Fighters and Heartbreakers
by Bad Left Hook on Jul 24, 2010 4:04 PM EDT
in Boxing Commentary & Opinion
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Ted Sares is back this afternoon with a look at the way your favorite fighters can often break your heart if you let them.
* * * * * * * *
Never fall in love with a fighter. If you do, he'll likely break your heart. And try as I may, this is something to which I have never become inured.
When Paul Briggs recently was "waxed" by one of Danny Green's pawing air shots, many of Paul's fans were crushed--not so much that he lost, but by the way he lost. Heck, I even took his photo off my website. But having one of your favorite boxer's break your heart is nothing new. It's been happening to me since at least 1951.
Joe Louis (1951)
Joe Louis did it in 1951 when he fought Rocky Marciano for purse money with which to pay back his taxes to an unforgiving government. When he was brutally knocked through the ropes in the eighth round, millions wept openly. As a 14-year old, I was one of them.
Earlier, "The Brown Bomber" had done the same thing to Billy Conn in their second fight in 1946 and earned Billy the Associated Press's annual "Flop of the Year" award. Millions of Irish hearts were broken after that one.
Bob Satterfield (the 1950's)
"Rapid Robert" was a heartbreaker extraordinaire largely because he was a chill-or-be-chilled type and could get iced at any time in a fight. For example, in 1951, Rex Layne was decked for an eight count in the 1st stanza from a Satterfield right, but then Rex came back to deck Satterfield with a single but hard left hook in the 8th. After Satterfield got up on rubbery legs, referee Mark Conn stopped the bout-and I wept. Hell, Satterfield was beating the hell out of him for the entire fight. Of course; he had done the same to many other fighters (like Lee Oma, Cleveland Williams, and Chuck Hunter) who forgot that Bob could ice them at any time in a fight.
Jerry Quarry (1977)
Irish Jerry was one of my favorites, but when he beat Lorenzo Zanaon in 1977, it was extremely difficult to watch. His reflexes were gone and he was a shell of his former self. Still, he won. But when he fought Ron Cranmer in 1992, it was just plain criminal. It was as heart breaking as anything one could imagine. He deserved better.
Muhammad Ali (1980)
When Muhammad Ali lost to Larry Holmes in 1980, he lost with neither dignity nor grace. And once again, I wept along with millions. My heart had been broken, for I had fallen in love with Ali by then. But like so many before him, he could not resist the call; he could not stay away. And he paid a high price.
Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini (1992)
In 1992, the ultra-popular Ray Mancini made an ill-advised comeback by taking on rugged Greg Haugen. Ray heard the call and foolishly answered it. Haugen fulfilled the role of ring villain perfectly as he took out "Boom Boom" with head snapping shots in the seventh round. Perhaps it was a kind of redemption for what Ray had done to Bobby Chacon in 1984. However, Chacon, unlike Mancini, finished his great career with seven straight wins against stiff opposition. Though Bobby would later experience tragic personal misfortunes, he managed to leave boxing with his head held high.
Terry Norris (1997-98)
Watching this once great light middleweight lose his last three to Laurent Boudouani, Dana Rosenblatt, and Keith Mullings was almost as gut-wrenching as watching him lose two consecutive DQ's to Luis Santana. Of course he perpetrated a beat down on Sugar Ray Leonard which set Sugar up for a heartbreaking finish against The Macho Man.
Leonard and Duran (1997-99)
Speaking of Sugar Ray Leonard, on March 1, 1997, he made a poorly thought-out comeback and disappointed his legions of fans when he was mugged and mauled by Hector "Macho" Camacho in five rounds in Atlantic City. It was a vicious, neck-snapping l end to a great career. Two years later, Roberto Duran joined Sugar Ray in a heartbreaking episode when he was stopped by William Joppy in three rounds of beat down. This was ugly stuff to watch.
Mike Tyson (2004-5)
After Lennox Lewis KOd Mike Tyson in 2002, "Iron Mike" redeemed himself to some extent with a spectacular KO of Clifford "The Black Rhino" Etienne. However, that set him up for a big fall when he was taken out by a sudden and shocking 23-punch volley by Danny Williams in just four cantos. Hulking Kevin McBride put a finisher on this gut-wrenching process when he bullied the bully and forced Mike to quit on his stool in 2005 in Washington D.C. as a stunned and heartbroken house looked on in disbelief.
Arturo "Thunder" Gatti (2007)
Who can forget how the beloved Arturo Gatti was savaged by Alfonso Gomez in 2007. It was a horrific experience for hard-core Gatti fans to watch as his face was busted up by the younger, albeit relentless fighter who smelled blood and went after it without mercy.
Oscar De La Hoya (2008)
Most recently, Oscar De La Hoya was subjected to a beat down by Manny Pacquiao that surely broke the hearts of his many fans and put a dent in his legacy.
