BoxRec

KOJOE90 wrote:As we all know most fighters make comebacks for various reasons, but I was wondering which fighters made combacks after the longest period out of the ring? Why did they stop fighting then comeback after such a long period of time?

The ones that I know of are-

Toney Ayala Jr Career gap 20/11/82 to 20/08/99. Reason Jailed, then tried to resume boxing career and see what he had left.

Fred Houpe, Career gap 11/11/78 to 04/12/95. Reason unknown, came back after very long break to beat Leon Spinks in Leons last recorded fight. Fred was a very good Amateur, lost to Lyle whilst an amateur. As a pro could never beat the big names.

Carlos Palimino, Career gap 22/06/79 to 10/01/97. Reasons unknown.

Ron Lyle , Career gap 24/10/80 to 07/04/95. Came back to try and get a rematch with the comebacking George Foreman, it never happened.

George Foreman, Career gap 17/03/77 to 09/03/87. Retired to the church then made the greatest Boxing comback ever.

Tommy Farr, Career gap 07/08/40 to 27/04/50. Reasons unknown but during his comeback he did win the Welsh Heavyweight title so did achieve something.

Anybody know of any longer career breaks? Any info, comments etc fight fans?

delisa wrote:Fred Houpe 16 yrs. 5 mos. Somehow gets licensed after being retired - blind in one eye

KOJOE90 wrote:Berfore the server crashed a poster asked which UK fighter had the longest career break and we came up with Tommy Farrs ten year break.

Anymore?

stujones wrote:

KOJOE90 wrote:Berfore the server crashed a poster asked which UK fighter had the longest career break and we came up with Tommy Farrs ten year break.

Anymore?

Joe Bugner had a break of 3 years (1977-1980) and then a seperate 8 year break (1987-1995).

bollocks wrote:

stujones wrote:

KOJOE90 wrote:Berfore the server crashed a poster asked which UK fighter had the longest career break and we came up with Tommy Farrs ten year break.

Anymore?

Joe Bugner had a break of 3 years (1977-1980) and then a seperate 8 year break (1987-1995).

Keep this thread going for another decade and old Joe will make several more appearances. In the ring after a recent HW title fight he challenged the winner (yet again). Think he was joking, anyway

mercman wrote:I reckon Joe Bugner at his peak (ie in his 20s and - importantly - motivated to fight) would probably have beaten Ruiz.
I know it is easy to criticize Bugner and I too certainly see him as a serial under-achiever. But I also see him as seriously underrated. Lets forget about the 'Aussie' Joe years and the endless comebacks because on the few occassions a fit, motivated young Bugner turned up he was actually pretty good: big, good chin, good jab and when he fancied it he could punch too. I think he would have had enough to beat Ruiz.

delisa wrote:Here is a list I compiled some timne ago -- any additions??

Layoffs of 10 years or More

Fighter Layoff Comments

Doc Odum 22 yrs. 11 mos. Dentist comes back at age 46 after 1 bout in 1956
Freddy DeKerpel 21 yrs. 3 mos. Belgian heavy returns in draw against Coopman
Levi Forte (?)confirm? 20 yrs., 10 mos. Former Floyd Patterson foe returns in 4-round loss
Jerry Evans 20 LH Contender – to be checked
Jean-Pierre Coopman 18 yrs. Former Ali opponent returns against DeKerpel
Bobby Halpern 18 yrs. Clubfighter returned after prison stretch
Carlos Palomino 17 yrs. 6 mos. Former welter champ went 4-1
Kenny Lane 16 yrs., 9 mos. Perennial lightweight contender returned at age 50
Tony Ayala 16 yrs., 9 mos. Rapist went 5-1 before being arrested again
Fred Houpe 16 yrs. 5 mos. Somehow gets licensed after being retired - blind in one eye
Rickey Womack 15 yrs., 3 mos. Former amateur star served 15 years for robbery
Ron Lyle 14 yrs., 5 mos. Scored 4 straight kayos at age 54
Kentucky Rosebud 14 yrs., 1 mo. Returns at age 63 to kayo 45-year-old Johnson
John Henry Johnson 13 yrs., 11 mos.
Julio Serrano 13 yrs 10/16/82—11/3/95
Abdul Muhaymin 13 yrs 1984-1997
“Pee Wee” Suarez 12 yrs., 8 mos. 3/13/82—11/23/94
Mike Leonard 12 yrs. 4 mos. Turn-of-the-century battler tries comeback “well past” age 40
Urban Grass 12 years German lightweight makes 1-bout comeback after WW II
Terry Walker 11 yrs., 8 mos. 0-6, all kayo losses from 4/12/82 thru 5/21/83. Returned on 1/27/95 and is kayoed in one by Oscar Washington. Followed the Washington bout with four consecutive 1-Rd. KO losses.

Holsey Ellingburg 11 yrs., 5 mos. 11/17/82—4/27/94
Mike Baker 10 yrs., 9 mos. Former WBC 154 title challenger. KO’d by Robbie Sims on 7/26/84, returned on 5/12/95-TKO 2 over John Boys.

Danny Lopez 10 yrs., 8 mos. One-fight comeback at age 40
Duane Thomas 10 yrs. 6 mos. WBC 154-lb. Champ returns in April 2000, dies June 2000
Jeff Passero 10 yrs., 4 mos 5/24/83—9/23/93
Moises Fontana 10 yrs., 3 mos 4/10/85—7/13/95
Carmelo Negron 10 yrs., 3 mos. Erstwhile feather prospect returned at age 37
Tommy Farr 10 yrs., 1 mo. Welsh toughman and former Louis foe returned at age 36
Luis Angel Firpo 10 yrs. 1 mo. Wild Bull of the Pampas went 2-1 in Argentina at age 42
Mike Sam 10 yrs., 1 mo. 6/22/85—7/31/95
George Foreman 10 yrs Retired at age 28; regained heavy title at age 45
George Johnson 10 yrs Lightheavy Contender
Pete McIntyre 10 yrs. 4/1/86—4/24/96—Former NABF 175 Champ.
Alvin Hayes 9 yrs. 7 mo.


Longest Gap Between Return Bouts:

22 Years, 5 months: Larry Holmes vs. Mike Weaver -- -- Holmes repeats kayo of Weaver

20 Years, 1 month -- Waban “Tugboat” Thomas vs. Neil Wallace:
Waben Thomas kayoed Neil Wallace twice in 1957; In Dec 1977, Wallace and Thomas were rematched, Wallace winning by KO. (Thomas’s career highlights: losses to Charlie Norkus and Buster Mathis!)