2007-03-01 02:08:34 · 7 answers · asked by Bruno C 1 in Sports ➔ Boxing
Its gotta be James "Bonecrusher" Smith. He had his first fight at the ripe old age of 28 and won the WBA heavyweight title in December 1986 at the age of 33 by beating Tim Witherspoon. He would lose his title in March 1987 to a rising young star by the name of Mike Tyson
2007-03-01 04:13:59 · answer #1 · answered by felonyshobby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a difficult one because it depends on your definition of heavyweight title. Commonly, that would refer to the WBC, WBA or IBF champions as they have the longest history in the sport.
However, technically, if you include the other minor belts then I suggest the answer is Matt Skelton. He began boxing in September 2002, just four months short of his 35th birthday. 35 is the oldest anyone can turn professional.
In 2005, aged 38, he beat Fabio Moli to win the vacant WBU heavyweight title.
I don't imagine any other champion started fighting later than 34 and won a belt. So techinically, though perhaps not morally, the answer theto your question is MATT SKELTON.
2007-03-02 03:27:24 · answer #2 · answered by dwpboxing 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't actually know if anyone has achieved that...
Ken Norton was actually 24 when he had his first pro fight. Rocky Marciano was 23. Tarver turned pro at the age of 28, so if he moved up and won a portion of the Heavyweight title, I'm guessing he would be the first.
2007-03-01 11:36:10 · answer #3 · answered by Oneirokritis 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Rocky Marciano
2007-03-04 21:36:12 · answer #4 · answered by Bru 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rocky Marciano started fighting in 1949 at the age of 26 and won the title in 1952.
2007-03-01 11:36:38 · answer #5 · answered by toughguy2 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
ok this is a tough one, but i'm gonna go with ken norton and he later became the heavyweight champion and to add the accomplishment he beat ali in a decision. he came along the time when the division was tough and through hard work fought and beat some great fighters in his day. i think he started boxing in prison and later turned pro once he was released.
2007-03-01 10:28:41 · answer #6 · answered by decannadys01 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hagler
2007-03-01 11:08:29 · answer #7 · answered by jim 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