Boxing has always attracted some interesting characters to compete over the years and it doesn't help the image of the sport that most of them have some shady backgrounds and come off like brutish thugs. While this is the case, we also have to keep in mind that most normal people wouldn't get into a ring and fight someone for money with tons of people watching if they had other options that were open to them.
There are also fighters that are able to resist these temptations somehow and are able to keep their focus on their goals and push past all of the traps of fame. With that in mind, it might just be time to go over 8 boxing stars that went out of control and 8 that were able to stay squeaky clean.
1 Out Of Control - Roberto Duran
When Roberto Duran first came on the scene, he was seen as a savage brawler and he really played up that idea. This was best seen in the lead up to his match with Sugar Ray Leonard, where he talked trash relentlessly to Leonard and even Leonard's wife. After the victory, Duran went on a party spree that made him out of shape for the rematch and he ultimately quit that fight.
Squeaky Clean - Sugar Ray Leonard
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Via: Wikipedia[/caption]On the other side of the spectrum, Sugar Ray Leonard was known as America's sweetheart when he was in the prime of his boxing career. Leonard was on cereal boxes, in adds for coca-cola and was an Olympic hero. The only real controversy was that he had a child with his girlfriend out of wedlock, which was a big deal at the time.Out Of Control - Oscar De La Hoya
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Via: Biography.com[/caption]Oscar was the hero for many Mexican-Americans who needed someone to look up to. It's too bad after his career he has dived into shady dealings like his shot at MMA, exploiting a retired legend in Chuck Liddel and all of the cocaine rumours. Let's not forget that infamous photo as well.Squeaky Clean - Sugar Ray Robinson
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Via: NY Daily News[/caption]Bringing up someone who might just be older than old school, Sugar Ray Robinson was one of America's original boxing stars. He was an absolute monster, just as much he was an absolute sweetheart in the eyes of his fans. Robinson appeared in movies and commercials and in every address he gave, he seemed humble and kind.Out Of Control - Sonny Liston
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Via: Sports Illustrated[/caption]Sonny Liston isn't too well known and that's because most of his life is actually a mystery, including his actual age. Sonny Liston is most well known for being the man that Muhammad Ali beat to become Heavyweight champion. Sonny was deeply involved with the mob and it is rumoured that he was killed by them.Squeaky Clean - Lennox Lewis
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Via: The Telegraph[/caption]Lennox Lewis is one of the most accomplished men in boxing, both inside and outside of the ring. Lewis is an Olympic gold medalist and former two time heavyweight champion of the world. Outside the ring, Lewis has received an honorary doctorate degree and been a part of Do Something, a domestic violence charity.Out Of Control - Mike Tyson
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Via: Biography.com[/caption]When Mike Tyson was at the peak of his fame and in-ring ability he was an absolute monster both inside and outside of the ring. Mike admits that he wasn't mentally prepared for the success he would face. Mike would spend a lot of money on extravagant things, like literal tigers, and even received jail time for a bit.Squeaky Clean - Vasyl Lomachenko
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Via: Sporting News[/caption]It seems that Vasyl Lomachenko's father, who is also his coach, had the idea that if his son had no amount of free time with extracurriculars, he wouldn't get into trouble. Well, he might have been right, as Vasyl seems to spend all of his time avoiding controversy by literally training every day. Out Of Control - Tyson Fury
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Via: The Sun[/caption]Tyson Fury's recent career resurgence is an amazing feat and everyone is happy that he was able to dig himself out of the deep depression that he was in. Before this, however, Fury was really out of control partying every night and consuming insane amounts of alcohol. It was so bad that Fury attempted to take his own life at one point and came close before stopping. Squeaky Clean - Gennady Golovkin
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Via: Bad Left Hook[/caption]Gennady Golovkin has become even more of a fan favorite ever since his mega-matches with Canelo Alvarez. While Canelo has become seen as a bit of a corporate sell-out in the eyes of many due to the insane judging of the first match, GGG came out of the match looking squeaky clean with fans falling in love with his goofy and humble personality. Out Of Control - Andy Ruiz
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Via: Cali Sports News[/caption]Andy Ruiz was a bit of a nobody in the public eye before he had the upset of the year, defeating Heavyweight king Anthony Joshua by TKO. After this Ruiz became a mega star, getting on the talk show circuit and enjoying all the money that he was getting. He even bought a Rolls Royce. Some say that he did not take the rematch with Joshua seriously due to this success.Squeaky Clean - George Foreman
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Via: The Kitchen Sisters[/caption]George Foreman was one of the scariest men in the world after winning gold in the 1968 Olympics. His terrifying stature and power was enough to freak anyone out, after his loss to Muhammad Ali, he seemed to have been humbled and he decided to become a preacher and grill salesman before becoming the oldest man in history to earn the heavyweight title. Out Of Control - Manny Pacquiao
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Via: The Sun][/caption]While Manny Pacquiao is a national hero in his native country of The Philippines, that doesn't mean he hasn't let the fame get to his head once or twice. After getting some big bucks for his matches he opened up his own bars and casinos to indulge his alcohol dependency.There have also been many claims that Manny has been unfaithful to his wife. Squeaky Clean - Deontay Wilder
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Via: The Independent[/caption]Despite his recent TKO loss to Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder is still considered to be one of the best boxing heavyweights of all time. Behind the scenes, Deontay is the father of eight children and is currently engaged. Deontay also admits that he becomes scared of the person he is in the ring, who he calls "The Bronze Bomber."Out Of Control - Floyd Mayweather
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Via: Fox Sports[/caption]Floyd Mayweather is the biggest earner and the biggest spender in boxing history. Mayweather loves his lavish lifestyle and is happy that boxing is able to provide it to him. Mayweather spends massive amounts of money on cars, mansions and boats, to the point where fans speculate that he is going to need to come out of retirement in order to pay off his taxes. Squeaky Clean - Anthony Joshua
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Via: Skysports[/caption]He's handsome, built like a superhero, a heavyweight champion, he's exciting to watch and he's even a good speaker. While Joshua had a troubled childhood and people speculate he may have slacked in his training leading up to his first match with Ruiz, Joshua is still one of the best ambassadors for the sport of boxing today.
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