Comebacks, longest career breaks ever.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 31 Dec 2003, 12:46

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?

crooked nose · Post by **crooked nose** » 31 Dec 2003, 14:19

Lightweight Kenny Lane made a comeback in the '80s when he was more than fifty-something. Some commissions were reluctant to let him fight, but he was fit and had about a half-dozen bouts against fair opposition.
I say if a guy is fit, let him fight. Age shouldn't matter. There are guys in their twenties who are so beat they should be suspended. The goal should be to prevent serious injury. As things stand now, the powers that be fail to do that.

crooked nose · Post by **crooked nose** » 31 Dec 2003, 14:36

Herbert (Doc) Odom, a Chicago dentist, made a comeback in 1979 after 23 years away from the ring. He had been an NCAA champ in '55 and '56, lost his pro debut and then went full time into dentistry. Came back and won four fights from'79 to '83.

Carlos Zarate abruptly quit after his points loss to Lupe Pintor in 1979. Came back in '85 or '86 at jr. feather and managed to earn title shots at Fenech and Zaragoza.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 31 Dec 2003, 15:10

[quote="crooked nose"]Herbert (Doc) Odom, a Chicago dentist, made a comeback in 1979 after 23 years away from the ring. He had been an NCAA champ in '55 and '56, lost his pro debut and then went full time into dentistry. Came back and won four fights from'79 to '83.
quote]

WOW

23 years between fights that's amazing. I remember on one of Foremans comback fights (Cooney or Holyfield maybe) they were showing some statistics about 'Oldest fighters ever' etc and I remember a Dentist being mentioned it must have been Herbert.

Thanks for the info.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 01 Jan 2004, 18:59

Londoner Pat Floyd won the ABA heavyweight title in 1929 (when an ABA title meant something) - and won it again in 1946.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 15 Feb 2004, 13:11

I've just come across another very long gap between fights.

Heavyweight Levi Forte, 07/07/75 to 22/01/99.

This guy is now back in training hoping to fight George Foreman!!!

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 15 Feb 2004, 16:18

damn you got to levi foret before me.

check out tony ayala jr.

also abdul muhaymin (journeyman heavyweight previously known as tommy stevenson)

quit in the early 80s, came back in his 40s, about FIFTEEN years later, straight into a ten rounder v tony tucker and lasted the distance!! and then he did it next up again, v oliver mccall!!!

obvious guys like foreman, lyle and shavers.

future inductee to this esteemed list: ike ibeabuchi. look for his resurrection in 2015.

Richie Aprille rules · Post by **Richie Aprille rules** » 15 Feb 2004, 18:18

Bobby Halpern, Heavyweight: 1958 to 1976 (he spent 17 years in prison for armed robbery)

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 16 Feb 2004, 11:52

overhand_right wrote:damn you got to levi foret before me.

check out tony ayala jr.

also abdul muhaymin (journeyman heavyweight previously known as tommy stevenson)

quit in the early 80s, came back in his 40s, about FIFTEEN years later, straight into a ten rounder v tony tucker and lasted the distance!! and then he did it next up again, v oliver mccall!!!

obvious guys like foreman, lyle and shavers.

future inductee to this esteemed list: ike ibeabuchi. look for his resurrection in 2015.

Overhand, you appear to be a fan of the Heavyweights, do you know anything about Leon Spinks last opponent?

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.

Palais · Post by **Palais** » 17 Feb 2004, 20:02

Neil Welch (Cornelius Walsh), heavyweight who started as a pro in 1952 but hung them up in 1963, came back to beat Waban Thomas on a TKO 8, in Charlotte, NC, June 1977. 47 years old.

mozzainoz · Post by **mozzainoz** » 18 Feb 2004, 04:49

Rocky Balboa-1985(rocky iv) - 2004?(rocky vi)

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 18 Feb 2004, 08:43

Paul Porior.

Fought as a jnr middleweight in boston under the petronelli's with a young Marvin Hagler.

Porier stopped fighting at 154 in 1976ish and came back to fight Larry Holmes in about 1993. He was about 10 or 12 years younger than Holmes.

The Keed · Post by **The Keed** » 18 Feb 2004, 18:07

Don't know if anyone's mentioned Danny "Little Red" Lopez yet, but he had a career break of about 12 years. He retired after he was beaten up twice by Sal Sanchez, but then came back after seeing George Foreman's comeback. I think a lot of guys were inspired to make comebacks by Foreman.

