BoxRec

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.

Mike McCallum?
Tarver?
Frank Liles?

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

bollox wrote: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.

Hopkins?

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

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

campbell

alexpaterson wrote: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.

the dingo is 53 and still undefeated

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?