There are many other examples that affirm and punctuate the dangers of falling in love with a boxer. Some might say that Nigel Benn's first loss to Steve Collins was a heart breaker, but Nigel's fighting spirit was all but gone after the tragic McClellan fight. If only he had retired right there and then. Chris Eubank also lost to Collins and that was hard to take as well.
Roy Jones, Jr. (2010)
The great Jones had any number of opportunities to get out. He could have retired after beating John Ruiz but no, he decided to fight on despite being weight drained and gaunt. Antonio Tarver proved what a foolish decision that was in their second match. Still, Jones got another solid opportunity by beating Anthony Hanshaw and Tito Trinidad, but he insisted on staying, and in the process, let his legions of fans down as he was humbled and bloodied over twelve rounds by Joe Calzaghe. Incredibly, he had what amounted to a third chance to get out after beating Omar Sheika and Jeff Lacey in 2009. By then, his record was 54-5 and he had the wherewithal to leave on a positive note. But it was not to be. Inexplicitly, he went on to fight Australian Danny Green and Bernard Hopkins and succeeded in breaking hearts from Seoul, South Korea, to Pensacola, Florida.
Ironically, Roy may have done the same thing to Puerto Rican fans when he dominated Tito Trinidad over 12 rounds in Madison Square Garden in 2008.
As for Bernard Hopkins, he appears to be one fight away from either leaving with his great legacy fully intact or in breaking hearts. Let's hope it's the former. James Toney, however, seems determined to stick around and finally get that one final beating that many just might remember him by. It doesn't have to be, but it appears inevitable. Time will tell.
Marciano, Monzon, Lewis, Lopez, Nunn, and Collins
Some broke the mold including Rocky Marciano, Carlos Monzon, Lennox Lewis, Ricardo Lopez, Michael Nunn, and Brian Mitchell. Marvelous Marvin Hagler came oh so close, but Sugar Ray Leonard ruined his going away party. Henry Maske broke German hearts in 1996, but won them back eleven years later with a remarkable redemptive win over Virgil Hill. Dariusz Michalczewski was unable to do the same.
Joe Calzaghe (2008)
Joe joined those who broke the mold when he announced his retirement with a perfect record and a guaranteed legacy as one of the truly great fighters and clearly one of the greatest British boxers ever. His fans have fallen in love with him over the years and rightly so, but will he stay retired or will he too hear that call that says "come on back." Someone like Chad Dawson or Carl Froch is out there waiting? Will the temptation be too great?
Remember, if you fall in love with a fighter, he'll break your heart just about every time and Joe Calzaghe will likely not be an exception. Be on guard.
Visit the author's updated website at www.tedsares.com which focuses entirely on boxing.
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I try to stay unbiased when following fighters and remember that they are human and make mistakes like the rest of us.
I have had my favourites but like you say,you hate to see them lose and especially so when they carry on too long and lose to men they would have annihilated in their prime.
Tyson v Danny Williams/Kevin McBride are two that stick in my mind and were sad to see.
I suppose my favourite fighter was/is Manny and i love to see him fight and also want him to win but he has disappointed me lately a bit for obvious reasons.
I hope he isn’t one who stays around too long.I don’t think he will be.
Godd stuff,Ted.
I’d like to see a list of the worst/best/most obvious/most high profile dives in boxing.
And is there any news on Briggs’ purse? And what about all the money that was laid on Green by KO1 – will that be paid out?
"Yes Gina, I am a Wise Cracker"
Ted, you know what else I'd like to see
and you’ve got the chops to know the material: the times in history when the two best fighters just plain didn’t fight each other. Or, didn’t fight each other when it was a relevant fight.
"Yes Gina, I am a Wise Cracker"
and I’d say Hagler belongs in the “broke the mold” category. He broke the mold the way you’re using it by beating Leonard (on my card), and he broke the mold by refusing to play the b.s. politics and take a rematch with a commercial creation in Ray Leonard.
"Yes Gina, I am a Wise Cracker"
Fair point. I knew that would spark a major shite storm, but I had to go with my own feelings.
Pray for Nick Charles
yea, I’ve heard your perspective. And it’s definitely a fight that could’ve gone either way, by no means a robbery or anything close.
"Yes Gina, I am a Wise Cracker"
I scored it a draw but can see why Leonard’s combination punching and more eye catching stuff got him the decision.
by Matt Mosley on Jul 25, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not going there. I'm not going there. I'm not going there. I'm not going there. I'm not going there.
I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there.
I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there.
I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there.
I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there
I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there.
I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there.
I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there.
I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there. I’m not going there
Pray for Nick Charles
Right. My feelings have been that Hagler had a bad game plan and could not adjust to SRL's attack.
