Any boxing fans?

[Tundra Tiger]

@Tundra Tiger - I like Boxing and use to love it - could name the Champions in most weight classes from the 1970s until the 90s …but then it became a mess and Now it’s a Joke. I’m getting desperate to see a fighter with some real “skill” - you know, not a Fat Pig, that’s out of breath by round 2 and can’t throw more then 5 a round or 50 punches in the entire fight, also maybe go back to 15 rounds for Championship fights and 8oz gloves vs. the “pillows” worn today ! Yes, I am a bitter & desperate former fan - just Not desperate enough to watch Jake Paul fight someone in a Nursing Home. The amateurs in Olympics and NY Golden Gloves seem more highly skilled.

Understood. Last night's was by the book (rules, glove size), and Anthony Joshua is a legit heavyweight and in shape. I saw a headline that said Paul's jaw was broken in 2 places.

 

[Firebird]

Refer to post #55 for the x ray pic. Here is the frontal which displays some damage as well

 

[fourfive8]

One of the most surprising and underrated heavy weights IMO was Butterbean at his peak. It seemed a few of his smug opponents suffered the same miscalculation.

 

[HankBuck]

One of the most surprising and underrated heavy weights IMO was Butterbean at his peak. It seemed a few of his smug opponents suffered the same miscalculation.

@fourfive8 - well he was called “King of the 3 Rounders” which is the Amateur distance and he certainly was a Big Tough guy. I watched a few of his fights don’t recall him defeating any Top Heavyweights —- never won any of the 3-4-5 Title Belts being offered (IBC, IBA, WBO, WBA, WBC etc..) at least not that I recall. There was a similar fighter in the late 1930s “2 Ton Tony Gallento” that was ranked in the Top 10 and I think fought Joe Luis (and Lost)….so some fat guys can fight

 

[fourfive8]

@fourfive8 - well he was called “King of the 3 Rounders” which is the Amateur distance and he certainly was a Big Tough guy. I watched a few of his fights don’t recall him defeating any Top Heavyweights —- never won any of the 3-4-5 Title Belts being offered (IBC, IBA, WBO, WBA, WBC etc..) at least not that I recall. There was a similar fighter in the late 1930s “2 Ton Tony Gallento” that was ranked in the Top 10 and I think fought Joe Luis (and Lost)….so some fat guys can fight

Yes, I don’t think he was ever ranked very high. But after watching a few videos of his fights, I gained respect for his deceptive power, speed and skill. Many of his opponents obviously underestimated his ability. He dropped a few decent fighters with single, shuddering jabs or upper cuts. He built quite a fan following because of his body shape and surprising knock outs. If nothing else, results of his fights were always entertaining with unpredictable results.

A fighter in the game in the late 50s- early 60s, whose name I can’t remember, was similarly entertaining with a unique, “trick” punch. My dad and I used to regularly watch the Friday Night Fights on TV and I remember this tall, lanky heavy weight who had a “signature” punch he would randomly throw by reaching around his back!

 

[Firebird]

The story of Eric Esch is pretty inspiring, no longer a Butterbean. . .

 

[Vinootz]

My dad was a former amateur boxer, so I grew up following boxing. My era was also the Ali, Frazier, Norton, Foreman era. Roberto Duran was also an early favorite. I loved the sport, until it was completely taken over by crooked promoters, thuggish boxers and a ruined by a governing body out to make a quick buck. Perhaps it’s better now, I don’t know.

Sadly, I’m not into professional sports much anymore. They used to be a wonderful escape and a uniting force in society. Now, they divide us by bringing the disagreements and turmoil of the real world into the arena. If I want to hear about politics, I’ll just turn on the news.

That was good era for boxing. I too strayed away for similar reasons over the years.

 

[HankBuck]

That was good era for boxing. I too strayed away for similar reasons over the years.

@Vinootz - I agree the Frazier-Ali-Holmes-Duran-Hagler-Leonard-Hearns was a Good Era for Boxing and it might of been the “end” of good boxing on a wide scale. I think the Golden Age for Boxing was the 1930s to 1960 when fighters “needed” to fight 10 to 15 fights per year (expect heavyweights) because there wasn’t much prize money paid to the lower weight classes - Sugar Ray Robinson never made more than $40,000 for any one fight (1950s-60)….Heavy Weight Jack Dempsey made $1 million in the 1920s. Maybe the 1950s was also great because bouts were first Televised in the 1950s leading to a new audience——-anyway, I MISSED it !!

