Great boxers seemed to be forged from poverty or at the very least a working class background. Some got into boxing for a way out or just to stay of the streets and avoid getting into trouble.
But who are the greats that came from a priviledge background and boxing was their choice not there only choice to make something of themselves.
Barrera was from a middle class background, and Khan and Froch too were well off growing up.
Which top boxers have come from a middle class or even a upperclass background.
To keep with the trend of saying boxing "son's", that probably grew up quite well... How bout Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., who took up the sport age 21 after deciding to discontinue his education.
I think that's really what it comes down to: Having the opportunity to pursue an education, but deciding to box.
I'm very interested to hear more about Sam Peter though.
I thought Khan's familly are well off. Same for Froch, I know he has quite a bit of property was boxing was not his main source of income untill very recently, but not a 100% on his early years.
Was was Peter's dad into.
Probably best not use the term great meaning ATG but maybe as champion or we would have a very short list.
There’s a video of Froch talking about his childhood on youtube; he calls himself working class and talks about living on a council estate.
And Khan’s dad ran a mechanics, those guys usually break-even.
I’m not sure what Peter’s dad was into, I just remember hearing that he was wealthy.
Since Froch, Khan and Hatton (all working-class) have been mentioned I guess the term ’great’ can be substituted for ’popular’, I’ll throw in Sam Peter -- his dad was a multi-millionaire.
I thought Khan's familly are well off. Same for Froch, I know he has quite a bit of property was boxing was not his main source of income untill very recently, but not a 100% on his early years.
Was was Peter's dad into.
Probably best not use the term great meaning ATG but maybe as champion or we would have a very short list.
Since Froch, Khan and Hatton (all working-class) have been mentioned I guess the term ’great’ can be substituted for ’popular’, I’ll throw in Sam Peter -- his dad was a multi-millionaire.
Hatton middle class, lol.
I'd say that most boxers from the UK aren't middle class.
Yeah his whole image was the working class boxer you could have a beer with.
I believe his parents were pretty poor and he started boxing professionally because they became ill and he had to pay medical bills. After winning the olympics, he actually said he wasn't going to become a pro, but obviously there was a change of plans.
Ok thanks for that.
Was Sugar Ray Leonard from a well background too?
I believe his parents were pretty poor and he started boxing professionally because they became ill and he had to pay medical bills. After winning the olympics, he actually said he wasn't going to become a pro, but obviously there was a change of plans.
Nino Benvenuti, Joe Calzaghe, the Klit. bros, Ricky Hatton.
Of course none of these comes froma welthy fmily, but they weren't Tyson a-likes.
Calzaghe was not middle class, Don't think Hatton was as well.
Klit brother's are tricky one, because how does that work in a communist country where everyone is ment to be equal. Their father was an air force pilot probably led a more privilege life than most.
Marco Antonio Barrera.... and oddly enough, he was a brawler in his early career
Marco's family was quite well, of, I think his parents were a laywer and a doctor, he could have been a laywer as well, think he got to his final year in law school, but the world championship fights got in the way.