That 30 second ending to each round was brilliant. Hagler gave away the earlt rounds and put himself in a hole. This one was a mental fight and was not fought with fists. SRL simply outsmarted him INO, but it was still very, very close. The thing I could never buy was Hagler’s so-called “disgust” with the decision and using that as an excuse to never fight again. I can undertand it if Ray would not giv ehim a rematch, but hell, at least close out with a win over someone.
Look Dave Tiberi quitting over getting totally screwd in the Toney fight is one thing, but Hagler quiting over losing a fight that could have gone either way is quite another. I never bought that and never will.
Allright, I am now prepared to take the heat.
Pray for Nick Charles
I think that’s a fair analysis.Yes i would have thought Hagler would have wanted to make the rematch if he was so convinced he won and his bitterness does seem a bit over the top but after reading “Four Kings” i think Marvin was just so sick of Ray’s mind games like when he called the press conference lokng before they fought and Hagler thinks he’s getting the fight he’s wanted ffor so long,only for Ray to announce his retirement.
I mean,Ray was a c*** for that.Why have Marvin there except to give him false hope and mess him around.
I am more a Hagler fan than Leonard and i can totally see why Marvin hated the guy but after havong the first match,surely he would have more power in the negotiations,etc,and he should have gone all out to make a rematch.It just makes me wonder if Hagler knew Ray had that slight edge on him(especially mentally) and thought “i’ve had enough of this game, i’m going to Italy”.
Or did he know that after tyhe fight with the Beast, he no longer looked
forward to going up to P-Town and train in the solitude. Maybe he just felt drained and knew iit was time to get out while he could with his marbles intact. Funny thing is that I saw him a few weeks ago (he only lives about two miles from me) and he looks as fit as a fiddle. He must be working out quite abit.
Pray for Nick Charles
Yeah they have both aged well,though i’m not suprised with Leonard especially.Marvin used to commentate a bit for the BBC over here in between his Italian movie projects.
Must be nice to run into him,Ted.He seems much more open and less guarded nowadays,which is natural i suppose.
Yeah
Long,hard career for Marv.Just them early Philly fights would have finished a lot of fighters i reckon.
Still guared to some degree, but he is well accepted here.
Kind of like a town icon.
Pray for Nick Charles
Leonard got in his head for sure.
Not in an Ali way, more in “who is this pretty boy and why does he think he has a shot against me?” manner; same way Ray rankled Duran: The one guy they never wanted to lose to.
Marvin fought a terrible fight, IMO—should have been all over Ray from the first second of the first round, look foolish at times if he had to but send the message that there was to be no peace, no mercy. Corner should have lit a fire in the man, but maybe there wasn’t any fire left—
Then there is the reality that Hagler always liked fighters who came to him, always had trouble with boxers. …
by Don From Prov on Jul 26, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions
heart breaker
At the time it broke my heart and almost 20 years later it still upsets me dreadfully that was the fight beetween Jerry Quarry and Ron Cramner it was an utter disgrace and surely those at the time closest to Jerry must accept responsibility for allowing this sickening event to take place, this is a sentence i recently read " OUR FAMILY MOTTO IS" “THERE’S NO QUIT IN A QUARRY” they are the chilling words of Jack Quarry father and trainer of Jerry and Mike Quarry.—- respect to the Quarry brothers.
I tried to cover this in my first book and did alot of research leading up to the Cranmer debacle. It
made me puke. It was so corrupt. Jerry had no idea where he was or what he was doing by then.
Pray for Nick Charles
Jerry
quoting from his book “The heavyweights” author Bob Mee says this "In 1990 when Jerry was already obviously suffering, in an interview Jerry says “WOULD I DO IT ALL AGAIN ?” YOU DAMNED KNOW I’D GO BACK INTO BOXING. YES SIR!—-that’s just typical of the man.
Before he contracted pugislitica dementia, he was a pretty articulate guy. He was far from a dummy. But once he got it, things began to chnage. I first noticed it in the Joe Alexander fight where his relexes were off despite waxing Joe. The horrible thing about PD is that the symptons don’t show up until many years after you have contracted it and by thenm, it’s too late. The recent demise of Denny Moyer is atestament to just how terriblle this malady is.
Jerry would die before quitting—-and he did.
Pray for Nick Charles
Nate Campbell, to a degree. He’s been a favorite of mine for a while, but between going bankrupt as a result of Joan Guzman’s shenanigans, and being stuck with Don King for a promoter… I really thought that the Ortiz fight would be his chance, free of all the BS, to make the real run to the top that his talent should’ve allowed him.
