Riding off into the Sunset
by jrok on May 21, 2011 12:35 AM EDT
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PrintThis sport is tough, both in terms in doing it and in terms of loving it. There aren't a lot of golden parachutes when your job is hit-or-be-hit, so there is a lot of heartbreak involved in seeing great fighters go down hard and never really get up to enjoy their well-earned retirements.
In regard to their health and futures, there are a few fighters weighing on my my mind right now. I think I will always weigh a boxer's post-career against the Brockton boys (Marciano and Hagler), and how they managed to ride off into the sunset without a severe injury, an empty wallet, a string of losses, a huge career decline, etc.
I can think of several others who've made it out of this sport in a good way – some of them hall-of-famers – but I'm curious what the rest of you here at BLH can come up with in terms of happy endings for some of our favorite ring warriors. It would be great to hear some positive stories, even if it isn't from a former champ or even a contender.
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First that comes to mind is Ricardo “Finito” Lopez. Retired unbeaten and has lived what so far seems a very happy and successful career as a comentator since then.
Great one!
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
One of my favorite all-time fighters
I’ve heard many people mention how if you were to teach someone how to box, you should make him watch how Lopez fought due to his impecable skill, yet I’d add that not only how he fought should be used as a role model, but how he lived as a fighter. He had as clean of a life as I can think of as a fighter, retired at the right time with both his legacy and faculties intact, and since then has managed his wealth earned as a fighter while also finding a succesful post fighting career.
One of my favorite all-time fighters
Mine too.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Another happy ending
I would also consider Lennox Lewis a happy ending in boxing. Rtired while still on top of his game and just after winning a big fight (even if many wished he had given Vitali a rematch), and so far seems to be doing pretty good for himself.
Yes
Lennox stands out to me. He was a horrible commentator, but he was able to make the transition better than almost anyone. I sincerely hope he won’t hear the siren’s call!
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Sir Henry Cooper—reasonably long, happy life, many accomplishment, no poverty.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
And a damn KNIGHT to boot!
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Only boxer ever knighted by a British monarch.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
There were a couple others
That gangster guy who had a few pro fights and became a prominent businessman, eventually knighted….can’t remember his name, but he died within the last year.
Also, there’s an old-timer hall of famer who was in the House of Lords in the 1800’s, but I suppose he may have been born into royalty.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
I think both Foreman and Mancini count as happy endings. Particularly Foreman. He is the emperor of tiny grills.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Oscar
Avoided no one.
Making millions doing what others only dream.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Yeah
He is the obvious one!
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
AS LONG AS HE STAYS OUT
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
The only blemish I’d put on Oscar based on your criteria is that he did have a big career let down at the end (assuming he stays retired).
He got hammered, but not in a bad “I gotta pay my bills” way.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
There are some guys I am unclear about. I don’t think Joe Calzaghe is doing too well with his retirement, and I predict an unfortunate “comeback” in his future.
I am also not at all convinced that Julio Cesar Chavez is done fighting yet. I see another fight, and I don’t like it.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
What makes you think Chavez will fight again? I haven’t heard any rumors about him and by how he looks nowadays he’d have to fight a light-heavyweight (at least), or Ricky Hatton
What makes me think it, is that the mutherfucker always looks like he wants to fight.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
I think that’s just his face.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
by BoxAnne on May 21, 2011 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Freddie Roach
Parkinson’s aside, he doing pretty damn good.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Well
You might as well say Roger Mayweather, then…
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Freddie, for all that RM is a good trainer with many fine athletes, is a better trainer of finer athletes, almost undoubtedly a much richer man, and equally undoubtedly a happier natured man. Not facing charges, either.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
He likes his momma
The Mayweathers all seem to think women are to be beaten.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Floyd and Roger Mayweather
I have no idea of what they are saying but I doubt it would have been any different back in their day.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Yeah, look above
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Floyd Jr.
He is retired, right?
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
Ha..
