BoxRec

How many fighters can you think of that had losing starts to their career, but ended up champions?

Obvious one is Bernard Hopkins, lost his first fight (and his 22nd ish to RJJ), now a boxing legend.

Anymore notable "losers" that made the change to become champions? Lomachenko a future example, albeit in different circumstances.

The Marquez brothers each lost their first fight.

Alexis Arguello
Henry Armstong
Orlando Salido

Honestly there are tonnes of guys like this.

Didn't Johnny Nelson loss his first 3 fights?

Bugner

Benny Leonard was stopped due to a badly bleeding nose. He would go on to be one of the greatest lightweight's of all time.

DougieCampbell wrote:Didn't Johnny Nelson loss his first 3 fights?

Forgot about Nelson!! Losing first 3 and 5 of first 10, plus good 2 or 3 world title fights before he eventually "got there" shows immense inner belief

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai started 1-3-1 with a debut loss to Akira Yaegashi!

Richard Dunn got sparked by Danny McAlinden in one round in his pro debut; Dunn went on to challenge Muhammad Ali for the world heavyweight title. Bunny Sterling lost his first three, a man later to destroy Maurice Hope.
Mike Weaver got done in his pro debut.

JMM was DQ'd in his debut

Steve Robinson was 5-6 after his first 11 fights.

Commonwealth amateur champions Mark Rowe and Johnny Clark debuted on the same bill and both failed to win,(Rowe lost and Clark drew). Both went on to become British champions.(Clark also European)