Fighters who turn it around

[jmbtandy]

Pro boxing is a cruel sport and sometimes a fighter can be written off after a bad performance even if it is a winning performance, thinking of a few examples

Andre Dirrell - Very negative performance against Cirtus Stevens took him out of the limelight and he was unable to get decent fights or TV dates for nearly a year because of this, however he turned it around and with a great performance and entertaining fight against Anthony Hanshaw although the Stevens fight is not forgotten his is looked upon in a far more positive light

David Haye - Punched himself out and was KO'ed by veteran Carl Thompson, many wrote him off as not putting enough effort in and relying on his KO power, turned it around and now established Cruiserweight champion and is now stepping up to Heavyweight, many think he can revive the division

Roy Jones - A legend throughout his career but many believe should have quit after winning the heavyweight title, fought on and was ko'ed by Tarver and Johnson, picked himself up and is fighting on and is now lining up a mega money clash with Calzaghe which many believe he can win, personally still think he should have gone out on top after winning his Heavyweight title

Winky Wright - Spent a lot of his career as a relatively unknown fighter, travelled the world to get fights, robbed a couple of times, then made a big run in to finish his career beating Mosley twice, Trinidad, and holding his own at higher weight now known as one of the best.

[Thread Stealer]

Roberto Duran was hated after the quit job in Louisiana, but won the WBA 154. lb title two and a half years later from Davey Moore. Then at the age of 37, won the WBC title in a war with Iran Barkley.

Evander Holyfield surprised a lot of people with the rematch win over Riddick Bowe. The win over Mike Tyson was an even bigger surprise. Holyfield was a HUGE betting underdog.

People, including some members of Muhammad Ali's camp, were seriously concerned that Ali would get irreversibly damaged in the ring with George Foreman.

Sugar Ray Robinson was thought of as done when he came back after his failed dancing/singing career, and lost to Ralph Jones. He then win the MW title 3 more times.

[CutMeMick]

I remember early in 'Finito' Lopez career after he went the distance with Lucas I read in a magazine from Mexico that Lopez should have disposed Lucas. The article said that Lopez needed to become more of puncher if he ever wanted to do something great in the sport. After that fight he went on a 6 TKO wining streak and become who we all know today.

'The Mouse' Zaragoza quickly springs to mind. He along with several other boxers were written off several times during their careers but boy did they comeback. Lost to Lora & Fenech back to back but cameback, lost to Banke and cameback, lost to Jacobs & Patterson but cameback. Just simply amazing.

Wladdy was written off after the looses to Corrie & Lamon. Look at 'em now he's about to be Undisputed Champ.

Quintana after the Cotto loss was quickly written off.

Paulie after the Cotto loss was also written off.

Penalosa is another fighter whos been written off a couple of times but hes still champ.

Montiel was/is being given shit about his fight vs. Gorres & Melendez how he struggled with Z and Melendez and blah! blah! blah!
Montiel had moved up in weight and then had to get back down. Plus the long lay off but regardless he won those fights.

[CutMeMick]

Cotto was quickly written off after the Tony fight. He's damaged, he'll never win another title, he'll become a stepping stone. Same thing after the Pac fight and my boy keeps fighting on.
Darchinyan lost and cameback in fashion.
Ortiz not only after losing to Maidana but after the piss poor job vs. Peterson.
SSM on 2 occasions, after losing to Forrest (rip) gets the win over ODLH and then loses to Cotto looks horrible vs. Mayorga but puts on a great performance vs. Tony
How many times has "The road warrior" turned it around?

[marbleheadmaui]

Niiice post!

How about Dick Tiger who began 14-7 and went on to become two time undisputed 160 champ and undisputed 175 champ?

Freddie Pendleton was 17-15-2 when he got a draw with Livingstone Bramble and then went on a run and eventually gave Sweet Pea a tussle and won a strap at 135.

How about Glenn Johnson? He lost five in a row at one point and like seven out of ten and just kept battling.

Ezzard Charles got KO'd savagely back to back by Bivins and marshall IIRC as a young fighter. He took 18 months off and came back to become, well Ezzard Charles!

[Master]

Jorge Arce last performance was out of this world.

Shane Mosley also tends to turn it around and i wouldn't be surprised he goes out and beats Ortiz and gets back into the big picture again because he is fearless.

[THE THIRD MAN]

I have to say that Vic has turned it around remarkably considering what a shocking KO he suffered at the hands of Donaire. He has some impressive wins since and has lost close decisions to both Agbeko and Mares two very good Bantams, he then pummels Perez for 5 rounds and is back in the mix again.
Tszyu was almost cast off after he lost to Phillips, he returns to the ring stronger than ever and destroys Gonzalez and unifies the 140lb title for the first time in 30 years.
Jorge Arce has surprised us all as recently as this month, he was brutally beaten by Vic and yet this little warrior keeps on coming back for more and dishes out his own beating...amazing!

[Spicoli]

Name of Micky Ward always pops in mind. Not a fan but ol' Vinny Pazienza coming back from near career ending injury and training in a steel halo was nice...John Michael Johnson after some early losses then again later with solid wins...Like the story of Steve Little -RIP-coming back from early losses. Just raw guile and nil power but pulls solid upset for title over still viable Michael Nunn.

[ICB]

Terry Norris

[erics44]

jonny nelson

bernard hopkins

[ICB]

jonny nelson

bernard hopkins

I hate Johnny Nelson's fighting style, but yea he certainly did turn it around. He lost 10 of his 13 Amateur fights, lost his first 3 fights. Aswell as losing 7 out of 11 fights.

But then went undefeated for almost 10 years, and made 13 title defense's. Quite a story whether he was boring or not.

[THE THIRD MAN]

Rocky Lockridge was smoked by Juan La Porte in 2 heavy handed rounds then returns to win titles and lose close decisions to Eusebio Pedroza, Wifredo Gomez and JCC, all of those great champions had trouble with him.

[Master]

Nigel Benn turned it around after the Watson defeat and went to USA. He then turned it around after losing to Eubanks by winning WBC title.

[Spicoli]

Frankie Randall. Big time

[JazMerkin]

Carlos Monzon had a few losses and loads of draws in the early years of his career against unremarkable opposition before becoming a near unstoppable force once he was in with the best.