Nor do I think he’s happy. Or finished.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
I guess what I’m talking about is pretty specific. There’s a difference between a Ring-Magazine-owning Oscar De La Hoya and the hard fall of a Leon Spinks, is what I’m saying. And I mean that with full respect to Leon Spinks.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
I think this is a good one, yeah.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
I think that Cooney made it out okay, although I’m not sure. I’ve never talked to him personally.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. A rich and healthy man of many interests.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
And
Like Lennox, a horrible boxing commentator! But we can’t all be good at everything!
But I did think of Mancini as one of my first ones. He seems to have made his way into the non-fighting world very well, and dragging a bigger weight than most at that.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
He often, I understand, makes himself available to converse with young fighters who’ve experienced the same tragedy, helping them out emotionally in a really meaningful way.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
It is a good thing.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Funny thing but something tells me Mike Tyson is better off than the former Iron Mike. At least I hope so.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
I get this feeling
that Kid Dynamite’s tale isn’t totally written yet. Some pat of me hopes it turns out okay, and another part says “you reap what you sow.”
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
yeeeep.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by Scott Christ on May 21, 2011 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions
He only would really qualify if Emanuel Stewart, amateur champion, would qualify. Their actual boxing careers were almost equally long. Both men knew they just wanted to train.
Jose Torres. Very successful life.
There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else--James Thurber, 1939
Barry McGuigan
He’s in good health and does ok working on Sky amongst other boxing related activities. He’s also an MBE.
Ric Flair - damn, didn't the old guy do well?
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on May 21, 2011 5:06 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jamie Moore
He might have fought once more after the Rhodes fight, but it was hidden on an undercard, so he basically left remembered for one heck of a great fight (among a career of great fights). He’s now carving out a very nice career as a Sky pundit, trainer-in-apprenticeship and sportswear mogul!
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on May 21, 2011 5:08 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Good one
Got out just the right time. I think someone said on here that he took a brain scan and something came up. Some people would have carried on but he did the right thing
by Sweet science on May 21, 2011 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Michael Bentt also has done well despite having suffered a bad injury.
Same for Alex Ramos who founded the Retired Boxers Foundation.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
Well after prison for a murder (maybe manslaugfhter) and then being stabbed in prison, he did come out pretty darn well.
Boxing saved his butt.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
And he survived Big George Foreman!
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
If Hopkins wins tonight, and retires on the spot, I think he could wind up with one of the best boxing endings imaginable. If Calzaghe manages to stay retired, and doesn’t drown his future in coke, he’ll be a on this list too.
Bad Left Hook
"My God, kids today think that the laces are for tying up the gloves."
-- Fritzie Zivic
Tony Danza
Went to audition for Taxi having just come out of sparring and already black and blue, won the job on the spot.
I’ve mentioned Zelkjo Mavrovic a couple times before. Retired due to a non-boxing related health condition after the Lewis fight, now is one of Croatia’s top purveyors of fine foods.
Pete Rademacher has had a fabulous post-fighting career as a corporate executive.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
GDay JRok
Apt thread considering Jones demise this morning . Larry Holmes , Zeljko Mavrovic , “Aussie” Joe Bugner , Kostya Tszyu , Aussie fighter – Aussie Rules footballer Ambrose Palmer http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Ambrose_Palmer. Carmen Basilio. Jeff Fenech has had his share of brushes with both crims and the law but as far as I know he’s still got most of his money. I know he’s still “fighting” but at this stage Aussie Anthony Mundine has done a better job of beating the beast that is " Boxing and keeping your money" than anyone I know of. The blokes made literally millions from a career facing cab drivers and sparring partners. Danny Green ditto. Cheers mate.
Well, JC. yOU MUST HAVE POOPED A BIG ONE LAST NIGHT RE HOPKINS.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
lol Bugger you Brick
I thought I was the only one who mentioned big Zelkjo and his organic produce .
Ricky Hatton retired with his only two losses coming from the best fighters in the world.
Been successful as a promoter and cocaine snorter..
Gee..
Why dont we ever see the headline "Psychic
wins lottery" in the newspapers?
well since its riding in the sunset happy...
Robert garcia seems happier being a trainer than a fighter…..and, certainly doing great.
stone and eggs - no business!
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