What about Mayorga? Lost his first fight and he was like a part-time boxer, he was supposed to be "fed" to Diobelis Hurtado,here in PR, but they drew, then he built his way up until he KOed Six Head Lewis to become a word champion.
Winky did. He had amateur experience but no connections. Just him and Birmingham. That's why he had to do the world tour thing early on for many fights.