The late bloomers

Definitely Merciless.

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Nate Campbell

 

Sergio Martinez

 

Johnny Nelson - Got off to the worst start possible in a career and was abysmal at times, like watching paint dry. In the end he ended up a very capable CW champion and beat some decent fighters.

 

Orlando Salido

 

He actually had a double bloom. He was late 20s when he turned pro and was struggling to win domestic honours, but from 82 to 87 he was undefeated winning British title, drawing a Euro title fight and then winning an alphabet title.

Of course post Hearns is what most people remember, when he asked Steward to help him, and he duly went up another level. And for a couple of years was in the debate for the best 175lber, not least because Hill was still developing and we were still not quite sure about Prince Charles.

 

Ray Leonard was a late bloomer in many ways. Before the loss to Duran he was an aggressive fighter that wanted to knock you out.

After his defeat, he was changed into " Runner" Ray. He would act more than box, and throw pitty pat punches and move out of the way. He relied on boxing and speed.

Arguably this made him a " Better" fighter in many fans opinion. He went on to win titles and acclaim, and likely lasted longer than he would have had he stayed the old Ray Leonard.

 

Glen Johnson had a run in his mid to late 30's that included wins over Julio Gonzalez, Clinton Woods, Roy Jones and Antonio Tarver.

 

He was not bad and he was awkward and had a nice right which hurt Hearns, which shouldn't have but he had a way for throwing punches awkwardly and hit Hearns the way Barkley did also. Hearns was susceptible to wild punches thrown in the middle of exchanges, which was his fault. He would get too careless when he was offensive and leave himself open. But he rarely paid because he was so sharp. Where is Andries now?

 

Buster Dayton. If ever a fighter paid his dues it was Drayton. He was the main sparring for a prime Hagler 80-84 . At aged 34 Drayton became JMW World Champ in 86.

 

Great call. And I can bang out my story about watching Drayton on a London bill beating hot prospect Mark Kaylor in 84. Terry Lawless, Kaylor's manager/trainer had a torrid night as his other prospect Frank 'Bomber' Bruno also lost to perhaps another name for this thread James 'Boncecrusher' Smith.

Drayton/Kaylor even at the time should not have been considered that much of a shock as Drayton had already 'busted' the useful Jimmy Cable in a round the month before.

 

Drayton was Hagler's sparring partner? I know Dewitt was also. Were Hagler and Drayton friends?

 

Frankie Randall maybe?