James J Braddock was going nowhere fast, lots of losses and then turned it around to become heavyweight champ.

Louis' return after the devastating loss to Schemeling was pretty good .... Ali didn't do too bad after being given a hiding by Smokin' Joe Frazier.

Sugar Ray went something like 40 undefeated till he lost to La Motta - then he went something like another 90 fights undefeated till he lost to Turpin (I stand to be corrected on the actual numbers, but hopefully you agree with my point)