Eddie Cantor · Post by **Eddie Cantor** » 19 Feb 2004, 18:15

If I recall, Middleweight contender Georgie Johnson returned after a 10 year layoff at 40. Recall he did very well as a lightheavyweight.
Of course Jack Dempsey came back in 1940 at 45 for a few exhibition Knockouts.
Didn't Paul Porier(spelled wrong I believe) retire undefeated as a middleweight & return 17 years later as a heavyweight.
Art"TapCity"Harris did a jail stretch & returned after a number of years.
Heavyweight Soloman McTier layed off about 10 years.

ZHAOTI · Post by **ZHAOTI** » 02 Aug 2004, 07:51

its paul poirier

its hard to believe how anyone can went from being a junior welterweight all the way up to heavyweight lolz
started his career at age 16 as a junior welterweight and retired at 18 as a middleweight, errrrrr a really weird career and then come back 15 years later as a heavyweight.

in his last bout he was knocked out by your infamous larry holmes, i wonder why couldnt he continue to fight on ?? how would he fare from being a natural middleweight and blown up all the way to heavyweight ??
strength-wise i think his punching power wont increase as his weight would demonstrate, meaning physically hes a heavyweight but his strength is still stays around middleweight. am i correct ?

The Scranton Assassin · Post by **The Scranton Assassin** » 03 Aug 2004, 13:36

KOJOE90 wrote:
crooked nose wrote:Herbert (Doc) Odom, a Chicago dentist, made a comeback in 1979 after 23 years away from the ring. He had been an NCAA champ in '55 and '56, lost his pro debut and then went full time into dentistry. Came back and won four fights from'79 to '83.
quote]

WOW 23 years between fights that's amazing. I remember on one of Foremans comback fights (Cooney or Holyfield maybe) they were showing some statistics about 'Oldest fighters ever' etc and I remember a Dentist being mentioned it must have been Herbert.

Thanks for the info.

The Scranton Assassin · Post by **The Scranton Assassin** » 03 Aug 2004, 13:41

KOJOE90 wrote:
crooked nose wrote:Herbert (Doc) Odom, a Chicago dentist, made a comeback in 1979 after 23 years away from the ring. He had been an NCAA champ in '55 and '56, lost his pro debut and then went full time into dentistry. Came back and won four fights from'79 to '83.
quote]

WOW 23 years between fights that's amazing. I remember on one of Foremans comback fights (Cooney or Holyfield maybe) they were showing some statistics about 'Oldest fighters ever' etc and I remember a Dentist being mentioned it must have been Herbert.

Thanks for the info.

I have de-zha-vu(bad spelling). I remember this same exact post abot a year or so ago and I remember someone posting the exact same post as is above. It may have even been by the same person.

If I remember correctly, Jerry Quarry also had a big gap in his pro carrer.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 12 Sep 2004, 13:11

I've just found two more

Former Heavyweight Contender Jean-Pierre Coopman 16/05/81 to 05/04/99 that's 18 years!!!

Former European Light-Heavyweight contender Freddy DeKerpel 07/01/78 to 05/04/99, that's 21 years!!!

The 05/04/99 date is when they fought each other to a 6 round draw.

delisa · Post by **delisa** » 13 Sep 2004, 13:07

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!)

robert.snell1 · Post by **robert.snell1** » 15 Sep 2004, 12:47

what an amazing list. Is there an age limit currently enforced ?

63 is quite something

Palais · Post by **Palais** » 15 Sep 2004, 14:58

GREAT show Mike!!!

If you recognize Johnny Featherman I-II as the same fighter, he had an 18 years layoff, (17 years, 4 months).

Johnny Featherman I - 1960-72
Johnny Featherman II- 1990-97

And, of course; Ronny Wilson, Canada 1983-99 = 17 years

Matt · Post by **Matt** » 15 Sep 2004, 18:01

Another one; Dale Grant (Sugar Ray Seales half-brother) -- Mar 84 to Sep 95 (11 years, 6 months)

Palais · Post by **Palais** » 16 Sep 2004, 02:16

Sorry, Featherman was a mistake.
It's two different people.
Ronny Wilson though seems to be correct.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 17 Sep 2004, 17:12

Thanks delisa, thats a great list.

I'm afraid to say thought that we may be adding Riddick Bowe to this thread soon.

I hope Bowe doesn't get hurt in this comeback.

elmersalsa · Post by **elmersalsa** » 17 Sep 2004, 18:48

How about former welterweight contender Johnny Gant??? His last fight was in march 1980 losing to Sugar Ray Leonard's older brother Roger. He also lost to Sugar Ray (LKO8) the year before. After that fight with Roger, he came back 17 years later vs Earl Allen (L8) on feb 1997.