Which boxer, past or present, has the most amazing story?

[anonymous2.0]

I'd like to see a Jack Johnson movie. Blair Cobbs's story would make a good comedy movie.

IIRC Orlando Salido grew up in a dirt floor house and still owns that house to this day and shows it to his kids to let them know where he came from.

[just the facts]

Roberto Duran........

[Johnny Rubber]

I think it comes down to what we consider amazing or inspiring as individuals. Poverty, domestic abuse or criminal activities etc can be overcome, but the residual damage tends to affect some people in later life. Overcoming adversity or establishing yourself with class and respect should always be applauded. That said, I consider the mind to be the hardest prison to escape from, because it all comes down to the person.

[BZBEE]

Rocky Balboa of course.

[creekrat77]

Rod Salka comes to mind or Paulie Malignaggi

[GhostofDempsey]

Dempsey went from a teenage homeless hobo fighting grown men for money just to eat--to HW champion and the most popular athlete of his era, exceeding Babe Ruth and elevating boxing to the top sport of the 1920s.

Langford, Greb and Flowers fought and won many a fight half blind. Langford at 5'7" 165 was fighting HWs that were 6 - 8" taller and 40 - 50+ pounds heavier.

Sonny Liston was one of up to 25 siblings and half-siblings living in utter poverty. He plowed farms and eventually spent time in and out of prison before finally turning to boxing and becoming HW champion of the world. Because of his criminal past, he was never embraced or accepted by fans and was often portrayed as a thug or bully, which was horribly inaccurate.

Edison Miranda was born in Colombia and was abandoned by his mother when he was one month old. At age 9, Miranda began a quest to locate his mother. He hitched rides on truck beds over the course of hundreds of miles and was able to find his uncle working at a construction site. His uncle informed him that if he was really the little boy his sister gave away, then he should have a birthmark on his leg whereas Miranda unveiled the 2-inch long circular proof. The man led him to his mother's new home, only to be abandoned again by his mother. By the time he was 12, he was working in the plantain fields. The next year, he had a full-time construction job. By the time he was 14, he was working as a cattle butcher. At age 15, Miranda took up boxing, training for a half-year before starting his amateur career. Miranda won 128 out of 132 fights, winning four Colombian national titles. Miranda won a bronze medal in the 2000 Olympic Trials in Argentina. He became a MW title contender.

Pacquiao rises up from poverty to win titles in 8 weight classes (passing over two of them along the way which he likely could have won). Oldest fighter to ever win a WW title.

[mromano]

Mike Tyson's story is probably one of the most documented in all of sports. The rise, the fall, and the rise again. He was loved, despised and now loved again after changing his life. I also think Rubin Carter's story is tragic and very sad.

[hugh grant]

Pacquiao rises up from poverty to win titles in 8 weight classes (passing over two of them along the way which he likely could have won). Oldest fighter to ever win a WW title.

yeh I never knew why he didn't fight in those 2 divisions seems silly so he could be 10 division champ? Mind boggling.

[Mike_b]

yeah he was a uganda child soldier but after he lost all his money he became a male prostitute in Los angeles for wealthy harvey weinstein types

Some sad story man. That's not living the dream no more.

[sallyField]

Some sad story man. That's not living the dream no more.

Yeah but he wasnt the one getting analized. the wealthy hollywood execs are more into worshiping african genitals. Ask me about Tom hanks