Thread: Can you think of any "Event" fighters?

Toward the end of Iron Mike Tyson’s career, I heard it said that he could still fill an arena even if he fought a Kangaroo. As I recall, when he fought “The Clones Colossus,” Kevin McBride, in his last fight on June 6, 2005 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., the arena was packed to the rafters. Mike skills had deteriorated considerably and he was coming off a stunning KO loss to Danny Williams a year earlier. In fact, Mike fought once a year between 2001 and 2005 and each fight was took on major event status. Heck, even his 2006 exhibition with Corey “T-Rex” Sanders in Youngstown, Ohio on the ill-conceived Mike Tyson World Tour was looked upon with great interest and was a pay-per-view event.

Oscar De La Hoya was a classic "event type" fighter. WHen he fought, it was a big event that virtually transcended boxing. It was about ultra hype ad nauseam and included his adoring female fans, the melodramatic 24/7 reality series, the so-called “bad blood” between Freddie Roach and Oscar as a left over from the Mayweather fight. It was also about the ethnic factor, teaser trailer videos, his “improving” relationship with his father, the false "drama" of training in Big Bear with his family nearby, his East LA background; the Olmpic Gold Medal, Golden Boy Promotions, Ring Magazine, etc, etc. And like Tyson, fighting the “Golden Boy” ensured that his opponents will walk away with some real gold. In short, it was all about business with the fight sometimes taking on a peripheral persona.

With Tyson history and Oscar likley gone, can you think of any other such fighters?

There is none, no one else grabs the publics attention but as far a grabbing attention when it isnt deserved then Judah and Burtterbean are a couple of prime examples, Butterbean or Eric Esche more so, people know who he is even though hes never fought for or held a title

There are no undeserving ticket sellers at the mo though, Hatton would be the biggest ticket seller but at least you get to see some action with him annd sing along with his fans who you can hear over the commentators

I think the first event fighter was Joe Louis....my Grandmother told me a story about her whole family gathering around the radio to listen to one of his fights and by the time everything got set up and ready Joe had already KO'd the guy.

I'm not sure if they had live broadcasts of Dempsey fights or not

Originally Posted by Lyle

I think the first event fighter was Joe Louis....my Grandmother told me a story about her whole family gathering around the radio to listen to one of his fights and by the time everything got set up and ready Joe had already KO'd the guy.

I'm not sure if they had live broadcasts of Dempsey fights or not

Your grandmother was correct. I can remember that myself. I think Hatton comes close today. Lot's of fun before, durings and after the fight. Lot's of singing and boozing and fun.

Originally Posted by holmcall

Toward the end of Iron Mike Tyson’s career, I heard it said that he could still fill an arena even if he fought a Kangaroo.

Tyson also said, he could sell out MSG masturbating...

Past: John L. Sullivan he was the "event", this dude made Jesse James come out from hiding when he was wanted in 7 states by the law, he traveled 400 miles by horse. It almost cost James his life as he rode from Missouri to Mississippi just to see Sullivan fight. The legendary writer Oscar Wilde travelled accross the sea by boat to come see him fight. Keep in mind this was 1882

Since then we've had a handful.
Joe Louis
SRR
Kid Gavilan
Ali
Duran
Monzon

Of more recent times:
SRL
JCC
Tyson
ODLH
Naz
Lennox
Gatti

Originally Posted by Lyle

I think the first event fighter was Joe Louis....my Grandmother told me a story about her whole family gathering around the radio to listen to one of his fights and by the time everything got set up and ready Joe had already KO'd the guy.

I'm not sure if they had live broadcasts of Dempsey fights or not

You mentioned a good one here in Dempsey. He used to draw huge crowds before the days of big advertising and promoting and even radio was still very primative!

Maybe its just cus he's my favorite fighter, but Ricardo Mayorga is an event fighter in my book.

The build up to his fights usually are intense, and often hilarious with him talking mad shit.

Then when or lose he puts on a show in the ring with his wild brawling style.

Tito Trinidad is another.

Thats why there fight was such a HUGE EVENT.

Originally Posted by holmcall

Originally Posted by Lyle

I think the first event fighter was Joe Louis....my Grandmother told me a story about her whole family gathering around the radio to listen to one of his fights and by the time everything got set up and ready Joe had already KO'd the guy.

I'm not sure if they had live broadcasts of Dempsey fights or not

Your grandmother was correct. I can remember that myself. I think Hatton comes close today. Lot's of fun before, durings and after the fight. Lot's of singing and boozing and fun.

OIutstanding choices which add to CMM's growing legend as an "Event Poster."

Originally Posted by holmcall

Toward the end of Iron Mike Tyson’s career, I heard it said that he could still fill an arena even if he fought a Kangaroo. As I recall, when he fought “The Clones Colossus,” Kevin McBride, in his last fight on June 6, 2005 at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C., the arena was packed to the rafters. Mike skills had deteriorated considerably and he was coming off a stunning KO loss to Danny Williams a year earlier. In fact, Mike fought once a year between 2001 and 2005 and each fight was took on major event status. Heck, even his 2006 exhibition with Corey “T-Rex” Sanders in Youngstown, Ohio on the ill-conceived Mike Tyson World Tour was looked upon with great interest and was a pay-per-view event.

Oscar De La Hoya was a classic "event type" fighter. WHen he fought, it was a big event that virtually transcended boxing. It was about ultra hype ad nauseam and included his adoring female fans, the melodramatic 24/7 reality series, the so-called “bad blood” between Freddie Roach and Oscar as a left over from the Mayweather fight. It was also about the ethnic factor, teaser trailer videos, his “improving” relationship with his father, the false "drama" of training in Big Bear with his family nearby, his East LA background; the Olmpic Gold Medal, Golden Boy Promotions, Ring Magazine, etc, etc. And like Tyson, fighting the “Golden Boy” ensured that his opponents will walk away with some real gold. In short, it was all about business with the fight sometimes taking on a peripheral persona.

With Tyson history and Oscar likley gone, can you think of any other such fighters?

Good thread. But there was a big difference between the two, IMO. While DLH always cared deeply about his "event fighter" status, to the point where it even affected his business decisions later in his career.... Tyson could give a flying f*ck about being an "event fighter" or anything of the sort. He just wanted the next warm body to slaughter in the ring, which made him to dangerous in the ring and so beloved to his fans.