And then he came out old and slow and got… well, not stomped, because Ortiz is still kinda timid since the Maidana fight and never put his foot on the gas to put Nate away, but clearly and convincingly beaten. Damn shame.
by Verklemptomaniac on Jul 24, 2010 8:08 PM EDT reply actions
Heartbreaking in a different sense
In recent times, both Mayweather and Calderon have broke my heart not in the ring but outside of it. Although it is a little different with Ivan, both fighters have avoided the toughest competition recently mostly to keep the undefeated record intact. Both are absolute geniuses on defense, and could have cleaned out almost any division they decided to go after. Yet, Mayweather continuously avoided the toughest fight and Ivan avoided, recently, Solis, Sosa, and Viloria. Maybe being a bit harsh there but that’s my view.
Another type is what happened to both Kirkland and Tyson, breaking hearts by breaking the law.
I just scored the book........
Yeah, I’m at home tonight watching the tube. “Avatar” won’t work, so I did Zombie’s “Halloween 2” for the hell of it…. Its kool…..
I just reviewed “Louis-Marciano” from ’51 and the first “Louis-Walcott” robbery from ’47… I eat them fights up…..
Gimmie “Wlad Klit- Peter 2” and “Vit Klit- Briggs” for dinner….. I’ll down it all…… WORD!
Go GRANT over ADAMEK!! Yes, I am dreaming there…….
NO PPV here for “Marquez-Diaz 2.” Gimmie the HBO replay……. I’ll tape that…..
I still use VHS in 2010……. No shame, either…….. It works well for me…….
MR.BILL
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
Another one that made me feel real bad for Joe.
first "Louis-Walcott" robbery from ā47
Pray for Nick Charles
Every boxing fan got at least a heartbroken
If you are a real boxing fan then you will experience something like this. One of these days your favorite fighter(S) is gonna be defeated. You will feel blue and find it’s hard to take. I was shocked when one of my most favorite fighters Julio C. Chavez got beat up for the first time in his life by Franky Randal. He was knocked down once in the late round and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I couldn’t speak up anything for minutes after that, and my wife asked me “Are you O.K.?”
So if you are a real boxing fan like me, you do understand how I really felt at that moment, don’t you?
What if your favorite fighter was Joe Calzaghe?
As he was mine. Of course…after Micky Ward, Gatti and a few others. I usually follow a couple at a time after watching them on Friday Night Fights or a similar program. James Toney and Winky Wright were some other ones that I enjoyed watching. I guess the most disappointing boxer I’ve seen from my perspective has been Audley Harrison. Liked Ricky Hatton as well.
The Once and Future King
As a Puerto Rican
Trinidad brutally losing to Hopkins broke my heart. Listening to Tito’s father lie to him in the corner between rounds that he was winning the fight was both sad and illuminating. When that towel flew into the ring I thought “Never again will I feel like this.” Of course I thought all was right after he dismantled Mayorga (who in retrospect was almost taylor made for him to beat). I think watching Trinidad-Winky hurt worse than watching Trinidad-Hopkins.
I refused to get on the Cotto bandwagon till he beat Mosley. I knew he’d break my heart too, and he did, taking the asswooping of his life against Margarito. I felt momentarily vindicated when Margarito was discovered to be a cheater- only to have to live through the heartbreak again when he had no answer to Pacquiao’s offence.
Irrational nationalistic pride is a bitch.
(I felt the same way when Fedor Emelianenko lost to Fabricio Werdum in 71 seconds on CBS not too long ago, having watched him fight and brutally beat everyone he’s faced in the 6+ years I followed his fights. It might have been even worse than all of my boxing heatbreaks, as it was over virtually before it began.)
Ricky Hatton came closer to beating Manny Pacquiao than Marquez did to beating Floyd.
-SC
by The Lethal Haze on Jul 24, 2010 9:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Another for me was when Sean O'Grady was wiped out by John "The "Heat" Verdorosa.
Pray for Nick Charles
As much as it pains me to say,
but Sean O’Grady was a phony fighter………… His 90 pro fights consisted of rednecks, cattle-wrestlers and tractor race riders…….. His losses occured against the real or decent dude’s he fought……. O’Grady’s record has more padding than Johnny Bench’s catchers glove ever had on it……… WORD!
MR.BILL
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
SRL coming back like an idiot, first against Norris and then Camacho was truly heartbreaking. Leonard would have beat the sh*t out of those guys in his prime.
YES!
But that goes without having to state the obvious……… WORD!
MR.BILL
Raleigh
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
Tru dat. It was painful to watch, however. SRL could not move his riht leg for some reason.
Camacho just tore into him. Brutal, humiliating, and ugly to witness.
Pray for Nick Charles
Against Camacho in 1997
Ray Leonard used a “Calf” injury excuse during the post fight interview……
Physically, and nearing age 41 in 1997, aside from the receding hair up top, SRL looked lean and mean for being inactive the prior 6 years…. But, once the opening bell rang against Camacho, it was obvious Ray’s legs were shaky and his punches were not sharp at all…. He was badly faded….. Ray clearly was out-boxed from rds 1 thru 4, and stopped in round 5…….
