The Art Of The Comeback - Part One
Matt Hancock seems convinced that eating kangaroo anus will return him to high estate. As we watch him writhe, here are seven truly inspiring comeback stories.
Muhammad Ali
Boxing's rich in remarkable comeback stories. Vinny Pazienza (aka The Pazmanian Devil) wouldn't even let a little thing like a broken neck deter him from reentering to the ring and regaining his title. If the erstwhile Cassius Clay's return stands out from the crowd, it's because that's what the man did most every day of his life. Stripped of his world heavyweight title in 1967 after refusing to fight in Vietnam, Ali was away from the ring for 30 months. That he was a little rusty when he stepped back into the squared circle in 1970 was hardly surprising. Nor was it that great a shock when he was easily out-pointed by Joe Frazier in a 1971 contest for Ali's old belt. By the time he had his jaw broken in a defeat at Ken Norton's hands in 1973, people wondered whether the towel ought to be thrown in on Muhammad's career. Then came a return fight with Smokin' Joe and the hard-earned win that set up a crack at reigning champ George Foreman. Come that celebrated night in Uganda, 'The Greatest' proved that nickname was so much more than mere hyperbole. Seven years on from denying the draft, Muhammad Ali was on top of the world again.
Jonny Wilkinson
For a long while, it seemed as if the 2003 Rugby World Cup final would mark the last time Jonny Wilkinson's played for his country. Injuring his shoulder in a club game mere weeks after that drop goal, Wilko spent THREE ENTIRE YEARS away from the international scene. For no sooner had his shoulder cleared up than the fly-half damaged his knee ligaments, after which a bout of appendicitis, a hernia operation and further damage to his already wrecked neck ensured it wasn't until February 2007 that Jonathan Peter Wilkinson would again sport the red rose. A dream return against Scotland at Twickenham was followed by a record defeat in Dublin and a disastrous tour of South Africa. When it came time for England to defend their world title, Wilkinson was again on the sidelines, the position from which he'd watch the Springboks rack up 35 unanswered points against the holders. At which point the man from Frimley returned to the fold and England’s fortunes changed utterly. Hard-fought wins over Samoa and Tonga preceded an improbable victory over Australia.
A week later, the perfect 10 orchestrated a semi-final defeat of hosts France. Somehow England were back in the Rugby World Cup final. And against all the odds, so was Jonny Wilkinson.
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