Which Boxer's Rise To The Top Have You Found Most Inspirational?

Kelly Pavlik - He had to endure racism when he was an up and comer...People never gave him a chance because he is a white kid from Midwest America, he was labelled as "Great White Hope", "Great White Hype", "White kid from the midwest that can't fight"... you know...all those racist bull**** stereotypes. Pavlik proved everybody wrong, he was the underdog against Miranda and most people thought he would get blasted out in a couple rounds.....Pavlik destroyed Miranda in 7 rounds....Pavlik was the underdog against Taylor, he knocked Taylor out cold and outboxed him and clearly beat him in the rematch. Kelly Pavlik is the Undefeated, Undisputed Middleweight Champion of the world and a great inspiration to White American boxers Hmmm. Pacquaio homeless as a kid....bernard in jail.....oscars mom dying....Kelly Pavlik faces doubts about boxing ability based on being white. I'm not sure it matches up TBH. Plus I'm never comfortable with white people (I am white) complaining about suffering racism. I'm thinking every black person in the US has probably suffered worse racism than Kelly Pavlik. Its just my opinion... ________ MARIJUANA VAPORIZER

out of the guys listed i would say oscar.... ouma is my top guy though...

Kelly Pavlik

I had to pick pacquiao, 3rd world country, no education at all, he ran away from home like 11 years old, his family was dirty poor, became a name fighter in his country,went to the usa, rejected by the big name trainers like steward, and rejected by the big name promoters like Top Rank, freddie roach took him in after only 2 weeks training he was to be a walk over last minute filler for the champion ledwaba...and demolished him....then larry merchant says "I dont know who he is I have never heard of him but I wanna see him again" something like that...dude is an ICON in his country and went from eating scraps to making Millions in the united states and asia. if that doesn't give you hope I dont know what will. . I didn't know any of this. Amazing story.

Here, I've included the link to all the parts to the No Fear, Manny Pacquiao story. If you really wanna know how hard it was for him and what it was like growing up to the point of his Ledwaba conquest, watch them. Covers everything from his KO losses, to many of his early fights in school gyms. http://youtube.com/results?search_query=No+Fear+Manny+Pacquiao+story&search_type=

I don't want to sound like a pessimist, but I'll just come out and say that I'm a little dissappointed in Ouma especially. I know that it's great for him to have made it this far, but from what I've heard, he's pissing his skills away in Miami. He doesn't train hard and he's set himself back very far now, with 3 straight losses. It's like he's satisfied with where he's made it so far and decided to just party it up. In a way you can't blame him, but in another you wonder why he should waste what got him here in the first place. No, I think you're right dead on the money with this. :fing02: You have to wonder if the change in environment and certain influence(s) hasn't sucked some or all of that motivation out of him. I won't try and expand too much on what you've said because it's pitch perfect - tremendous words, K. ....All I can say is that I'm suprised and disappointed where things are going. I know the people who bet on Kassim last week feel the same way. That wasn't even him.. Fire, that shit is huge. He's a great living example.

Yeah, I didn't add those fellas to the poll as a fresh angle on the hard luck/against the odds story, K. Peaking and success are it for this one. Miranda and Ouma have stories that rival the toughest I've ever heard. I don't want to sound like a pessimist, but I'll just come out and say that I'm a little dissappointed in Ouma especially. I know that it's great for him to have made it this far, but from what I've heard, he's pissing his skills away in Miami. He doesn't train hard and he's set himself back very far now, with 3 straight losses. It's like he's satisfied with where he's made it so far and decided to just party it up. In a way you can't blame him, but in another you wonder why he should waste what got him here in the first place.

I agree with Addy on this one. Manny had a slim to none chance. Miranda and Kassim Ouma would be close, but I feel like they still haven't completely reached the peak. Especialy Kassim.. Yeah, I didn't add those fellas to the poll as a fresh angle on the hard luck/against the odds story, K. Peaking and success are it for this one. Miranda and Ouma have stories that rival the toughest I've ever heard.