MR.BILL
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
From zhenyuli_cn@sina.com; China
Thanks, Ted!
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Pray for Nick Charles
Working late tonight on my 4th book (crime). Got AC/DC in the background and Jimi
coming up. I need the right mood, but the words are flowing off the keyboard.
Pray for Nick Charles
RJJ was the first fighter I loved
I’ll be the first to admit that I know very little about boxing pre-1985 or so, but it is just impossible for me to believe that anyone, ever, could have the raw, physical talent of Roy Jones Jr. Was he the best boxer ever? Absolutely not. But that handspeed was something I genuinely don’t believe we’ll ever see again.
Anyhow, I loved watching him fight, despite that he often disappointed me with his choice of opponents. Still, when he beat John Ruiz to claim a heavyweight strap…he was bigger than life to me, a real Jordan-like figure.
So, when he eeked out a win in the first Tarver fight, I was able to say, “well, he was weight-drained.” But when he got pulverized in Tarver II…my eyes saw it happen, but my brain couldn’t process it. I sat silent on my couch for probably 30 minutes. It was devastating.
And while Tarver III also stung, the absolute worst loss to me was easily the Glenn Johnson fight. For the first time, it was really clear to me that RJJ had lost the magic…and then he was brutally KO’d. I remember seeing him lying motionless on the canvas that night…and I’ll admit, I shed a tear. Someone who had seemed so larger than life for more than a decade was suddenly rendered so human in that moment, and it genuinely hurt me. I knew it would never be the same.
by The Boxer Rebellion on Jul 24, 2010 11:07 PM EDT reply actions
This was my first heartbreak as well
I threw a party for the second Tarver fight convinced it was going to be just like Griffin 2. Bragged Roy up all day, just to have everyone sit down and it end very quickly. I kicked everyone out. To this day I still hurt from that fight, I think a little bit of my soul died that night.
I still hurt from seeing replays. It almost wipeouts all memories of what Roy did to everyone else.
.
by teabaggingexper on Jul 25, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Driving for four hours on treacherously icy roads,
together with a car filled with my homeboys from Philly, we drove to watch the then undefeated Smokin’ Joe Frazier fight George Foreman on closed-circuit TV. The technology was faltering when suddenly we were given a clear picture of our beloved Joe standing face to face with Big George and touching gloves.
I don’t think I ever experienced heartbreak ..and fear…like I did moments later when the man that had defeated the true GOMT (Greatest Of My Time) was virtually slaughtered in front of our eyes. Fear doesn’t describe that moment. Nor does shock. Sadness, deep and profound, may begin to.
The next time that happened I was alone watching on my own screen. That was when Antonio Tarver put a stake in my heart by cold-cocking Roy Jones Jr.. I flipped the TV off instantly.
Sugar Ray Leonard vs Dave Boy Green -1980
Leonards’s first defence, Green was my idol; a tough, relentless, never say die young fighter. I was 13, sitting in front of the TV with my dad willing the Fen Tiger on to victory. In the 4th round Leonard KO’d Green with a left hook from the darkest pits of Hell – the most violent knockout I’d ever witnessed – lifeless and out cold before he hit the canvas.
Crushed – all-consuming heartbreak but with an undertow of awe. First time I’d ever experienced this paradox of emotion but boxing soon smashed me again with the same paralyzing one-two when Marvelous Marvin tore apart Alan Minter. Iran the Blade’s 3rd round mugging of Tommy Hearns was another.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
When Ricky Hatton got knocked out by Manny Pacquaio.
The Floyd Mayweather knockout was nowhere near as upsetting, because Ricky still got to show what he could do for 10 rounds, and was fighting at a higher weight etc. But the Pacquiao knockout was just about the most devastating thing I’ve seen, and it was just heartbreaking to see Ricky asleep on the canvas. That KO still sends shivers down my spine.
"The terror of the unforeseen is what the science of history hides, turning a disaster into an epic"
by Oli Goldstein on Jul 25, 2010 5:49 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
plus 1
Most people in the know thought Mayweather would embaress Hatton. Ohay he didn’t quite do that but his class showed in that fight. But Hatton was maybe a slight favouroute, or at least there were plenty of people picking him in that fight. And the way he lost was “heartbreaking” because he didn’t deserve that.
by Sweet science on Jul 25, 2010 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, Ricky absolutely didn’t deserve that. That’s why I’m torn over whether he should come back, because its horrible that he should go out in such a way, yet there is still the worry that he’s so far gone that he gets stopped on a comeback.
