Too Early Old, Too Late Smart

[HomicideHenry]

Who had a late start in boxing, and either failed because of it, or managed to achieve greatness despite of it?

Jess Willard, Ray Mercer, are the only two I can think of at Heavyweight who had late starts and managed to pick up titles on a world stage. On the other end of the spectrum, Paul Sykes 'The Wakefield Walloper', had a late start beginning his career at 30, but fell short of beating John L. Gardner for the British HW crown.

[My2Sense]

Mike McCallum?
Tarver?
Frank Liles?

[bollox]

I think Mike McCallum fought at the '78 Commonwealth Games and the '80 Olympics. But the real question is......did he achieve greatness? :??

[My2Sense]

I think Mike McCallum fought at the '78 Commonwealth Games and the '80 Olympics.

Sorry, I was thinking only of who had a late start in pro boxing. All three guys I listed had long amateur careers. I was thinking of guys who might've spent too long as amateurs to fulfill their talents as pros.

[observer1]

Hopkins?

[Flump]

Bonecrusher Smith, not a great of course but I don't think he laced on a pair of gloves until he was about 25.

[alexpaterson]

Martin Rogan only laced on the gloves at 29 also was Archie Moore not 35 when he had his 1st pro fight

[klompton]

campbell

[dempseyfire]

Martin Rogan only laced on the gloves at 29 also was Archie Moore not 35 when he had his 1st pro fight

Moore turned professional at 19.

[Adamj1987]

the dingo is 53 and still undefeated

[HomicideHenry]

He isnt undefeated. He lost his first fight, and the rest are arguably fixes. Havent u seen the films of his matches? Who the hell knocks a man out with a body slap? Who the hell quits in the corner after one or two rounds of sparring more or less?