awe of it, though he might not have dug up much greatness from it in some people's eyes.

 

Fury has to be very close to the top of the list, especially if he continues to achieve even more. What he's done is so incredible though that he definitely deserves a special place in history.

Vitali Klitschko's comeback was pretty amazing too given the severity of his injuries. He basically had a stretch where he alternated between devastating back injuries and crippling knee injuries. Then he sits out for longer than Muhammad Ali was in exile and beats Peter, the consensus second best heavyweight with hilarious ease. What also made it amazing was that we find out after he retires that he was basically being held together with masking tape for the last 3/4 fights of his career.

Vincente Saldivar and Eder Jofre also deserve mentions and obviously Foreman set the high standard for comebacks.

 

Pacquiao after losing to JMM

 

Foreman. Ten years off. Said several times he'd never come back. Ballooned up in weight. Suddenly comes back in '87, but it was considered a joke. If anybody in boxing took it seriously, they weren't announcing it out loud. Too fat, too old, too slow. But, with careful matchmaking, incredible determination, and genius marketing, George took it all the way. And not only by regaining the title, but financially as well.

 

You’re right, Fergy. After retiring because of persistent injuries in 2004, Vitali makes a comeback after four years out and challenges WBC champion, Samuel Peter in his very first fight back and surprisingly totally dominated the limited but still, powerful Nigerian before stopping him.

 

Frankie Duarte- came back from drug addiction and IMO was robbed against Bernardo Pinango for the title

 

I agree and what he has done after. He was able to put it behind him and not let it affect his confidence.

 

And where he is now vs JMM is day and night...

 

George Foreman is my pick.

 

The greatest, smartest thing about George’s comeback was how he did it — no hurry, start off with journeymen and worked himself back into shape, worked out his timing, figured out his body’s limitations and gradually stepped up to contenders and eventually title shots ... to win a championship again.

Most comebacks are one tuneup and show me the money. George was finally in a good place mentally and spiritually and emotionally again, had learned to relax and seemed not intent on making a big payday or a quick splash. He enjoyed the journey.