Our most recent rags-to-riches story Carlos Baldomir should get a mention.

http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php...7612&cat=boxer

From 28-9-4 and losing to a man who lost two bouts either side of beating Baldomir before retireing to going on a 7 year winning streak, beating four undefeated fighters including Joshua Clottey before taking the linear welterwweight championship of the world by beating Zab Judah and cementing his posistion by TKOing living legend Arturo Gatti. Before losing to Mayweather Baldomir stood at 43-9-6 a 17 fight winning streak.