The Biggest Sucsess Story In Boxing Who Is It?

Good choice.

I think that Jersey Joe Walcott should also be named.

The guy was a down on his luck journeyman for years taking fights against world class oponents while working a 60 hour week on the docks.

He retired from boxing because it wasnt making him any money.

Because of world war II there was a shortage of contenders. Sudenly black contenders were considered by promotors.

Walcott came back into boxing after three years out because he was offered a scuttle full of coal to warm his house.

He then went to clean out the division en route to his title fight with Louis.

The rest is history.

If Ron Howard wants to make "Cinderella man II" then this is it.

 

I nominate Carmen Basilio

He was born to a poor family working on a farm and he joined the marines where he boxed. He then turned pro on returning home but his family didnt think he could do it. His dad once said, 'You will take many a licking' to which Carmen countered ' and ill give many a licking out too.'

Carmen suffered afew early career set backs and refused to fight for the mob which was almost compulsory in the 50s to get a title shot. But Carmen made his stand and eventually won the Welter weight crown.

He was thought of as quite a crude fighter but a very tough fighter with tremendous courage. And he challenged Sugar Ray Robinson for the MW crown. Howard Cosell told him, '9 out of 10 journalists at ring side favour Robinson.' To which Carmen snappily replied ' well 9 out of 10 are wrong.'

Carmen beat Ray Robinson in a thrilling fight and lost a controversial rematch.

He still lives today where he is a real charactar at the IBHOF and is still going strong. I wish this man many a happy year to come

tahts my vote

 

Vinny Paz(ienza), came back strong from a serious neck injury.

Craig Bodzianowski was a 13-0 cruiserweight prospect when he lost his foot in a motor cycle accident.

18 months later he came back and was good enough to get an alphabet title shot, four years later.

George Foreman recovered psychologically, from defeat in arguably boxing's biggest ever fight (The Rumble in the Jungle), to win THE Heavyweight Championship of the World 20 years later.

Roberto Duran recovered from humiliation twice:

First, having a brilliant 1983, recovering from No Mas and defeats to Benitez (one sided) and Laing.

Then, after being blown away by prime Motor City Cobra and becoming basically a name on a contenders record, Duran would have one lost glorious night, in a (snowy) blizzard, Duran inflicted Middleweight terrorism against Iran (Barkley).

 

LOL; quite true!:yep

 

Id say Bernard Hopkins. When Don King controlled pretty much all of boxing from the lightweight up, Bernard still did things his way, making his mandatory defenses never signing a long term promotional contract. Don King and others kept trying to get him beat and he just kept winning. Its a unique story that went on for many years, and look how it paid off.
It was just the Mike Tyson situation, Tyson beat every fighter King put in front of him, so King had to make a tournament to produce an undisputed champion.

 

Thanks for that post.

By the way though i thought both decisions against Robinson were right.

 

Gene Tunney?

 

Joe Gans has been named by people who saw him as the best boxer ever i think.

Now think of what he overcame, i pick him.

 

no problem mate i love Carmen so of course i would mention him, not your typical guy from the slum im sure his family had enough money but werent comfortable.

I havent seen the second robinson fight, the first i had it coming down to the last which Carmen won what a fight the drama was immense

 

Yeah both are great great fights, but the first one is better.

 

I didnt know the full second one existed.

The first one is the best MW fight i have seen. Carmen people think is a slugger but hes far from it hes so god damn clever. Little tricks he got im sure hes a magician.

The second one i believe shows Carmens real courage as i have seen tht eye

 

I thought i had it, it's been years but i'll have to dig that out as well now to make sure i'm not spouting ****! Sure i scored it though mate in seriousness. Yeah that's the one with the onion eye.