8 boxers who made comebacks after retiring

Finding the right time to retire is something many athletes struggle with. Whether it's chasing fame, a final shot, or just the love of the sport, retirement is often an uncomfortable one for boxers.

But history has shown that for some top champions, retirement is only temporary, before they return and make history again.

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8 Larry Holmes dominated the heavyweight division for nearly a decade.

Holmes tried to come back multiple times.

Larry Holmes had a dominant run as heavyweight champion. In addition to his impressive win over Muhammad Ali, Holmes (69-6, 44 KOs) defended his heavyweight title against challenger Gerry Cooney in one of the most lucrative and publicized fights the division has seen in years. However, Holmes lost the heavyweight crown in a major upset to unbeaten light heavyweight champion Michael Spinks.

Holmes exercised his rematch clause and lost a highly controversial split decision to Spinks. A bitter Holmes retired after the bout. He returned a few years later and defeated WBO heavyweight champion Ray Mercer, but his ambition to regain ultimate glory was thwarted, losing title shots to Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Oliver McCall.

7 Eder Jofre is a bantamweight legend

Jofre will likely come out of retirement and return to the featherweight division.

Hall of Famer Eder Jofre reigned as bantamweight champion for five years before losing the title to fellow Hall of Famer Fighting Harada. Jofre lost a split decision in a bout that many thought he would win. Harada won the rematch a year later by unanimous decision. Jofre, acknowledging his loss to Harada, retired after the bout.

However, Jofre (72-2-4, 50 KOs) returned to compete at featherweight three years later. After a 13-fight winning streak, Jofre challenged WBC featherweight champion Jose Regla. Jofre won the title by majority decision. He then won his final big fight, defending his featherweight title by knocking out Hall of Famer Vicente Saldivar in four rounds.

6 Only injury can slow Vitali Klitschko's momentum

Klitschko retires after two serious injuries

The hard-hitting puncher Vitali Klitschko always seemed destined for greatness. Klitschko (45-2, 41 KOs) was considered the next great heavyweight after winning the WBO heavyweight title. But in the two biggest fights of his career to that point, his body betrayed him. Klitschko tore his rotator cuff during a bout with Chris Byrd and suffered a nasty cut around his left eye during his matchup with lineal champion Lennox Lewis.

Klitschko bounced back from these setbacks to win the rightful heavyweight title after Lewis retired. While training for his second title defense against Hasim Rahman, Klitschko tore his anterior cruciate ligament. Klitschko announced his retirement before surgery. Three years later, Klitschko came out of retirement to defeat Samuel Peter to regain the WBC heavyweight title. He successfully defended it nine times before retiring again.

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Five Erik Morales has become a legend

Morales won't retire to pursue history

Erik Morales' exciting style has made him one of the most popular stars in boxing. Although Morales had the boxing chops, he preferred to trade power shots with his opponents. The Hall of Famer (52-9, 36 KOs) has fought the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera and Daniel Zaragoza. After winning world titles at super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight, Morales attempted to win a world title at lightweight. Morales challenged David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title and lost in a highly controversial unanimous decision.

Morales was very frustrated after the fight and announced his retirement. Morales came out of retirement three years later to fight at welterweight. After a few wins, Morales challenged Marcos Maidana for the WBA light welterweight championship and lost by majority decision in a bout that was a Fight of the Year candidate. Morales defeated Pablo Cesar Cano to win the WBC light welterweight championship, achieving his goal and dream of winning world titles in four different weight classes. Morales retired again after a loss to Danny Garcia.

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Four Sugar Ray Leonard announces shocking return

Leonard wanted to fight Marvin Hagler

Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs) began suffering from eye problems after his fight with Thomas Hearns for the unified welterweight championship. Badly hurt, Leonard used his adrenaline to keep him going and stopped Hearns with a ferocious combination in the 14th round. Leonard considered retiring after a few fights after that, but ultimately did. However, Leonard came out of retirement two years later to face feared puncher Marvel Studios' Marvin Hagler for the middleweight championship. Leonard won a much-debated split decision.

Satisfied, Leonard retired again, but moved up a year later to fight Donny Lalonde for the WBC super middleweight and light heavyweight titles. Leonard won by a ninth-round knockout. After settling Hearns and Roberto Duran, Leonard dropped down to light middleweight to challenge Terry Norris. Leonard was soundly defeated and announced his retirement. A few years later, Leonard attempted one final comeback, but was knocked out by Hector Camacho.

3 Floyd Mayweather's return sets box office records

Mayweather embraced the rich man persona

One of the greatest boxers of all time, Floyd Mayweather was a lineal champion in four weight classes. After defeating Oscar De La Hoya to win the WBC light middleweight title in one of boxing's most expensive events, Mayweather considered retirement, but decided to fight one last time against current light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton. After knocking out Hatton, Mayweather (50-0, 27 KOs) announced his retirement and plans to start a promotional company. The retirement lasted almost two years, but Mayweather returned to face lightweight champion Juan Manuel Márquez.

After beating Marquez, Mayweather broke pay-per-view records and became one of the highest paid athletes in the world. Mayweather seemed content that his decision win over Andre Berto was his final fight. However, Mayweather would return to fight his final bout against mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor at a major event. Mayweather defeated McGregor by 10th round TKO.

2 Sugar Ray Robinson Chapter Two

Robinson was dogged by show business failure

Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Robinson (174-19-6, 109 KOs) considered retirement many times throughout his career, but Robinson admitted it took a toll on him mentally, especially during his time in the military and after the death of Jimmy Doyle after a fight. Robinson officially retired after suffering heat stroke en route to a stoppage loss to light heavyweight champion Joey Maxim.

Robinson was intent on pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. However, Robinson returned to boxing three years later and defeated Bobo Olson to win the middleweight championship. Robinson famously faced Hall of Famer Carmen Basilio and two-time Fight of the Year winner. Soon after, Robinson began to decline, eventually retiring after losing a unanimous decision to Joey Archer.

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1 George Foreman shocked the world

Foreman will be champion after 10 years of retirement

One of the greatest punchers in boxing history, George Foreman (76-5, 68 KOs) was a two-time heavyweight champion. Foreman considered retirement after losing the heavyweight title to Muhammad Ali at the Rumble in the Jungle. In pursuit of a rematch with Ali, Foreman knocked out Ron Lyle in the Fight of the Year. After losing a unanimous decision to Jimmy Young, Foreman chose to retire to become a pastor.

Ten years later, Foreman returned to boxing, knocking out Hall of Famer Dwight Muhammad Qawi and giving Evander Holyfield a tough fight. Foreman's comeback culminated with a knockout of unified heavyweight champion Michael Moore. At age 45, Foreman became the oldest heavyweight champion in history. Foreman successfully defended his heavyweight title several times before retiring after a controversial loss to Shannon Briggs.