Advertisement

Boxing was presumed on its deathbed when Muhammad Ali retired, only for Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler and dozens of others to emerge. After them, it was Oscar De La Hoya who saved the sport from its so-called impending death. Ward, the light heavyweight gold medalist at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, is an example of what boxing can be at its best.