The Greatest Showings Of Bravery...

yes i was astounded that he did it as he looked in pain but good shape. it was so surprisinbg he was hurt though

 

Well I think I can top all the efforts so far.

Billy Miske is often referred to as being at "death's door " when he fought
Dempsey for the title, in 1920.
Chris Pontius an excellent poster but no Dempsey fan needs no encouragment to remind us that Miske was suffering from Brights disease when he fought Dempsey, and he is correct ,but such phrases as "terminally ill", do not reveal the whole story.
Sure Miske had Bright's disease,but after being kod by Dempsey he fought for another 3 years engaging in 23 fights and losing only one a dec to Tommy Gibbons,and he wasnt beating tomato cans either among his wins were victories over .
Renault
Roper
Gibbons
Weinert
Meehan
Fulton.

Miske was diagnosed with Birghts disease in 1916, his family Doctor told him ,if he quit boxing and took care of himself he could live another 5 years.
Miske ignored the advice and had around 70 fights in the next 6 years.Finally in 1920 Miske quit the game and went into the car business.in 5 months he had lost $55,000.MIske took a guarantee of $25,000 to meet Dempsey in1920 ,and was kod for the only time in his life.

Miske paid off his debts and flat broke resumed boxing in 1921,
He had a further 23 fights ,winning them all,except one ,a dec loss to Tommy Gibbons.By1923 Miske was a wreck,Miske asked his Manager Jack Reddy to get him one final fight ,so he could give his kids one last good Xmas,after much persuasion Reddy agreed and fixed up a match with Bill Brennan.
Miske didnt train for the fight ,he couldnt.the fight was Dec 7th 1923.Miske fighting for his family , got up from his sick bed ,and somehow found the strength to ko Brennan in 4 rds, he picked up $2,400 as his purse and his manager waived his cut..Miske spent Xmas Day with his wife and kids ,but Boxing Day he was admitted to hospital dying.Miske died in St Mary's Hospital on New Years Day 1924 a week after his fight with Brennan.
I think that qualifies as the bravest .