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THE BIG TIME BOXERS WHO TURNED TO WRESTLING

Boxing, Wrestling, MMA. It seems there is a correlation between the three in which some fighters just cannot help crossing codes to try their hand at something new.

Other stars from the world of sport have dipped their toe too in the fight game with some making a very serious fist of it (pun intended), but the technicalities between the three biggest fight codes seem to appeal to those athletes already involved.

Possibly a publicity stunt or a genuine tester to see if a career change may on the cards, it is clear that the link between boxing and wrestling, in particular, has for a long time had a close connection as we look at some of the biggest boxing stars who stepped into the ring but this time with their gloves off ready for a grapple.

Tyson Fury

The self-proclaimed Gypsy King has become the rightful darling of Boxing after his almighty come back from personal issues to make it to the very top of the fight game.

That included taking on Deontay Wilder in the States and despite a brutal knockdown, managed to get back up and if anything, win the fight despite the scorecards declaring it a draw in seemingly controversial circumstances.

Fury has kept himself busy between fights appearing in the wrestling ring beating Braun Strowman in a WWE Jewel in the Crown Match just last month.

That foray has peaked belief he may well enter the boxing ring once again and he can be backed at 7/2 with Betway as of the 21st November to take part in the 2020 Royal Rumble.

Not only is Fury an undefeated heavyweight boxer, but he is also an undefeated WWE star too.

But will we see Fury on the circuit full time in the future?

Ricky Hatton

Whilst we are on the British theme, Englishman Ricky the Hitman Hatton also had a brief foray into the world of wrestling.

Having fought the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, it is obvious the Hitman was not afraid of getting in the ring with anyone.

The light-welterweight former world champion had just lost to Pacquiao six months before his ‘celebrity guest appearance’ on RAW when he went toe-to-toe with Chavo Guerrero.

Quite clearly nothing more than a publicity stunt, Hatton had his boxing gloves in the ring and proceeded to rush Guerrero with a serious of lightning-quick punches (which didn’t land but resulted in Guerrero ducking into the ropes).

To cut a long story short, Hatton was rewarded the win via KO and just one boxing match later, Ricky the Hitman Hatton would announce his retirement.

Buster Douglas

In February 1990, American Buster Douglas provided one of boxings biggest shocks when he knocked out Mike Tyson in Japan to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

Despite losing the titles in his next fight against Evander Holyfield, Douglas shot to fame and became the latest star to make the all the latest news in wrestling when he appeared as guest referee for a match between Hulk Hogan and Macho Man (remember those names?).

This was during WWF main event III.

Unsurprisingly, the golden boy at the time Hulk Hogan won the man but Macho Man was no too pleased and after much antagonising, gave Douglas a slap.

Hogan then pushed Macho Man into Douglas who proceeded to knock him to the ground in some of the finest performances you will ever see in the ring!

Mike Tyson

We mentioned him above, and now he is here. Mike Tyson has been inducted into WWE hall of fame and has featured a couple of times inside the ring.

Stone Cold Steve Austin was the hero of wrestling at the time and Tyson’s ear-biting exploits of Evander Holyfield were still fresh in the memory, the two-faced off in the ring despite not set up as a match.

The confrontation worked well for Tyson as he was then guest enforcer for Austin’s WrestleMania XIV bout against Shawn Michaels.

Tyson made a quick three-count for Austin in the match up but there was more to come from Tyson’s wrestling foray.

He returned to RAW in 2010 with Chris Jericho as he took on Shawn Michaels and Triple H but produced a DX T-shirt.

There have been no shortages of ups and downs in Tyson’s career, but he is a big advocate of wrestling and may end up making the latest news in wrestling sections once again by maybe making another appearance could one day be on the cards?

Here’s hoping it happens.

 

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