I revolutionized my sport using principles derived from boxing

**Only Americans would be familiar with this man. Most casual American sports fans should know who he was.


This man revolutionized the manner of play of his sport. Few knew he was an amateur boxer. He credited his knowledge of boxing with helping him develop the strategy which changed his own sport.

As an amateur, he defeated a man who later defeated a top five heavyweight.

Okay hhascup and Burt. Got any ideas. This is a tough one.

 

No.

He certainly could be said to have revolutionized baseball, but I don't think he had a connection with boxing.

My guy did not revolutionize his sport in the sense of desegregation or anything like that, but in the manner in which it is played, or let's say game strategy.

 

No. Good try.

My guy is a famous American sports figure, but is probably pretty much unknown as a boxer.

Clue--My guy defeated a guy in the amateurs who later defeated a top five heavyweight and knocked him out of a possible shot at the title. Neither of these two pro boxers were Americans.

 

Yes.

I thought this would last longer. Excellent.

Walsh was an amateur boxer who defeated Edgardo Romero who later upset Earl Walls when Walls was a contender.

Walsh credited principles learned from boxing with his success as a football coach.