I went with Manny. This guy is a once in a generation athlete like Jordan, Ruth, Pele or Ali depending on where you live. He has transcended the sport in many parts of the world, and everywhere else he's respected. The excitement he brings can be felt through a TV screen. The only other guy I know who could do that in our time was The Notorious one. The gritty details are shocking. I've also been impressed with his humanity and gentleness. Special guy. I agree with Addy on this one. Manny had a slim to none chance. Miranda and Kassim Ouma would be close, but I feel like they still haven't completely reached the peak. Especialy Kassim..

Everytime I see his story on the hbo countdowns it makes me not pity myself...this kid had to eat trash can food and sleep near the dumpsters, and most of all Manny pacquiao is what Boxing is all about...its a way out, its an opportunity, people knock it as a violent sport but manny said it best "without Boxing I am nothing I am a nobody" Boxing is what made him. I would also include Freddie Roach as an inspirational story those two guys meeting up is like destiny there whole story combined is inspirational to me. Good post. ^ Thanks for the vid. I'm watching it right now. :fing02:

pacquiao and ouma

Mike Tyson of course......

I went with Manny. This guy is a once in a generation athlete like Jordan, Ruth, Pele or Ali depending on where you live. He has transcended the sport in many parts of the world, and everywhere else he's respected. The excitement he brings can be felt through a TV screen. The only other guy I know who could do that in our time was The Notorious one. The gritty details are shocking. I've also been impressed with his humanity and gentleness. Special guy.

I pick Pacman out of that list. His background and hard work, and most importantly where he stands today and for how long he's been at this level(He's probably top 2 P4P Boxer in the world for most people), it's truly inspirational.

Kassim Ouma! Without a doubt.

Manny Pacquiao without a doubt. It's reason I'm a huge fan. He's given me hope in a lot of my past situations when I thought about his rise to the top. He went from a nobody, homeless kid on the street doing whatever it took to eat and survive. How he had a friend that took him in to teach him the basics of boxing and develope power punching mainly focusing on 1 big punch, which is where he got hooked on his big left hand. Then he goes on to the USA after conquering Asia, and makes a strong dent in the boxing scene with his 2 weeks notice annhilation of then champ, Ledwaba. Then you keep watching this kid destroy all these guys in his way, but you don't really know how great he is yet. Not until he calls out Barrera after he knocks out Lucero in the post fight interview. "First of all, I want Marco Barrera". He gets Barrera, and doesn't miss his opportunity. Destroys Barrera, and then goes onto iconic status with his victories over Morales and Marquez. Yet he was just alil poor kid walkin the streets of Manila trying to survive.

yeah.i didn't read it threw. ouma miranda.

From a life standpoint, you could name lots of fighters who came up from nothing. From a boxing standpoint, I picked Pavlik. He took the long hard road to the top. Fought guys nobody else wanted to fight. I mean hardened tough as nails guys. You don't see that often anymore. You see guys taking the easy route all the time. Although I don't think Pavlik will be a long term champion, you gotta give him props. His hands got him to the top, not marketing or skilled matchmaking.

Kelly Pavlik - He had to endure racism when he was an up and comer...People never gave him a chance because he is a white kid from Midwest America, he was labelled as "Great White Hope", "Great White Hype", "White kid from the midwest that can't fight"... you know...all those racist bullshit stereotypes. Pavlik proved everybody wrong, he was the underdog against Miranda and most people thought he would get blasted out in a couple rounds.....Pavlik destroyed Miranda in 7 rounds....Pavlik was the underdog against Taylor, he knocked Taylor out cold and outboxed him and clearly beat him in the rematch. Kelly Pavlik is the Undefeated, Undisputed Middleweight Champion of the world and a great inspiration to White American boxers

Calzaghe and Pavlik probably should be on the top for the most inspirational since they were underdogs in their own nations. Calzaghe was an underdog against lacy(i have no idea why he was considered the undersdog in tha fight) And Pavlik has been considered the underdog since Miranda*someone he wasn't suppose to beat who claimed he was only beat because of the weight, Miranda bs and pride can't admit he lost to Pavlik fair and square in some aspects.* And he was an underdog against Taylor. Not a huge underdog against taylor since he got respect from the public when he beat Miranda but still an underdog.