First time you saw him, you were hooked

Name the fighter you saw for the first time and immediately became a fan of. I\'m not talking about the fighter that grew on you. I\'m talking about the fighter that hooked you right away. For me it was Jorge Arce. I first saw Arce back in the late 90\'s when he was giving Michael Carbajal a boxing lesson. He was not in the least bit in awe of the former champion. I began rooting for him around the 4th round. I was heart broken when Cabajal knocked him out. What really made me a fan of Arce was what happened afterwards. He didn\'t not let the loss destroyed his career. He became champion and went unbeaten for another 10 years.

For me it was Mike McCallum. When I first saw him, I thought he would be an all time great. He never quite made it there, but he made a damn good impression.

It was amazing how he ripped punches to the body. He also took on everyone.

I would say Roy Jones. Am a fan forever.

Many fighters impress you but for me the first time i saw Thomas HITMAN Hearns i was totally hooked , and when ever he lost i was totally gutted :(
He was exciting , great boxer , also had a bit of vulnerability around the chin which kept you on the edge of your seat :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dark Lord Al

Many fighters impress you but for me the first time i saw Thomas HITMAN Hearns i was totally hooked , and when ever he lost i was totally gutted :(
He was exciting , great boxer , also had a bit of vulnerability around the chin which kept you on the edge of your seat :)

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Yeah Tommy's stance in the ring was amazing also. The way he held that right hand cocked, must have been terrifying for opponents.

3 fighters stand out:

Pernell Whitaker

Roy Jones Junior

Roberto Duran

I saw just one of their fights and became a fan!

Joel Casamayor- I first saw him as amateur. He was taking Wayne McCullough to school to win the gold medal in the Olympics. I was thrilled when he defected and turned pro. I've followed his whole career

Terry Norris- I remember seeing him fight live as a kid at the Great Western Forum. The speed and power he showed in destroying Clayton Hires was incredible.

Ricardo Lopez- The first time I saw Lopez was on a Don king card that featured Julio Cesar Chavez-Meldrick Taylor 2, Felix Trinidad-Yory Boy Campas and Gabriel Ruelas-Jesse James Leija. Lopez impressed the most. He destroyed his opponent in the first round. I had never seen such brilliance in such a small fighter before.

Wow,yeah,I'd like to add recently,the guys I saw that really impressed:

Jorge Linares(saw this kid fight in Japan at least 1.5 years ago,not many heard of him,looked sensational)
and
Miguel Cotto(have every single fight,and alot of amatuer ones too,loved his style and his evolution since)

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

Joel Casamayor- I first saw him as amateur. He was taking Wayne McCullough to school to win the gold medal in the Olympics. I was thrilled when he defected and turned pro. I've followed his whole career

Terry Norris- I remember seeing him fight live as a kid at the Great Western Forum. The speed and power he showed in destroying Clayton Hires was incredible.

Ricardo Lopez- The first time I saw Lopez was on a Don king card that featured Julio Cesar Chavez-Meldrick Taylor 2, Felix Trinidad-Yory Boy Campas and Gabriel Ruelas-Jesse James Leija. Lopez impressed the most. He destroyed his opponent in the first round. I had never seen such brilliance in such a small fighter before.

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Dam,you have a good memory,awesome list! CC. You ever seen Joel live?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by El Gamo

Wow,yeah,I'd like to add recently,the guys I saw that really impressed:

Jorge Linares(saw this kid fight in Japan at least 1.5 years ago,not many heard of him,looked sensational)
and
Miguel Cotto(have every single fight,and alot of amatuer ones too,loved his style and his evolution since)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Violent Demise

Joel Casamayor- I first saw him as amateur. He was taking Wayne McCullough to school to win the gold medal in the Olympics. I was thrilled when he defected and turned pro. I've followed his whole career

Terry Norris- I remember seeing him fight live as a kid at the Great Western Forum. The speed and power he showed in destroying Clayton Hires was incredible.

Ricardo Lopez- The first time I saw Lopez was on a Don king card that featured Julio Cesar Chavez-Meldrick Taylor 2, Felix Trinidad-Yory Boy Campas and Gabriel Ruelas-Jesse James Leija. Lopez impressed the most. He destroyed his opponent in the first round. I had never seen such brilliance in such a small fighter before.

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Dam,you have a good memory,awesome list! CC. You ever seen Joel live?

