Thread: Why I'm a fan of..... (FILL IN THE BLANK)

Probably been done before.... but thought I'd revisit why some of us like certain particular fighters (or DISlike, for that matter). I'll start.

Why I'm a fan of... Manny Pacquiao:

1. He ended Oscar De La Hoya's "I-think-I'll-ride-off-into-the-sunset-with-a-safe, undersized, big-name scalp-under-my-belt" quest. He made Oscar quit on his stool. He also retired him.

2. He put an end to Hatton's "I'm-fighting-for-#1 p4p" nonsense..... EMPHATICALLY. Practically ended HIS career also. Exposed Hatton as a tad overrated.

3. He destroyed Margacheato's face, in a bit of a karma moment. What goes around comes around, like a fellow poster well put it in another thread. I wanted devastating KO... but maybe this was even better.

4. He's shown that you can be a world-class, exciting fighter without being an asshole. (Note: Any veiled references to a certain Pretty Boy are completely unintentional).

He also KO'ed Cotto... but I'll forgive him that.

Nice thought! I'll do two.

I'm a fan of Ricardo Lopez because

1. He grew as a technician even after being champion until at around 28 he was the finest technical fighter since Eder Jofre;
2. He fought everyone there was to fight and often did so in the other guy's hometown;
3. He knocked men out with one punch straight right hands, one punch left hooks and one punch uppercuts with each hand;
4. When he was aged and his skills fading he struggled with a younger, stronger Bufalo Alvarez. In their second fight Alvarez blew weight by TWO divisions and Lopez agreed to fight anyway. Cut in four places and behind Lopez began coming to ring center with hands held high with ten seconds left in the rest period so he'd have every chance to get after Bufalo. As clear a display of boxing spirit as one will ever see.

I'm a fan of Roberto Duran because

1. He was simply the most ferocious man in the ring I've ever seen live;
2. He too was an extraordinary technician with exceptional feet, great balance, every punch in the book;
3. He succeeded using a number of different approaches in the ring. Stalking (Ken Buchanan, Ray Lampkin) Brawling (Leonard I, Hiroshi Kobayashi) and counterpunching (DeJesus III, The Blade);
4. He was as relaxed in the ring as anyone I've ever seen;
5. After No Mas he built an entire second career through sheer willpower.

Originally Posted by marbleheadmaui

Nice thought! I'll do two.

I'm a fan of Ricardo Lopez because

1. He grew as a technician even after being champion until at around 28 he was the finest technical fighter since Eder Jofre;
2. He fought everyone there was to fight and often did so in the other guy's hometown;
3. He knocked men out with one punch straight right hands, one punch left hooks and one punch uppercuts with each hand;
4. When he was aged and his skills fading he struggled with a younger, stronger Bufalo Alvarez. In their second fight Alvarez blew weight by TWO divisions and Lopez agreed to fight anyway. Cut in four places and behind Lopez began coming to ring center with hands held high with ten seconds left in the rest period so he'd have every chance to get after Bufalo. As clear a display of boxing spirit as one will ever see.

I'm a fan of Roberto Duran because

1. He was simply the most ferocious man in the ring I've ever seen live;
2. He too was an extraordinary technician with exceptional feet, great balance, every punch in the book;
3. He succeeded using a number of different approaches in the ring. Stalking (Ken Buchanan, Ray Lampkin) Brawling (Leonard I, Hiroshi Kobayashi) and counterpunching (DeJesus III, The Blade);
4. He was as relaxed in the ring as anyone I've ever seen;
5. After No Mas he built an entire second career through sheer willpower.

Excellent choices...... and excellent reasons.

Im a fan of Thomas Hearns ,
because -
1. He fought some great fighters of his era, win or lose he brought thrills.
2. He was one of the finest pure boxers in history.
3. His power always brought drama to the table.
4. His sometimes fragile chin, kept his fans on the edge of their seats.
5. He was a good guy out of the ring, and a scowling Ko puncher in it.
6. I have never followed any other boxer as much , or been a bigger fan of any other.
7. His KO of Duran was fantastic , and his war with Hagler was unforgetable.
To sum up , Thomas Hearns , great man , great boxer, great puncher ,great fighter.

Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

Im a fan of Thomas Hearns ,
because -
1. He fought some great fighters of his era, win or lose he brought thrills.
2. He was one of the finest pure boxers in history.
3. His power always brought drama to the table.
4. His sometimes fragile chin, kept his fans on the edge of their seats.
5. He was a good guy out of the ring, and a scowling Ko puncher in it.
6. I have never followed any other boxer as much , or been a bigger fan of any other.
7. His KO of Duran was fantastic , and his war with Hagler was unforgetable.
To sum up , Thomas Hearns , great man , great boxer, great puncher ,great fighter.

Hear! Hear!

May I add one additional reason? After those heartbreaking losses to ATG fighters he never made an excuse, even when he broke his hand in three places after hitting Hagler the first time. He acted like a man, accepted what had happened and moved on.

I'm a fan of Miguel Cotto.
Is he a great fighter? No.
But in this day and age where alot of top guys face 1 or 2 ranked guys and then stick to facing easy mandatories, Cotto faces Torres, Malignaggi, Quintana, Judah, Clottey,Mosley, Margacheato, Pac, Foreman.

Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

Im a fan of Thomas Hearns ,
because -
1. He fought some great fighters of his era, win or lose he brought thrills.
2. He was one of the finest pure boxers in history.
3. His power always brought drama to the table.
4. His sometimes fragile chin, kept his fans on the edge of their seats.
5. He was a good guy out of the ring, and a scowling Ko puncher in it.
6. I have never followed any other boxer as much , or been a bigger fan of any other.
7. His KO of Duran was fantastic , and his war with Hagler was unforgetable.
To sum up , Thomas Hearns , great man , great boxer, great puncher ,great fighter.

ANOTHER excellent choice. I love Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns. Never gave us a boring fight.