"The terror of the unforeseen is what the science of history hides, turning a disaster into an epic"
by Oli Goldstein on Jul 25, 2010 12:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not just get stopped
I think he could do some serious damage to himself. And that would shatter a man’s heart to see him like that. All though he didn’t deserve to lose like that, there is still no shame in losing to the two best fighters of his generation.
by Sweet science on Jul 25, 2010 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
JERRY QUARRY
Yes Jerry Quarry stayed in the game too long. Some only remember his defeats and have forgotten he beat some of the best heavyweights ever. Men like Earnie Shavers, Floyd Patterson, MacArthur Foster, Thad Spencer and Ron Lyle. The last days of Jerry’s life would break any one’s heart. Jerry deserves to be remembered much better thah he is. Quarry would have been a champion in another era.
Great article Ted
I think anything that detracts from the memory of a fine fighter whether based on a ring perfomance that is barely a flicker of the fire that once swept a ring or to see a boxer post career in trouble either physically, mentally or Financially always brings a tear to my eye, because of the great enjoyment and entertainment these individuals provided for us the fans with their blood sweat and some times even more their lives .I also still get upset at the fate and difficulties of fighters whose careers were sabotaged or blighted through politics race or other things .When I read about the struggles and fate of Joe Gans, I well up. The original Joe Walcott dying in a hit and run and being buried in an unmarked grave because his body was not recognised . To see Muhammed Ali now and to remember the man he was .The premature deaths of Arturo Gatti and Edwin Valero .Then there are the World champs that never were Charles Burley, Packey McFarland or Lazlo Papp , the injustice of being too good or the wrong nationality . As for actual fights I have read described or seen I think Wilde being koed by Pancho Villa when he was well past it is sad though the actual footage now on you tube shows agin how heroic Wilde was. Holmes Ali is a fight that always is unbearable to watch. From Larry`s reluctance to hit Ali to Bundini`s insane calls at the end of the tenth round. Johnny Owen aginst Lupe Pintor not just for the welshmans fate but also for what a great show he put on. Lloyd Honeyghan against Mark Breland to see a decent fighter being knocked down with Jabs. More recently RJJ seems to be on a mission to destroy the legacy of an all time great.
by GT BOX the real McCoy on Jul 25, 2010 9:33 AM EDT reply actions
From Ray Gordon Reid
GOOD SUNDAY MORNING BADLEFTHOOK BRICKHAU SSCOTT CRISTMRTEDFIGHTERSHEARBRAKERSBOXINGPLANETSARESYOURGOODFRIEND RAYGORDONREIDWAYCROSSGEORGIAJAN1/11/1955 ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLDONEBYTHEMASTERIFYOUHAVEREADTEDSNEWBOOKYOUBESORRY FLOYDMAYWEATHERUGHMANNYPACANTONIOMARGOCHEATERMANNYPACMIKKELVIKINGWARRIORKESSLEROVERALLENGREENARTHURARABAHAM OVERCARLCOBRAFROCHSAMPETRERVSWLADIMIRKLITSCHKO2WLAD
Pray for Nick Charles
Again....
This proposed rematch between Wlad Klit and Sammy Peter stinks to me…… And I never trusted Al Pov as a legit fighter at all…… This whole mess just reeks to high heaven……… I sense a delay or some type of stall or cancellation altogether………
Wlad Klit needs to go after someone other than “Peter or Povetkin.”
I prefer David Tua, but that’s purely Fantasy Island right there…….
MR.BILL
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
Haye is the real fight as I see it. Even Briggs would be interesting for 3 or 4 rounds until
Wlad sends him to Flatbush Heaven.
Pray for Nick Charles
I remember the film from '74
That starred Henry Winkler and Sly Stallone called “The Lords of Flatbush.” I haven’t seen it in years and I remember very little about it other than they were a rowdy bunch outta New York……
MR.BILL
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
(The then) Clay
whupping Sonny Liston.
I was fairly young and Liston was the man. I even used to paste pictures of Clay’s head on previous fallen victims of Sonny as he glowered over them. An of course, Clay didn’t have a chance in that fight, so to watch the drama when Clay couldn’t see but still survived, and then to see him come back and actually out-punch the baddest man in the world—
All bad enough, but then the quitting. Liston quit. Flat out.
Everything else was bullshit. He just quit, and I knew it even then. Broke my heart.
Ali went on to be my favorite fighter, but he helped do me in on that night.
Well, Wlad has already been
parked 3 X to my knowledge, so if he gets cold-cocked again it won’t shock me to death. However, older bro Vitali has only been stopped by injuries beyond his willpower. And at age 39ish, I’d like to see V.K. close out 2010 with a brutal KO over Shannon Briggs and fully retire from the ring with the WBC belt. I’d also like to see Wlad Klit go out on top as well perhaps by 2013 at the most…… These brothers are already so friggin’ rich and famous all over the freaking globe that they are set for life and have other options to earn income….. They are truly talented, smart and blessed……. To me, that’s greatness…….