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No. I've never seen Casamayor fight live. I wish I could.

The first time I ever saw Ricky Hatton fight against Thaxton I was hooked, I couldnt believe a fighter could have such a high work rate every round and never take a step backwards and keep it up for 12 rounds. Even when he was cut badly he showed so much heart to keep going and get the win. I been a massive fan ever since.

Also the first time I ever saw Sugar Shane fight, it was his first fight with De Le Hoya and I couldnt believe his hand speed. Also the way he went toe to toe with Oscar in round 12 and landed some lovely right hands.

Also I have to metion the first time I saw Ali fight against Foreman in Rumble In The Jungle. I just couldnt believe a fighter could sit on the ropes and take so much punishment and still come out and fight as if Foreman was tickling him. I watched the fight again at the weekend for the millionth time and I still sit there in amazement.

same here. I simply love the way Mosley handled ODLH. Been a Mosley fan since then.

Naz.I remember watching one of his early fights when he was still with Barry Hearn and was fighting at flyweight.They used to show boxing late at night on ITV.


The only other boxer who has had the same impression in morden times is Michel Katsides(Aussie/greek bloke).Looking forward to his next war.

The first time i saw Nigel Benn got me well hooked.

Tyson against Berbick, what an animal ( after watching that fight i went to school the next day and had a fight in the playground with a lad that bullied my mate, kicked his ass too ;D )

Naseem Hamed, a breath of fresh air with his style.

And of course Ricky Hatton with his marauding non-stop action.

8)

I have 5...

1. Ricky Hatton - Hatton is probably my favourite current fighter. It's hard not to get up for a Hatton fight. He's just a great advert for the sport.

2. Miguel Cotto - I'm in awe of Cotto. Every time I see him fight it reaffirms my feeling that he'll be P4P #1 at some point. I actually think he could beat Floyd as well. In fact, I think Cotto is the best Welter out there. (I know so many will disagree with that statement, but it's an opinion, and it's mine...so it's right ;D.)

3. Juan Diaz - Before he beat Freitas I thought he was the best Lightweight in the world. I'm a massive fan of his style, he just keeps coming. Never seen a bad fight with this guy yet, he's always giving 110%. Lewis said on HBO the other night... "if boxing is his hobby, imagine if he took it seriously." Thats a scary thought...

4. Prince Naseem Hamed - Without doubt, I was never in more awe of anyone when I first saw them. Hamed was special. It's a shame he left his ego...and his family take over the asylum.

5. Kelly Pavlik - The Miranda fight opened my eyes, because I didn't think anyone could do that to Edison. Great fight, and the Taylor fight confirmed my suspicions that Kelly can rule the sport and provide us with truly thrilling fights for years to come.

Roy Jones Jr. The first time I saw him he was giving James Toney a beating. I hated him for it, but I had to admit, I wanted to see him again.

Also Joe Calzaghe for the same reason. What he did to Jeff Lacy was stunning.

Roy Jones Jr I remember his fight vs Virgil Hill and when he landed that body shot it was like amazing how quick and powerful it was i had never seen anything like it before it was amazing ever since then i have been a fan.

Larry Holmes Well i remember when i see Holmes in 1972 Olympic Trials which is on my career set and i remember thinking wow even though he lost he showed alot of talent but first fight that really stood out was his first fight with Earnie Shavers alot of people expected Shavers to kill Holmes but boy were they wrong Holmes just gave Shavers a boxing lesson Moving, Jabbing, Combos, it was just a masterclass ever since that fight i have been a fan.

Pernell Whitaker Whitaker's first pro fight got me hooked he looked so damn good and it looked like his body was made out of water i couldn't believe my eyes ever since then i have been a fan.

Evander Holyfield Well i wasn't really big boxing fan at the time and i had only watched few fights that i can't even really remember but when i see Holyfield go up against Tyson for first time i remember how everyone gave Holyfield no chance and even my family were saying Holyfield's going to get killed ect ect but when he won it was inspiring and the heart he showed i had never seen anything like that before ever since then i've been a fan.



I'll add some more later.

I saw this Mexican fighter in 1987 fighting in France,he was champion and fighting the number one contender. This boxer was punch perfect he threw hurtful hooks and vicious straight punches slowly but surely battering the contender to submission. Any punches his way were parried, blocked and missed. It was an artistic beating, breaking down the opponent both physically and mentally over 3 rounds.

