Ted Sares is one of the world’s oldest active power lifters and holds several records in the Grand Master class. A member of Ring 4’s Boxing Hall of Fame, he enjoys writing about boxing.
No Country for Old Men: Part Three
Boxing's Independent Media
Boxing's Independent Media
Teddy, These types of comebacks have sadly become “the norm” these days. George Foreman’s well documented ‘success story’ did some fighters plenty good and some not any good at all. Many of them that will ultimately feel & suffer the unhealthy results of these daring comebacks, whether they pocket some very needed finances or not. At their ages their heads and bodies shouldn’t/aren’t supposed to take anymore punishment. For some, whatever is left of their senses & health in general is barely dangling on very thin string. No, Foreman wasn’t the first 45+ fighter to return, it’s a practice that’s centuries old, but nothing like this day and age, or I don’t believe so. Without a doubt Foreman was a major influence to these ‘ring returns’, and the beat goes on.
throughout the years I’ve seen many fighters attempt comebacks. Some have given up after losing their disastrous initial return, while others have won a few ‘gimmie’ fights and then failed miserably and give up after losing to some fairly decent prospect. One I know gave up in a couple of weeks after sparring a couple of rounds with an energetic so-so talented novice. He said, “I wanted to get back so fking bad, I love the smell of the gym and dressing rooms. But.. my body wants no part of it anymore, there’s nothing I can do.”
Oh well… To each his own. They all have a right to try but that doesn’t mean they actually should.
I plan to write something based on your post.
WOW BLAST, that’s come as quite a compliment!!