MR.BILL
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
Joe Calzaghe
would be a FOOL to come back and carry onward in the ring…… They guy has his huge following in Britain and Europe, plus he’s earned his IBHOF status for sure…… Why screw that all up and risk getting beaten by a young tiger?
I care LESS if Joe Calzy recently got divorced and was taken to the cleaners by some dame, I’m sure he had a good enough lawyer to help him retain a nice fortune hidden away in some foreign bank or two…….
I just hate it when rich athletes go belly up cuz they invested big bucks into lame projects that were doomed from the beginning. Why not take a few million and place it in some trust fund and live like a normal human being off the goddamn interest? Is that too much to ask for outta these turkeys??
Good grief………
MR.BILL
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
I saw in a mag. or on a fight card
that Bruce Seldon see’s $30,000 G’s a year off interest…… Not great by any means, but its something to keep a roof and food on the table……..
In truth, if I had my way, I’d have forced Bruce to give back the 5 million he got in 1996 for laying down on the job after Tyson zinged a glancing shot off the side of Bruce’s head, followed by a miss…… That was a gutless effort if there ever was one…….. Excluding Sonny Liston’s con job up in Maine back in ‘65……. But Liston didn’t get paid anywhere near 5 million clams for diving against Ali…….. WORD!
MR.BILL
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
norris
terry along with mike mccallum were my two favorites growing up.
body snatcher never gave me heart attacks but norris sure as hell did. from his two break downs vs santana to getting clocked by simon brown in their first fight to having scares vs troy waters and others. it was a wild ride following terry for sure. i had the pleasure of meeting him (really nice and humble) and watching live when he came to philly and beat the tar out of paul vaden for 12 rounds on the tyson/mathis show. it was a great day for sure.
"Newspapermen ask dumb questions. They look up at the sun and ask if it is shining."
-Sonny Liston
Davey over Vejar
This one had socio-economic implications nack then though noone knew what that phrase meant. Chuck represented the college kid good guy type while Chico was the blue collar ethnic guy. Naturally, I was for Chico and when Chuck beat him, it was just plain gut wrenching.
Davey was a very decent person, however, and met a terrible end. He deserved better. Chico is till kicking around CT.
Pray for Nick Charles
Wilfred Benitez losing to Mustafa Hamsho
Even though I have no hispanic connection, I always end up rooting for Mexican fighters (Barrera, Morales etc.)… I’m a Marquez fan, and Saturday, he might be another to add to the list.
I taped
“Benitez-Hamsho” from ’83 off reg. TV………. W.B. was just too weak to hold off the mauling Hammer….
This was the clear sign that W.B. was slipping and in danger of getting hurt…….. He failed to see it……. Shame……..
I have Benitez’ ’87 ass kicking at the gloves of Matt Hilton……….. A wicked KO loss……
Benitez’ old man ‘Gregorio’ was a gambling asshole and a horrid manager of his boys funds, etc……..
MR.BILL
Bill Petersen
MR.BILL
Raleigh, N.C.
The poor guy was damaged goods early on before alot of people could see te symptoms.
One of boxing’s darkest and saddest stories.
Pray for Nick Charles
The fighter who never disappointed me
Rocky Marciano was my hero. He was never beaten by anyone. He never disappointed me. My dream match is Marciano v.s. Tyson. Both fighters were single punch knock-out artists. So, can you imagine how exciting it would be?
As always Ted
Right on the money. Always hate to see a fighter stay too long, then take a bigtime beating.
I think Ive finaly gotten over my heart break from Paul Briggs. The fight shouldn’t of happened at all. He wasn’t mentaly or phsyical close to being a fighter. I strongly dout he took a dive. The man used to be good and thats how I will choose to remember him. Tho picturing him go down like that will still bring me down, I can always think back to what he was.
"I'm scared every time I go into the ring, but it's how you handle it. What you have to do is plant your feet, bite down on your mouthpiece and say, 'Let's go.'" Mike Tyson
Briggs' wars with Adamek
that’s the fighter I’ll remember sigidy. I’m with you mate, I’m not buying into the whole ‘dive’ mass hysteria either. Thirty seconds in and it’s time to sell the dive? Bullshit. A bloke that hard up for cash risking his commentary gig – like that? The one round bets came flooding in because Briggs looked shot in training. Word got out.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
The Marrickville Mauler
Jeff Fenech’s toughness and spartan approach to gym work always inspired me. He could fight hard for every minute of every round, every fight – often with broken hands. Watching light punching Calvin Grove smash him to the canvas – his upper lip split right up to his nostril – was pretty hard to take – much more so than the Nelson defeat. No disgrace in losing to an ATG like Azumah. His two round defeat to Philip Holiday a few years later was ugly too.
