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I understand that Azumah Nelson and Marco Antonio Barrera both came from wealthy families. Any other fightes come to mind and does this prove that a boy doesnt need to be poor to be hungry.

Jorge wrote:I understand that Azumah Nelson and Marco Antonio Barrera both came from wealthy families. Any other fightes come to mind and does this prove that a boy doesnt need to be poor to be hungry.

Jim Corbett wasn't wealthy by any means, but given the era in which he fought, where prizefighting was still looked down upon by the middle and upper classes, he was far wealthier than his peers.

Boxing being looked down upon by the upper classes? What a strange and distant time it must have been!

BoxBuzz wrote:Boxing being looked down upon by the upper classes? What a strange and distant time it must have been!

Yeah, now almost no one even pays attention to boxing.

Not sure about this but wasn't Tunney from a middle class background?

Tunney worked as an office clerk for a steam ship company in New York when he turned pro. I wouldn't say he was wealthy, but he did have an above average income.
For a lot of fighters back then losing to Tunney was a nightmare. Tunney spent most of his spare time reading Shakesbare and other books which were favorites of upper class society. Kinda like losing to a rich bookworm. Not good for a prize fighter's reputation.
Tunney proved himself to be the real deal though. The book, "Golden Guy" by John Jarret is an excellent read on the man.

-KOKid-

Corbett came from middle class. His father owned a livery stable and he worked in a bank.

Philadelphia Jack O'Brien's family owned livery stables and real estate and he was refered to as having been born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Terry Daniels came from well to do real estate parents.

Lightweight contender Frankie Otero came from middle class background and has continued to do well as a real estate appraiser, broker and landlord.

Teddy Atlas' father was a doctor.

Pete Trematerra -fighter and presently a judge- comes from a family of real estate developers and is wealthy himself from his investments in the family business.

Sean O'Grady comes from middle class background. His father was a well known promoter, manager and booking agent.

Ken Norton comes from a middle class background.

Actor Tony Danza -who fought pro- also comes from a middle class background.

Some more information on this subject on one of my old threads.

http://www.boxrec.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15671