It was the type of beating you would want to give to your worst enemy or someone who insulted your mother. Beat but also punish them. It was awesome to watch and I became a huge fan of his. His name was Julio Ceaser Chevaz.

Ali,almost nuff said on that one
Hopkins,the Echols fight,jesus that was heart and determination
Foreman Mach 2,at the time everyone was saying he was disgracing the sport coming back,I watched his fight with Guido Trane and said,oh no he's not,he's hurting people, bad
Holmes,that jab was a thing of beauty
Tyson,coming up,when he was prime he was frightening to watch
Angel Manfreddy,I dont know why,I just loved watching his fights,still like going back and watching them
Boom Boom Mancini,all heart

rOY jONES jr - Nuff said

James Toney - First time i ever saw him i had already discovered roy jones and i never got james toney at the time because all i knew he was a big name and he was the champ and jones beat him good..

But i think having looked him up later out of interest and seeing his fight with iran barkley i was dumbfounded by his amazing style.. i dont think i ever watched any other fighter as close as toney so's to watch every detail and watch every little well experianced movement he makes in the ring and yet so skillfull but he was never a boxer..More of a puncher and a real fighter

And of course having stumbled upon felix trinidad on boxrec looking at his record and thinking this dude was badass, recognising all the fights he had with top names and he became my fave of all time

Also Paul Malignaggi.. I had seen bits and bobs of him and the camarena fight.. But when he fought cotto i remember rooting for him..

He and his man petey along with the rest of his team came out to lose yourself and were giving the cut throat gestures towards the crowd with gloves on..He just had alot of character adn charisma from his entrance and put up a helluva fight that night too

Tommy Hearns from beginning to end!!!!...The first time I saw him I was like 13 or so and my jaw hit the floor!!!.

I could not figure out for the life of me how a guy soooo skinny could hit soooo hard so fast!!!....After that til this day and on The Hitman was my ATG.....

In the new era I have to say boxing's current Hitman had me from the first time....I saw him fighting Emmon and was impressed by his work rate and his demeanor in the post fight interview....Hatton makes it hard not to like him....

Evander Holyfield.
i was 8 or 9 when i seen him fight dokes. It was chills from then on.

When I first started watching boxing there was only two names that sparked my interest.

Mike Tyson and Felix Trinidad.

The great thing is that many times they were on the same card so I loved it.

I can't really remember against who was Mike fighting the fist time I saw him. Probably some poor shmo who wanted nothing but to get out of that ring ASAP. But the fights that pop into my mind are the Razor Roddick and the Spinks fights. I remember feeling sorry for some of these guys as they walked in the ring. Most of them knew the fight was over before the bell rang.

I think the first time I saw Tito was when he won the WW title against Blocker. I wasn't much into boxing at the time but my brother told me about this puertorrican kid who was fighting for the title. My brother followed him because he had actually taken some classes in collage with him. Blocker was a solid veteran boxer and Tito mopped the flor with him and took him out in two rounds. I was hooked.

Roy Jones Jr : Most American fight fans love RJJ due to the fact that he was the human boxing embodiment of SuperMan. Hands down one of the most exciting fighters of our time. He was something else.

Bernard Hopkins : When I first got hooked on boxing it was with my dad & some of his friends. Heavyweights were the rage & I saw Hopkins on the undercard of some heavy fight. It was so long ago that I can't remember the fighter or the card...but Hopkins stopped him inside of the distance & it was early...I do remember that because the heavy card went the distance. Hopkins was really surgical back in his day...almost scary how precise he was.

Floyd Mayweather : Hook line & sinker from day one on this one...without a doubt my favorite fighter of all time.

Joe Calzaghe : I pretty much dig everything about gentleman Joe. He's fast, accurate, & awkward as hell & he's a 10 year running champion. Critique him all you want but the fact remains that Joe is a winner & he's good for boxing.

Kelly Pavlik : I got sold on Pavlik about 2 or 3 years ago by listening to Larry Merchant rave about how great he was & that he wasn't gettin a fair shake in the ratings or networks. He was right. Pavlik got injured & slipped outta the lime light for a year or so & then came back strong...glad to see him on top now.

Miguel Cotto : This one owned me with his seventh round of Ceballos back in his day. Cotto continues to viciously hammer out wins over his competition. Win, lose, or draw I think that I'll be a Cotto fan for life.

I would say that it's the same with the rest on the list.

