10 Boxers Who Started Late

There is a belief that to become great at boxing, one must start training at a young age. Years of physical conditioning and resilience provide a stable foundation.

Yet, a prosperous boxing career is still possible for those late bloomers. There are a few successful boxers who started late. Have you ever thought to place your bets on the underdogs with less experience? Those with fewer years of conditioning just might prove everyone wrong.

The Stigma of Starting Late

There isn’t a specific age at which to start boxing professionally, and there is no proof that boxers need extensive training to reach their full potential. Yes, starting young allows for the gradual development of technique and athleticism, but as history has shown, late-starters can achieve success with proper training and dedication.

Here’s a few pointers from the pros:

Focus on defence: Improve your slipping, blocking, and parrying techniques. Enhance your head movement to make it harder for opponents to land punches.

Change your lifestyle: Embrace a lifestyle that supports your training and goals. Consistency in diet, rest, and daily routines is crucial to sustained progress.

Improve balance and stance: Lower your weight and spread your stance for better balance and increased range. This helps in both offence and defence.

Practice varied combinations: Keep your punch combinations varied. Use focus mitts to hone technique and cultivate power in your punches.

Enhance endurance: Work on your cardiovascular fitness to increase your fighting endurance. This includes improving your body’s oxygen absorption rate.

 

Champions Who Blossomed Late

There have been numerous boxing legends whose stories are as compelling as their achievements in the ring.

Each of these fighters exemplifies resilience, determination, and success. So, the next time you pull out your mobile remember those with stories that resemble the following.

1. Bernard Hopkins

Bernard Hopkins’s boxing career is one of resilience, determination, and success. He started his professional career at the age of 23.

He became the world IBF Middleweight champion in 1996 and held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the undisputed Middleweight title between 2001 and 2005 and the lineal light heavyweight title from 2011 to 2012.

As a teen, Hopkins was involved in crime, which led him astray. He was sent to jail at the early age of 17 for 18 years but was released after 6. He promised himself that he would never return to prison and wanted to make a positive change to his life, which came through boxing. Hopkins’s past troubles assisted his future successes, where he gained key attributes, including mental toughness, discipline and work ethic.

2. Charlie Zelenoff

Charlie Zelenoff’s unorthodox career began professionally at the age of 23. Zelenoff made a career of himself via social media, utilizing YouTube for self-promotion. His constant challenges to fight professional and amateur boxers gained him popularity online. Most famously, Zelenoff challenged Deontay Wilder, a former WBC heavyweight champion. 

This confrontation occurred after Zelenoff made derogatory remarks about Wilder. Wilder responded by meeting Zelenoff in a gym and physically confronting him, with footage of the altercation circulating widely online.

Zelenoff did not win any official boxing titles but did gain success through his online persona, through which he could earn a financial income via YouTube ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise.

 

3. Joe Calzaghe

Joe Calzaghe’s successful career ran from 1993 to 2008. It was no surprise when he turned professional at 21, becoming the longest-serving middleweight world champion in boxing history. Did you know he could hold the WBO title for over 10 years?

Calzaghe was trained by his father using unorthodox methods. His strong work ethic and discipline helped him remain in tip-top physical condition, which, to nobody’s surprise, played a huge part in his impressive performances. 

Calzaghe’s career inspired many people, demonstrating that a late start can be overcome with talent, hard work, and determination.

4. Dariusz Michalczewski

Polish-born Michalczewski, also known as Tiger, was regarded as one of the best boxers to come out of Europe. His amateur career of 139-11-2 laid the groundwork for his professional success. Michalczewski’s professional debut was at the age of 23, and he quickly made a name for himself by showcasing his power and technical ability.

Moving to Germany played an important role in his career, as he could train in better facilities, access better coaches, and box on the bigger stages. Michalczewski defended this title 23 times, demonstrating his dominance in the division.

The support from his fan base, especially in Poland and Germany, and the sense of national pride fueled his motivation and drive to succeed. Michalczewski demonstrated his resilience, skill, and strategic decisions, proving that even a late start can lead to an illustrious career in professional boxing.

5. George Foreman

As a troubled youth, Foreman left his hometown in Texas at the age of 16 to join the Job Corps program in Oregon, which was designed for disadvantaged youth. During his time there, he discovered boxing and eventually became a two-time world heavyweight champion.

As an amateur, Foreman was selected to represent the USA on the Olympic team, where he won a gold medal in the heavyweight division. He returned home as a professional at the age of 20. It took him 4 years to become champion, defeating Joe Frazier.

Foreman took a break from boxing, then made a comeback and won the heavyweight title at the age of 45, which made him the oldest heavyweight champion in history. This part of his career showed his adaptability and mental resilience, as his physical capabilities would have changed over the years. His hard work, strategic reinvention and mental resilience inspire everyone in the boxing world.

6. Trevor Berbick

Berbick developed his mental, physical, and tactical skills through his amateur career before turning professional at 22. Five years after beating boxing legend Muhammad Ali on points, he became the world heavyweight champion in 1986.

His southpaw stance, physical presence, punching power, and constant pressure on his opponent in the ring made him a feared fighter. Berbick’s mental resilience, perseverance, and determination were key attributes to his highly successful career.

7. Ricardo Mayorga

Mayorga stepped into the ring for his first professional fight at 20 and won against Jose Morales. Right from the start, you could see his mental toughness and determination, even though he lost 3 of his first 11 fights. Mayorga was something else; he mixed his mental grit with raw technical skills, creating an unorthodox and aggressive style. His flamboyant personality made him a standout in boxing, and he always caught your eye in the ring.

He would often take risks in his approach against his opponent in the ring and occasionally catch his rival off guard. His journey skyrocketed with the surprising win over Vernon Forrest in 2023, where he won the WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweights titles in a single fight.

8. Michael Moorer

Former light heavyweight champion Michael Moorer had a mixture of skills; his mental resilience and technical skills, such as his power, were key contributors to his success. He was mainly remembered for his impressive professional record of 52 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, as well as his high-profile win over Evander Holyfield and his knockout loss against George Foreman.

Moorer turned professional at 20 and made his way up the ranks, where he would become world champion in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. His southpaw stance gave him an advantage, especially when fighting against right-handed fighters. 

 

9. Sven Ottke

Sven Ottke enjoyed a successful career as an amateur and a professional boxer. As an amateur, Ottke had 308 fights, which he won 256 times; Ottke turned professional at the age of 29, winning all 34 bouts and becoming the super middleweight world champion.

This places him among a select group of boxers who retired without a loss. Ottke was known for his technical abilities, as only six of his wins were by way of knockout. His ability to outbox opponents and avoid taking significant damage contributed to his long and successful career. His reputation was built on his defensive prowess, footwork, and ability to outmaneuver opponents.

10. Jack Dempsey

Dempsey was a real powerhouse in the ring, with a ferocity and aggressive style that most opponents just couldn’t handle. His tough upbringing, fighting in saloons and mining towns, shaped his relentless and resilient fighting style. These gritty experiences forged a fighter who was nearly unstoppable as he advanced in his professional career.

 

At 19, Dempsey made his professional debut, fighting Young Herman. Eventually, he became the world heavyweight champion in 1919, holding the title for seven years. His legacy remains as one of the most inspiring, influential, and memorable champions in the sport of boxing.

Conclusion

These late bloomers in boxing prove that a late start doesn’t hinder success. Despite facing challenges like rough upbringings and poverty, they reached the sport’s pinnacle. Your commitment, not your starting age, defines your story. Hard work, determination, and perseverance lead to success.