The best fighter to come from a middle-class background?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by KOTF, Jan 3, 2010.

Page 1 of 2
  1. KOTF

    KOTF Bingooo Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
    Messages:
    13,448
    Likes Received:
    26
    MAB comes to mind
     
    KOTF, Jan 3, 2010
    #1
  2. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2007
    Messages:
    43,650
    Likes Received:
    13,046
    I'd say MAB was above the middle class.
     
    Russell, Jan 3, 2010
    #2
  3. NO MAS

    NO MAS Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2009
    Messages:
    9,784
    Likes Received:
    1
    Didn't MAB have a famous saying that he can be lawyer all his life but only a World Champion boxer for a few years...

    I think that is what makes MAB that bit extra special, he didn't have to fight because he had to... He fought because he wanted too and maintained his hunger...

    He gets my vote...:good
     
    NO MAS, Jan 3, 2010
    #3
  4. bodhi

    bodhi Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2009
    Messages:
    19,229
    Likes Received:
    257
    Cassius Clay.
     
    bodhi, Jan 3, 2010
    #4
  5. BENNY BLANCO

    BENNY BLANCO R.I.P. Brooklyn1550 Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    Messages:
    10,718
    Likes Received:
    9
    This thread topic reminds me of that youtube clip where Chris Eubank is trying to discourage his son from taking up boxing cause he feels his son privilege upbringing will not make him mentally tough enough for boxing.
     
    BENNY BLANCO, Jan 3, 2010
    #5
  6. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2007
    Messages:
    8,314
    Likes Received:
    495
    Muhammad Ali
    Ken Norton (had enough money to go to college, I'm not sure if he was poor at the time or not though)
     
    Bill1234, Jan 3, 2010
    #6
  7. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2004
    Messages:
    23,666
    Likes Received:
    2,146
    Ali came from an upper middle class family while Frazier was poor. SRL came from middle class. Tony Ayala was not poor. Kid Diamond family was supposedly rich
     
    Bummy Davis, Jan 3, 2010
    #7
  8. punk

    punk Well-Known Member Full Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,112
    Likes Received:
    6
    MAB sprung to mind straight away, but if you are saying Ali had a middle class upbringing then its thread over.
     
    punk, Jan 3, 2010
    #8
  9. WhataRock

    WhataRock Loyal Member Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2004
    Messages:
    34,865
    Likes Received:
    18,022
    Yeah both his parents are doctors werent they Bummy?

    But even then...would there be much of a middle class in the Soviet era?
     
    WhataRock, Jan 3, 2010
    #9
  10. TBooze

    TBooze Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2006
    Messages:
    25,495
    Likes Received:
    2,150
    Gene Tunney has to be up there, James J Corbett too.
     
    TBooze, Jan 3, 2010
    #10
  11. Rebel-INS

    Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2008
    Messages:
    2,489
    Likes Received:
    4
    Yes I believe that was on when Louis met Chris Eubank.
     
    Rebel-INS, Jan 3, 2010
    #11
  12. PetethePrince

    PetethePrince Slick & Redheaded Full Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2009
    Messages:
    28,760
    Likes Received:
    83
    Norton was poor. At least struggling to live on his own before his career blew up.
     
    PetethePrince, Jan 3, 2010
    #12
  13. Bioyhh

    Bioyhh Riot Dog Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2009
    Messages:
    170
    Likes Received:
    0
    I though Ali's father was a sign-painter and his mother was a maid.
     
    Bioyhh, Jan 3, 2010
    #13
  14. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2005
    Messages:
    61,216
    Likes Received:
    45,558
    Gene Tunney was a broke mutha as a kid. Read the new bio of him, excellent book...

    Sugar Ray Leonard comes to mind. The Million Dollar Man, also.
     
    Seamus, Jan 3, 2010
    #14
  15. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2005
    Messages:
    52,667
    Likes Received:
    44,101
    Larry Holmes would be middle class for starters? Lets ascertain some names. What about Hearns and Hagler? Arguello? Michael Spinks?

    Probably a better way would be to post a rough top 20 and zero in on backgrounds starting from fighter number 1.
     
    JohnThomas1, Jan 3, 2010
    #15
Page 1 of 2