The Best Heavyweight Comebacks

By Enrique Gonzalez Riojas

Some fighters had to leave boxing due for various reasons, but a few had the resolve to make their return to the ring and win belts in the heavyweight division. Let’s check some of them

Vitailiy Klitschko

At the end of 2004, Vitali Klitschko decided to step aside from boxing due to a series of injuries. The WBC gave him the opportunity to challenge the world champion in case he came back, which happened in 2008, he faced Samuel Peter and defeated him, as Peter was unable to fight in the 9th round.

Tyson Fury

After conquering the belts from Wladimir Klitschko, Tyson Fury entered a period of recess, in which, according to him, he was no longer interested in boxing. In 2018, he decided to turn around his life and return to the ring. In 2020, he challenged Deontay Wilder for the WBC title and after drawing in their first match he got the victory on their second fight.

Mike Tyson

He didn’t box from 1991 and 1995. When he made his comeback, he faced Peter McNeeley, whom he knocked down twice. Finally, he faced WBC heavyweight champion Frank Bruno, whom he defeated via TKO in the third round.

Muhammad Ali

He lost his license to box after refusing to enlist in the Army to fight the Vietnam War. In 1970, Ali recovered it and managed to define an era with his great style, his enormous qualities in the ring and his charisma inside and outside the 4 ropes. He managed to be undisputed heavyweight champion twice and be known as the best of all time.

George Foreman

He was out of boxing for 10 years, during which he devoted himself to religion. He made history by becoming the oldest heavyweight champion of the world defeating Michael Moorer by one punch KO in one of the greatest comebacks in boxing history.

George Foreman

Estuvo fuera del boxeo por 10 años, en los cuales se dedicó a estar inmerso de la religión, olvidando por completo su pasión en el deporte. En su regreso se retiró con 3 derrotas más en su récord, fue campeón de peso completo, logró ostentar el título lineal de la división y dejar su legado en el boxeo, luego de haber hecho uno de los regresos menos esperados en toda la historia.