I forgot to add some of the new guys.

Baby Bull Diaz made me a fan when he beat up Freitas.

Mallignagi (though I can never spell his name right). I was never a big fan of slick boxers but this kid's got some guts and I respect that.

Israel Vazquez even in his loss to Marquez I was so impressed with this guy. How the hell did he keep fighting with that nose so busted up. I felt he was coming back strong but just could not continue fighting. I picked Vazquz to win the seccond fight and he proved me right.

PACMAN and Arce because they are both exciting inside and outside of the ring. Great for the sport these two.

Mike Tyson and Manny Pacquiao. I love how they destroy all oppositions. I hope Pac doesn't end up like Iron Mike.

Jimmy "Shea" Neary
Ricky Hatton
Miguel Cotto
Joan Guzman
MAB/Pacman/Morales
Arturo Gatti
Floyd Mayweather
Joe Calzaghe
Edison Miranda
Jamie Moore
Roberto Duran
Jeff Fenech
Tony Ayala

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Originally Posted by DaxxKahn

Tommy Hearns from beginning to end!!!!...The first time I saw him I was like 13 or so and my jaw hit the floor!!!.

I could not figure out for the life of me how a guy soooo skinny could hit soooo hard so fast!!!....After that til this day and on The Hitman was my ATG.....

In the new era I have to say boxing's current Hitman had me from the first time....I saw him fighting Emmon and was impressed by his work rate and his demeanor in the post fight interview....Hatton makes it hard not to like him....

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If you like the Hitman you should check out his son. Ronald Hearns looks a lot like his pop.

rather than list fighters write why they got you hooked thats far more interesting.

Bob Foster- my dad was a big fan of his and I was a little kid. But I remember watching him basically murder Vincente Rondon and Mike Quarry. I believe the 1st k.o.'s I ever saw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6bFxlE2D7M


Pavlik- I was hooked; a guy I saw that was and is unshakeable in his intent and desire to win. In a way reminds me of a young Foreman , not in his style but in his sole determination to hurt you and not change his gameplan. Dorian Beaupierre was the 1st fight I saw with Kelly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRThOKHnV14



Lennox Lewis- Before I saw him fight he just had a presence about him. Watching him beat Ruddock I was hooked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ACIE...elated&search=

There are alot of others, just not enough room ;D

Andre berto, allan green, PBF, and as crazy as it sounds cory spinks, and jason litzau None of these i would consider a favorite or anything like that but they are guys who when i saw them the first time i really loved to watch fight.

bernard hopkins - when i watched the trinidad fight i was so impressed with his boxing skill. he was doing it all. inside fighting , outside boxing, etc.

Kelly pavlik - watching him destory miranda had me in awe. miranda is a big puncher and he was taking mirandas best shots flush. i was really impressed.

Meldrick Taylor - his determination , heart, his boxing skill, the way he put combos together with great speed. great fighter

Lennox Lewis his style i liked so much

Daniel Ponce de Leon straight left

o'neil bell i think only cause he jamican

kostya tszyu it was really the name

chris eubanks his ko celebration was funny

there 2 more but i cant think of them

This just happened to me. I just saw Vernon Paris ko one of the Byrds. HE hits hard as hell and nonstop. HE is a up and commer right now. I have also gotten behind Andre Berto. He look great his last time out.

When I first got into boxing in the early 90s it was James Toney. He was in a fight where he got cut .After the round he got cut he came out and KOed the guy like nothing.HE said after the fight "I saw my blood I new I was going to kill him". LOL classic Toney. That really got me started following boxing.

BTW not much of a Toney fan these days. He made me mad when he woudnt get in shape to fight Sam Peter.

Most of my favorite fighters are that way. Some like Pavlik and Cotto I've had to come around too but James Toney, Bernard Hopkins, Whittaker, Ouma, Juan Diaz, Guzman, and others I've liked from the first time I saw them.

James Toney knocking out Nunn for example, first time I really noticed him and one of the first fights that got me into boxing.

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Originally Posted by Rotten Apple

Name the fighter you saw for the first time and immediately became a fan of. I\'m not talking about the fighter that grew on you. I\'m talking about the fighter that hooked you right away. For me it was Jorge Arce. I first saw Arce back in the late 90\'s when he was giving Michael Carbajal a boxing lesson. He was not in the least bit in awe of the former champion. I began rooting for him around the 4th round. I was heart broken when Cabajal knocked him out. What really made me a fan of Arce was what happened afterwards. He didn\'t not let the loss destroyed his career. He became champion and went unbeaten for another 10 years.

