Great fighters who made it to the top through hard work

[Joey Giardello]

Fighters who lacked the hand speed, boxing skills or the big punch but made it through hard work in the gym

[Barn]

Rocky Marciano except for the big punch.

[The_Demon]

Glen Johnson seems to be on everyones lips right now and he is a good example

Ricky hatton really put the work in at the gym (although he wasnt a terrible boxer)

EDIT:I missed the 'great' bit

[Holtol]

I don't think you can become great on hard work alone. It may be nice to think that anyone can become a great all time boxer if they work hard enough. But I think you need talent and loads of talent. Also I think there is more to a boxing great then just speed and power.

[Barn]

Exactly, boxing is a thinking mans sport contrary to popular belief. I'm sure the Sugar Man(Robinson) once said it's all about angles and distances.

[Holtol]

Exactly, boxing is a thinking mans sport contrary to popular belief. I'm sure the Sugar Man(Robinson) once said it's all about angles and distances.

I also read In an interview Robinson that he had the ability to out rhythm his opponents. I also think the greats are geniuses in terms of boxing.

[Barn]

I also read In an interview Robinson that he had the ability to out rhythm his opponents. I also think the greats are geniuses in terms of boxing.

That's why he did dancing once his career as a boxer was over. He had incredible footwork and a great sense of rythmn as you stated.

[Holtol]

When he suggested he could out rhythm his opponents I took it as the ability to recognize their pattern and to realize when they realized his own pattern or rhythm. But this ability may have also helped him dance a little to lol. I read in a book that Ali awas a terrible dancer but I think he had great pattern recognition also.

[joseph5620]

I don't think you can become great on hard work alone. It may be nice to think that anyone can become a great all time boxer if they work hard enough. But I think you need talent and loads of talent. Also I think there is more to a boxing great then just speed and power.

I feel the same way.