Fighters Who Have Turned You Around

[Pavlik]

the 140 lb Miguel Angel Cotto, I thought of him as a big 140 pounder the same way I look at Vic Ortiz. But when he moved to 147 pounds and saw that he was undersized in that division and was quite vulnerable I started rooting for him to the point of fanaticism. The man is genuine and humble and will always be one of my all time faves. Someday when I visit PR hopefully I could meet him in person and shake his hands

It is easier to see now as he nears his end, but looking back hasn't Cotto been what we want out of our fighters? Fit, tough, daring in the fights he took and highly skilled?

I couldnt have said it any better One word WARRIOR!

[Andre]

This bloke, right here; is where I thought I've never liked his style or lack of thought but I love his heart and sheer guts, he proved it more and more as his time went on.

[Dark Lord Al]

I hated Marvin Hagler , simply for beating Tommy Hearns.
I never liked Lennox Lewis for most of his boxing career.

Both turned my view of them around, Marvin because he was a gent out of the ring, and possibly the most fearsome looking fighter in it.
Lennox because i just accepted how good he really was, even though id spent most of his career hoping he would lose.

[p4pking]

Fighters that turn me around are the ones that beat my favourite fighters. When Mike McCallum beat Herol Graham, I looked at McCallums career and thought he is a good fighter and followed him.

Same with Tito when he beat Campus, and Oba Carr, then beating Vargas, by which time I was converted. As was I when B Hop beat Tito.

Manny Pacquia is the latest, no way did I think he could beat ODH, Hatton, and Cotto.

In 2004 if you had've said that a few years later Pac would maul ODH you would've been laughed at. ODH was fighting Hopkins at Middle and Manny was a Featherweight!!

In fairness if he had ever actually been able to beat Oscar in good form, despite how great we know Manny is now, it would shock the hell out of me. I think it's telling that people were still saying Hatton would be to big and strong for him AFTER he beat DLH down like that. His victory over DLH is really his least impressive in recent years all things considered, imo. Not to take away from his form that night but so many guys could've beaten Oscar in that shape. I watched that fight live at a bar fairly wasted and remember being irate thinking Oscar was throwing the fight, in hindsight he was just a corpse.

[greynotsoold]

Bobby Chacon. Little Red Lopez was my favorite fighter through the 70s and Chacon beat him. I held that grudge for many years.

[marbleheadmaui]

Bobby Chacon. Little Red Lopez was my favorite fighter through the 70s and Chacon beat him. I held that grudge for many years.

THAT is impressive and shows real fandom. I loved Little Red too but I found it impossible not to like the Schoolboy.

[TitoFan]

Good thread, marble.

Roberto Duran - I disliked him intensely after his lack of sportsmanship after the 1st Leonard fight. But as the years went by, I took to his warrior style and realized I was watching one of the all-time greats. By the time Hearns brutally KO'ed him, I almost felt sorry for the guy.

Zab Judah - Hated his gansta attitude in and out of the ring, and was beside myself with joy when KT bounced him off the canvas and Judah had that drunken stumble around the ring. But again... time softened my stance on him, and I came to admire his maturity in the later years. Still rooted for Cotto to knock him out, though.

Fernando Vargas - Didn't like his cocky attitude at all, and was KO'ed by Trinidad in what is still my favorite fight of all time. But as with Zab... time softened my view of him, and I came to not dislike him as much. Matter of fact, I rooted for him against De La Hoya. I wished he would've KO'ed the Golden Boy.

Aaron Pryor - It was very hard for me to forgive him for beating one of my favorite fighters of all time, Alexis Arguello. But again, later on I came to realize just how good the guy really was.

Larry Holmes - Geeeez, I couldn't stand that guy. Constantly whining about the lack of attention and press. Insulting the deceased Rocky Marciano saying "Marciano couldn't carry his jock". Going on and on about how he never got a break 'cause he was black. Blah, blah, blah. Was ecstatic when Tyson KTFO'ed him. Now..... oh what the hell am I talking about. I still can't stand the &$%@*$&^% whiner.





James Toney - (Ditto.... same as Holmes. Didn't like him then.... don't like him now).

[marbleheadmaui]

Good thread, marble.

Roberto Duran - I disliked him intensely after his lack of sportsmanship after the 1st Leonard fight. But as the years went by, I took to his warrior style and realized I was watching one of the all-time greats. By the time Hearns brutally KO'ed him, I almost felt sorry for the guy.

Zab Judah - Hated his gansta attitude in and out of the ring, and was beside myself with joy when KT bounced him off the canvas and Judah had that drunken stumble around the ring. But again... time softened my stance on him, and I came to admire his maturity in the later years. Still rooted for Cotto to knock him out, though.

Fernando Vargas - Didn't like his cocky attitude at all, and was KO'ed by Trinidad in what is still my favorite fight of all time. But as with Zab... time softened my view of him, and I came to not dislike him as much. Matter of fact, I rooted for him against De La Hoya. I wished he would've KO'ed the Golden Boy.

Aaron Pryor - It was very hard for me to forgive him for beating one of my favorite fighters of all time, Alexis Arguello. But again, later on I came to realize just how good the guy really was.

Larry Holmes - Geeeez, I couldn't stand that guy. Constantly whining about the lack of attention and press. Insulting the deceased Rocky Marciano saying "Marciano couldn't carry his jock". Going on and on about how he never got a break 'cause he was black. Blah, blah, blah. Was ecstatic when Tyson KTFO'ed him. Now..... oh what the hell am I talking about. I still can't stand the &$%@*$&^% whiner.





James Toney - (Ditto.... same as Holmes. Didn't like him then.... don't like him now).

The stuff on Holmes was classic!

I must admit I open minded on Zab a this point, If he does an Andre Agassi and grabs his late years by the throat and appraciates his gifts? I could be turned.

On Vargas I simply feel what I felt beginning when the Tito fight was announced. He was fed to the lions for the sake of a quick buck and it ruined a potentially great career. I feel sad about him.

[eagle]

I have changed my opinion of Froch. Couldn't stand the guy a few years ago. Had not beaten anybody of note and was talking up his chances against all the top guys. I was sure he would be KO'd as soon as he fought anyone top 10.
Seen how his done now and gotta commend him on taking on all and sundry, anywhere and doing well. Makes for exciting fights and has never been outclassed as of yet. Well done Carl.

[CommunistKevin]

Klitschko for me. I remember enjoying the corrie sanders fight over and over. And i was angry about the way Vitali acted after the fight. Now though i respect them both even if I'm not a fan per se.

Besides that I have only really been hardcore into boxing for about seven years so i still dislike pretty much everyone I ever disliked

[Master]

I am slowly starting to appreacite Khan as he is taking on the best that he can.