Which fighters were able to overcome their limitations?

dodie penialosa

 

Howard Winsstone was missing the tops of 3 of his fingers

 

Marciano
Battling Battalino
Paul Berlenbach

 

I don't know about physical talent, but Wlad's been able to absolutely dominate the heavyweight division, even with that weak chin he has.

 

Greb, Julian Jackson and Frazier with bad eyes. Frazier also had a bad left arm.

Archie Moore had a massive stomach scar from a operation and devised a completely new style to protect his body.

 

Well Marciano was extremley naturally athletic so I dont know if he fits this criteria, but I think the fact he had just a 68" reach qualifies him for the list. Charlie Goldman taught him how to fight smaller and use more leverage which gave him more power. Tyson and Tua are two other fighters with 69 and 71" reaches that had similiar leverage

 

Strangley enough I think that Frazier's dodgy left arm actually contributed to his devastating left hook. Something to do with not being able to straighten his arm out properly and it naturally recoiling???

 

That's interesting. I believe something similar happened to Solly Kreiger, and Julian Letterlough.

 

Lennox Lewis. Coming out of the olympics he wasnt the greatest at handling pressure and a brawl. His chin was a big shaky as well, so Steward taught him how to hold and tie up on the inside.

 

Also Mike Tyson. One of the shortest most dominant champs ever. He learned how to use his lack of height to his advantage but becoming an excellent counterpuncher and infighter.

 

John Ruiz.

 

Vito Antuofermo is always the first name I think of. Short, not much of a reach, two left feet, susceptible to cuts, slow, no punching power, couldn't throw a straight punch to save his life, yet he became the only undisputed world champion in boxing purely through guts and physical conditioning. (If he had one favorable physical attribute though, it was an armored chin, although he was also a vastly underrated and subtle defensive fighter who had the knack of turning his head so that punches brushed past.)

Jim Watt was actually slower than the average lightweight, and could also bleed copiously. Like Antuofermo though, he worked hard and became physically strong, durable and aerobically fit. He turned back the taller and much more talented Sean O'Grady and Howard Davis, Jr. before making Arguello go the limit in one of the classiest career closing defeats of the age. He showed that a lack of speed, height, reach and mobility do not preclude the development of a fine jab and rhythm based boxing.

 

Bubi Scholz. When he first applied for a boxing license he was told he was too small, too weak and that he looks ill. Later on he got TBC and overcame that as well to celebrate his biggest successes.

 

I've seen Greg Haugen mentioned in similar threads before.