usually when a championship level fighter comes off that plane the game is up. It really is uncommon once a once great fighter is past it for him to win a big fight again. But uncommon isn't never. Every once in a while a great old champion somehow pulls a rabbit out of a hat and gets one last moment of glory. Here are some of them.
Jack Dempsey-Gene Tunney had taken his crown in a dominant fashion and The Manassa Mauler figured he was done at 32. But he takes a fight with the Boston Gob, and future champion, Jack Sharkey. Sharkey is ahead after six rounds when Dempsey remembers what a hard man he is. He hits Sharkey low and when Sharkey turns to the ref to complain? Demspey lands a left hook and knocks Sharkey flat.
Michael Carbajal-Little Hands of Stone is 32 and hasn't won a fight of real consequence in two years. But he gets a fight with 20 year old 108 champ Jorge Arce. For ten rounds it is a beating as the Lollipop Cowboy does what younger fighters have done to older ones for centuries. Cut, swollen and exhausted Carbajal's heart remains undiminished and he stalks the champion and then BOOM! One straight right hand and Carbajal retires with a belt.
Mickey Walker-The legendary Toy Bulldog has been wrecked by Max Schmeling, lost to Lou Broulliard and he's really running down. But in his last world class fight he takes on reigning 175 king Maxie Rosenbloom in an over the weight fight. Walker, who had lost to Maxie in a title fight six months before drops the champ in round one and coasts to a decision win.
Alexis Arguello-It's been almost three years since the Hawk stopped him for the second time and Arguello is 34. Billy Costello is the #4 ranked 140 in the world and for three rounds he makes Alexis look slow, awkward and old. Then in the fourth round announcer Tim Ryan wonders aloud "Does Arguello still HAVE that big punch." Three seconds later El Flaco Explosivo lands a straight right hand that leaves Costello flat out.
Muhammad Ali-He's 37, he is already suffering the effects of the Parkinson's Pugilistica that will shatter his later years, it is three years since the Thrilla in Manila and there is no reason to believe his legs can still move him for half a fight let along 15 rounds. And yet fighting largely from memory, Muhammad Ali wins the undisputed heavyweight crown for the third time by decisioning Leon Spinks.
Jimmy McLarnin-The Manny Pacqiuao of his time. He is 29 and at the end of the road. He loses back to back fights to Barney Ross and Tony Canzoneri. But he fights twice more. How does he finish his storied career? He beats Canzoneri and Lightning Lou Ambers. Not too shabby.
Kid Gavilan-The Cuban Hawk is long past his best. It's been three years since his last title fight and he's been a .500 fighter since. But at 31 he summons his greatness one last time to decision ranked welter Gaspar Ortega and then retires a year later.
Someday Bernard Hopkins will be on this list and Erik Morales came awfully close last month.
