BoxRec

Some fighters a lot more unlucky than others when it comes to getting injuries. One that springs to mind is David Haye who had to pull out of several fights which included the 2002 Commonwealth Games (bicep) and pro fights against Hobson (hamstring), Klitschko (back), Charr (hand), Fury twice (cut then shoulder) and Bellew (bicep). This isn't including his injured big toe after the Klitschko fight and two bouts with Bellew where his ankle went in both. He also claimed his hand went in the Valuev fight.

It does make you wonder how much more Haye could've achieved if his body wasn't so fragile, he was a pro for 16 years and only had 32 fights.

What other fighters have had their careers affected due to multiple injuries?

If you count cuts then guys like Henry Cooper should get a shout. Cooper was never much more than a contender at best but he was hindered by cuts.

Other guys like Calzaghe seemed to do okay despite fragility.

The whole of the sport got unlucky with Ray Leonard's detatched retina.

How different the mid-1980s would have been.

Ezzard wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025, 11:36 If you count cuts then guys like Henry Cooper should get a shout. Cooper was never much more than a contender at best but he was hindered by cuts.

Other guys like Calzaghe seemed to do okay despite fragility.

Same for Minter, 7 of his 8 stoppage losses were due to cuts.

I heard Calzaghe say in some ways his fragile hands helped in that he had to rely more on boxing, speed and fitness rather than punch power

Controversial wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025, 11:57

Ezzard wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025, 11:36 If you count cuts then guys like Henry Cooper should get a shout. Cooper was never much more than a contender at best but he was hindered by cuts.

Other guys like Calzaghe seemed to do okay despite fragility.

Same for Minter, 7 of his 8 stoppage losses were due to cuts.

I heard Calzaghe say in some ways his fragile hands helped in that he had to rely more on boxing, speed and fitness rather than punch power

Yes, MInter, of course.

Have to agree with Calzaghe. It transformed him from a British great to a world great.

Gerrie Coetzee. I think his right hand got busted every fight. Than he got some kinda fusion done and it became the “ bionic right hand”.

Expug wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025, 12:21 Gerrie Coetzee. I think his right hand got busted every fight. Than he got some kinda fusion done and it became the “ bionic right hand”.

As soon as I saw the name "Gerrie Coetzee" I knew what was coming. Great shout.

Ezzard wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025, 12:28

Expug wrote: ↑09 Jul 2025, 12:21 Gerrie Coetzee. I think his right hand got busted every fight. Than he got some kinda fusion done and it became the “ bionic right hand”.

As soon as I saw the name "Gerrie Coetzee" I knew what was coming. Great shout.

Thanks. It’s funny how we don’t hear much about him at all anymore. He was dangerous in his time. Could really bang.

Michael Spinks accomplished much, but probably would've done more had it not been for chronic knee issues.

If you include cuts, Vito Antuofermo needs a shout out. Dude started bleeding during the introductons and had surgery above his eyes to make the area less cut prone, although it didn't work.

I remember Monzon had hand problems throughout his title reign, including arthritis in his right hand, which was his KO hand

Sergio Martinez' career as a top fighter essentially ended when he blew out his knee in the 12th round of the Chavez fight. The injury never really healed properly and without movement he was a sitting duck

I think hand issues is pretty common for obvious reasons

Gerry Cooney comes to mind.
mainly the muscle on his upper back/shoulder region.
caused him too much off time during his prime boxing years.

Kell Brook. Stabbed in the leg after finally winning a title (if that counts as an injury in this context). Then two broken orbital bones in separate fights.

Paulie M, bad hands.