Jeff Harding never broke my heart in the ring but he’d drop into a Sydney hotel I managed. Sad to see a once mighty warrior barely lucid and vulnerable. Hearing him tell you that he had to sell his WBC belt was pretty heartbreaking.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
harding and mccallum had a good scrap.
"Newspapermen ask dumb questions. They look up at the sun and ask if it is shining."
-Sonny Liston
by sonofapsycho on Jul 26, 2010 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Fenech was one of my favorites.
I was rooting for him against Nelson and was a bit blown away by the second fight.
by Don From Prov on Jul 26, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I liked Nelson a lot as well. He was incredibly skilled and the greatest Afican fighter of all time IMO.
Pray for Nick Charles
Yeah, I liked Nelson,
but I was a bigger Fenech fan. He just —
Well, Mr. Snake pretty well sums him up in those first two sentences of his post.
by Don From Prov on Jul 26, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I'm pissed.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
That aint my name, looks pretty bad especially in a boxing book. Shit happens I guess.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
What book did I edit that had the name
Goatsnake in it?
What are you referring to? I have no idea.
by Don From Prov on Jul 28, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
*Shane Keeling owns and operates an award winning vegetarian restaurant in Port Melbourne, Victoria. He lives in bayside South Melbourne and has been a supporter of the fight game for 30 years. He was an amateur boxer who competed in Australia and the UK, winning junior and senior Golden Gloves titles".
Pray for Nick Charles
Heartland by...............
Right at the start you can’t miss it.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
Join the dots.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
Planet Boxing
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
Look Goatsnake,
you’re a great guy—and you might, as you said,
be having a piss yourself (if so you’re doing a good job), but I have no idea what “Heartland by” means or refers to and if you are not
just playing around and are actually pissed—
I have no idea why. None. And I’m not playing this shit anymore.
by Don From Prov on Jul 28, 2010 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
It's called 'taking the piss' mate not 'having a piss' lol!
I’ve emailed you Don – no worries mate..
And for the record – you’re a great guy too.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
Relax, calma, paziennza . It was my mistake. Prov didn't proof the guest articles.
Pray for Nick Charles
Thoughts on Nelson v Fenech
I always thought Jeff won against Nelson but he copped a really bad beating in doing it . Nelson landed a lot of overhand rights in that fight . Similar in some ways to Ali v Frazier 1 . Like Frazier , Fenech won but he ate an incredible amount of leather in Vegas that day . Im with Ted , Azumah is the best African fighter ever in my opinion . Dick Tiger is second , Ike Quartey third .
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. " Hunter S Thompson.
G'Day JC, spot on mate.
Fenech’s attack was his defence. It was easy to overlook the punishment he took because he just walked through incoming punches, throwing a ton of his own at the same time.
Respect to Dick Tiger. – I may have already mentioned it but CJ Ambrose is a mate of mine, he trains my girlfriend at a fitness centre down here. He’s Young Dick Tiger’s son. We were watching Martinez v Williams and Hopkins v Pavlik the other day.. “Yeah mate I know you’re boxing royalty but it’s your shout!!” Cool bloke. He’s only a young fella, 23 , but doesn’t fight anymore. I’m trying to lure him out of retirement so I can live vicariously through his boxing superstardom – and collect a small managerial percentage along the way. Gotta keep working on him – keep that lineage alive.
"Anytime you go thirty rounds with a guy, try to kill each other, and have the utmost respect for each other, no one understands that, but guys who have been to war understand it." - Micky Ward on Arturo Gatti.
I’m late for the bloody show unfortunately . Two fights for mine , Ali v Holmes . I didnt watch it as I knew what was going to happen but the result was extremely painful and Duran doing his No Mas against Leonard . That one blew my mind at the time .
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. " Hunter S Thompson.
TONY AYALA
In the early 80’s Tony Ayala was a rising star as a jr. middle weight. He was not far from a title shot and Tony was about as hard a puncher as there was at that weight. Sugar Ray Lenoard and Tommy Hearns would not be a sure thing against a prime Tony Ayala. Tony got in trouble with the law and went away for years. I had high hopes for his career as a boxer and I am sure many other people did as well.
Heart Breaking Fighter
Ted, Even though Paul Briggs lost in the sad way he did, lets not forget how good of a fighter he was a few yrs ago. Eg .The 2 Wars with Tomas Adamek were pure slugfest classics & maybe considered 2 of the best fights in the last decade. Yes I agree that Briggs’s loss broke my heart , but Paul Briggs will always be a champion to many people. Same goes for guys like Roy Jones Jnr.
Great Article mate.
Cheers
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