Which fighters did you use to dislike but grew on you?

Herol Graham. Really disliked is hands down style and his constant pushing. So happy after the 1st Kalambay loss but started to warm to him after that.
Was a really huge fan on his comeback, he looked brilliant in completely dismantling Chris Johnson and nearly dethroning Charles Brewer

 

Lennox Lewis. Thought he was boring and preferred the American heavies like Tyson, Holyfield, Foreman and somewhat regrettably Briggs. I grew to appreciate his style and excellence a lot more during his last few fights and the war vs. Vitali really turned me to his side in addition to the Rahman 2 knockout. Same could be said for Wlad and his war vs. Joshua.

 

I used to hate Canelo's guts. Then I started going through his fight catalogue and watching interviews and now I really like the guy and can't get enough of his style.

 

Hated Mayweather for his attitude but as a boxing fan just admire his great skill.

 

yeah I wasn't a huge LL fan either, but began to see his excellence, though I still think a cleared headed earlier Tyson polaxes him.

 

Oscar, Canelo, and Pac.

 

Probably Canelo

 

Ali is slowly, VERY, VERRYYYYYYYY slowly growing on me.

 

I loved Jones at the time - still do. Phenomenally talented fighter who, somewhat surprisingly, became the poster boy for carrying on too long.
Anyway, to answer the question... for me it's Hopkins. Wasn't really a fan of his fighting style or his attitude at the time. But towards the end of his career - and especially after - I've really come to appreciate his incredible achievements, how he turned his life around (post prison) and his general outlook on life.

 

Honestly, Holmes. I was not a fan in real time although I acknowledged his greatness. I've done a 180 there in that I admire the way he did business and avoided BS.

 

Meldrick Taylor, Aaron Pryor, Azuhma Nelson and George Chuvalo - I don’t think they’re great” and “underrated” or whatever but they’re just fighters I like to watch now.
Someone I don’t enjoy watching anymore is Kostya Tszyu, he was good but I see a lot of guys who could do everything he did and more against better.
Sometimes I might go to watch Kostya and say to myself “His opposition…” or “Why not…?” Not so much a dislike but that he is overshadowed by the abundance of choice made available.

 

Larry Holmes

When I became an adult, I realized he displayed as much heart and toughness as any fighter who ever entered the ring. Arguably the most dangerous fighter of all time when “hurt” unreal recuperation abilities

 

Mike Tyson I hated that he got convicted of ****, and resented him for beating up rusty ass Grandpa Holmes.

Since being on this forum I have come to see him as easily a top 10 ATG, his 80s output was simply sensational.

 

BS isn't the only thing he avoided....