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Erik Morales vs Ayala

With those amazing skills he displayed on that fight... it has to be the ONLY time I've ever seen a live fight and been blown completely out of the water. :o :o I was an immediate fan.

Only to go online to do further research of "El Terrible"
and to find that he was IGNORED by MAXBOXING, RING MAGAZINE, AND SITE'S SUCH AS THIS...
I became a complete follower of Morales. heheh Seen him fight Pac live, knew he'd win the first one too. ;)

(Back then he wasn't ignored, he was just thought as another rival of Barrera, when I KNEW he was much more than that.)

He more than deserved to break Mexican Legend Ceasar Chavez' fourth division title record.
Morales is the complete package.
Like a Hopkins, you could match him up past greats and hall of famers and he could hold his own.
I don't think there is a fighter around him, in his time who could decisively beat thim.

Even Pac had to wait until Morales started to skip a beat or two,
and could no longer fit healthy in his division. By that time, Pac was IN his Prime, Morales was exiting it AND had to deal with what older fighter's call "weight problems."
(By the way... Morales is the ONLY fighter to truely defeat Pac, while the PacMonster was on his Terror Run.)

Watching, to my surprise and complete joy, Morales take apart a BIGGER Diaz and unfairly lose a decision yet finish using all he had to the last bell, with a young champion in Diaz, was the sinker.......... this man is simply phenomenal.

Pacquiao couldn't beat this guy in his prime. Barrera will always give him trouble, yet Morales will always give Barrera trouble as well. (Very similiar to Norton & Ali by the way.) Morales is the best of this generation. :) No man with gloves on right now has ever matched Muhammad Ali in two classic trilogies with Hall of Fame fighters, except "El Terrible." No man. Not even Hopkins. ;) *(Which is kind of unfair to say, because Hopkins never had big scary legends surrounding him... like a PacMonster or a Baby Face Assassin.)

And by all this talk, you'd think I'm Mexican, but I'm not. :D p.s. Muhammad Ali was The Greatest! :)

i turned a boxing aficionado in 1990 after watching Julio Cesar Chavez over Taylor.

David Haye, Lennox Lewis, Lloyd Honeyghan, Nigel Benn, Barry McGuigan and Thomas Hearns spring to mind.

Two prospects that are going places and I thought that as soon as I saw them are:-

Andy Lee

[youtube=425,350]E2bPJQcDyu0[/youtube]

and

Paul Appleby

[youtube=425,350]MrgZdmabOzE[/youtube]

Gerald McClellan... raw violence was displayed when he got in the ring, and it was a beautiful thing to watch.

Nigel Benn. Not the greatest boxer, but a brilliant fighter. Remember seeing early bouts on late night tv, and hoped he would live up to the hype. Think he did; entertainig as knockouts/stoppages/wars were often on the cards.

Cool Click Rotten Apple For good topic.Gives all a chance to reminisce.I have 3 Main fighters that are at the root of me being a Fan-addict & The 1st Time I saw them I made it apoint never to miss them and get every tape I could find of them.
1.Nigel Benn.I 1st saw Him vs.Iran Barkley and I was Instant fan.That was really a 1 rnd.war,1st 15 seconds Benn landed 2 huge Rights &left off ropes.Barkley down,Stunned Benn w/Left 40 secs later big and they went toe to toe.Barkley down 2 more times and YES,Benn smacked him on the deck on last one but ballsy Barkley got up,Ref.Padilla Blew alot of calls There and waived it off w/3 Knockdowns.
Interview live and Benn says in interview.."Hey us Brits ain't a bunch of pussy!!'s We come to fight!"I was Hooked till the end.Classic.
2.Michael Carbajal.Came as staple With TopRank On ESPN and really impressed me.Broke through With Ko OF Muanchai Kittakasem and I was a Life time fan.True Warrior,He bounced Kittakasem around like beachball.Became 1st 88'medalist to win title.
3.Bernard Hopkins... In His Pre Technical days as a Destroyer vs.Dennis Milton.Pulverized "Magic man"In 1st w/ 2 Knockdowns and proceeded to beat Milton up like he Owed him money AND Insulted his Mom.Instant Fan and hooked to this day.