Super middle Roberto Duran, fighting in the 90's, was still pretty damn good. He beat a Jorge Castro who 18 months earlier was the WBA middleweight champ. I think he beat Paz, too, the first time around. Also, no fatty list can be complete without the Great Jimmy Abbott.
South Africa had two interesting porkers, Mike Schutte and Jimmy Abbott. Here's schutte: This content is protected
The last vid I saw of Bean he weighed in at just over 3oo lbs - a huge weight loss for him. He has come back from some serious health issues and he looked well. All the best to him. He was what he was and he gave us some good fun.
Amazing. Griffo really abused his body with alcohol but still pulled of some respectable performances.
In the modern era, a great number of the leading heavyweights are obese. Tyson Fury, Martin Bakole, Andy Ruiz, Dillian Whyte.....it goes on on on. Very few are in elite shape.
Does he still live on or near Toppenish or the Yakama Reservation? I bought a beautiful Joe Hipp T-shirt while I was in Toppenish with Larry Buck quite some time ago during the annual mural celebration in Toppenish. I don't wash it in a washing machine. I only have it dry cleaned. If I ever meet him, I don't think I'll bring up his weight! I have a lot of respect for the guy.
I believe he's still down near Toppenish but to be honest I haven't seen him since he was selling belts last year. I'm pretty far out of town.