 

[Vinootz]

@Vinootz - I agree the Frazier-Ali-Holmes-Duran-Hagler-Leonard-Hearns was a Good Era for Boxing and it might of been the “end” of good boxing on a wide scale. I think the Golden Age for Boxing was the 1930s to 1960 when fighters “needed” to fight 10 to 15 fights per year (expect heavyweights) because there wasn’t much prize money paid to the lower weight classes - Sugar Ray Robinson never made more than $40,000 for any one fight (1950s-60)….Heavy Weight Jack Dempsey made $1 million in the 1920s. Maybe the 1950s was also great because bouts were first Televised in the 1950s leading to a new audience——-anyway, I MISSED it !!

One’s got to figure those early days had tough fighters. I wasn’t around in the 30s and born in 61’. And yes I was going to mention Hagler and Hearns before , Duran , Aaron Pryor, Alexis Arguelo, Sugar Ray Leonard. Don’t forget , Foreman,Ernie Shavers , Ken Norton, and Ron Lyle in the heavyweights. Ali could never figure out Ken Norton . And they ALL FEARED Ernie Shavers punching power. Frankly he might have been one of the hardest hitters in heavyweight history. Here’s one for you. I met Vlad Klitschko at a family dinner ( I know his then fiancé). When I brought up Hearns, Hagler , Arguelo, Duran. He didn’t even know who some of them were - if any of them. Go figure. A guy mentored by Max Schmelling and the first true white contender in modern times, who was a Ukrainian heavyweight fighting out of East Germany and mentored by an old world boxer. How is that I wondered. Any way, Tyson, Holyfield , Lenox Lewis era 80s to 90s revived my interest for a while. Tyson Fury surprised me, And Anthony Joshua was interesting. Currently not much going on in the boxing world. Maybe it’ll work it’s way into a bunch of good fighters again. In order for boxing to be great you need a few good contenders all together. That’s what makes it great.
Boy , sitting around on Christmas with nothing to do brings out lots of me babbling I better go have a couple of drinks.
Enjoy all.

 

[meigsbucks]

When I was growing up, the .22 range was in the basement of the hall where they held Golden Glove matches in Cleveland: Navy Park. After shooting, Dad and I would go up and watch the matches for a while. Enjoyed watching Ali, Frazier, Norton and Foreman. By the time Tyson came along, I had lost interest.

 

[fourfive8]

Re: previous post about watching Friday Night Fights on our old BW TV with my dad and remembering an entertaining, tall, lanky fighter, with name I couldn’t remember… in the 50s- 60s. He had a unique style including a behind the back punch. I did AI search and found his name- Ray “Windmill” White. But in the process I confirmed, AGAIN, AI can be and is often flat wrong! AI answered in that dry, smug style that White was active between the late 60s and mid 70s. Wait a minute! I have better memory that that and know we watched him on TV beginning in late 50s. Sure enough! I did a regular bio search and found him. He was active from 1958 through about 1974. AI shot wild by at least 10 years!

Out of curiosity, I just now did another AI search using a different source and this one got the years right for Ray White. I have found, over and over, AI can be a dangerous rabbit hole for those who blindly and religiously trust it. The term/phrase “dumb down” comes to mind.

 

[fourfive8]

If interested in boxing, carefully watch details of various highlights of Pacquiao fights. Always the recipient of verbal abuse by mouthy, trash talking opponents. With 8 titles, he may be the best all around of all time. Fast, accurate, instant reflexive combinations, powerful counter punch ability while on back foot. Very humble, soft spoken personality… exact opposite of many of the loud, ego maniacal in the fight game. I have occasionally run into him around Gensan and Mindanao. No different in person than seen in videos … courteous, quiet, humble.

 

[fourfive8]

Manny Pacquiao short interview. Pretty much shows what he is like.

 

[Bonk]

Naoya Inoue is an interesting watch.

DB

He is nothing short of incredible.

Inoue is the one fighter that got me interested in boxing again. Total class and an absolute Monster. I’m a big fan. Many experts think he’s currently the best pound for pound fighter. I agree. He is amazing.

 

[steve white]

How do we explain that some fighters have "hard hands" or unexpected power for their size?

 

[Doug3006]

I think “hard hands” and exceptional power are due to excellent form and technique. It’s amazing how much of an impact a blow can have when delivered with perfect timing and form. If you watch, you can see the “snap” when a boxer gets all of it right.

 

[steve white]

Refer to post #55 for the x ray pic. Here is the frontal which displays some damage as wellView attachment 734029

Now that's just nasty....

 

[Firebird]

I apologize if this has been covered already, it is the sad ending to the champs victory-

 

[Bonk]

Nothing good ever happens in Lagos, Nigeria.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Anyone up ready to watch Inoue - Nakatani?

I had to set my alarm... and I will go back to bed when it is over.

And later today I don't think I am going to shell out the 80 bucks for Benavidez - Ramirez, as compelling as that fight might be.

I think it'll be the Monster in a late round knockout in this one.