Learning on the job

Hi guys,
Can anyone think of an example where a boxer turns professional, and his skill set cause him to lose a few fights but noticably becomes more refined and ultimately, successful as he gains more experience.
An obvious example would be Bernard Hopkins, but i'm thinking of guys who probably wouldn't have taken too many loses if they had more amateur experience behind them, but instead opted to turn professional and 'learn on the job' so to speak.

Don't think Hoppo is a good example...He lost his first fight to a stiff and then got beat down the line by the greatest fighter of his era... Skill set was always consistent...Any middle bar maybe Greb loses to Jr..

Hoppo would have beaten any other middle champ around at the time...

Your Johnny Nelson from the Thompson fight was much different from the clinching stinker of previous efforts....Seemed to realise he had balls and used them....

Pendleton became more refined through time...

Johnny nelson is the obvious example i can think of

Orlando Salido would be a good one. After 12 fights, he was 6-5-1. As his career went on he went on the win world titles and become one of the most dangerous fighters in his division

What about the most under appreciated heavyweight of the last 35 years, Mike Weaver?

Just boxreced Salido. Exactly the kind of person I was thinking of when looking at his record.
I know there has been a lot of boxers who turn pro early but are pretty much well protected during their early career, but Salido looks like he learnt valuable lessons from his early career. Certainly after his first 10 or so fights you wouldn't have imagined him headlining in MSG or Vegas.

Bit of a controversial one, but what about Wlad?

I know he was a good amateur and Olympic champ, but the pro game wasn't that great for him until Steward got hold of him. He gassed against Purritty, was poleaxed by Sanders and KO'd by Brewster. Sam Peter gave him hell in their first fight. Since then he has adjusted his style and although his "hug-a-heavy" style isn't pretty to watch, it is VERY effective. No one's been close to beating him for years.

Another controversial one, but Pacquaio? Turned pro shortly after 16 and suffered two KO defeats inside his first 5 years. Has obviously improved significantly throughout his career.

Steve... Bloke Naz beat for the WBO belt, sorry can't remember his surname.

horizontalhero wrote:Steve... Bloke Naz beat for  the WBO belt, sorry can't remember his surname.

Steve Robinson

Take your pick from a number of Mexicans

Dwight Muhammad Qawi is always one who springs to mind, for me. Learned his boxing in jail and launched himself straight in to the professionals when he was released. Went 1-1-1 in his first three paid fights, but over time became one of the most skilled and entertaining Light-Heavies of a great era at 175.

I can remember Pauile M talking about when his gym mate Regillo Tuur was matched against Salido in a tune up. Tuur was 44-3-1 at the time while Siri was 13-7-2. Paulie said Siri basically roughhoused and beat Tuur up and won a surprising SD. Tuur (former WBO champ) retired two fights later.

Henry Armstrong qualifies. He lost 3 of his first 4 fights after only having 3 fights as an amateur.

From what I've read about his career, I'd say he learned from his early struggles and became a fairly successful fighter.

Atila wrote:Henry Armstrong qualifies. He lost 3 of his first 4 fights after only having 3 fights as an amateur.

From what I've read about his career, I'd say he learned from his early struggles and became a fairly successful fighter.

Fairly successful, your gift for understatement is still intact Atila!

Baby Jake Matlala's record read 3-4 at one stage. Went on to become a two time major world champion, and the shortest world champion of all time.

Wladimar Klitschko , didn't he lose some easy fights at the early stage of his career like Corrie Sanders, commentators even touted at that time he will make it to the championship let alone top league and today he is a record holder for one of the longest reigns.

Rowley wrote:

Atila wrote:Henry Armstrong qualifies. He lost 3 of his first 4 fights after only having 3 fights as an amateur.

From what I've read about his career, I'd say he learned from his early struggles and became a fairly successful fighter.

Fairly successful, your gift for understatement is still intact Atila!

Just being facetious.  

Another one is Dick Tiger. He lost his first four fights and after nine fights his record was 4-5.