A guy named Greg Kelly over at SI.com has assembled what he calls the "Ultimate Sports Playlist."
Sports Illustrated's Ultimate Playlist - More Sports - SI.com
There are a surprising number (to me at least) of boxing songs. In reverse order
#30 The Warrior's Code by the Dropkick Murphy's-Boston's favorite punk and sports band made this one about Mickey Ward.
You're the fighter you've got the fire
The spirit of a warrior, the champion's heart
You fight for your life because the fighter never quits
You make the most of the hand you're dealt
Because the quitter never wins
No!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPC0kTWaE7I
#22 The Hitter by Bruce Springsteen-Fictional story about a fighter who takes a big money dive, but finds he still can't escape the need for battle.
Baton Rouge, Ponchatoula, and La Fayette town
Well they paid me the moon, Ma, to knock the men down
I did what I did, when it come easily
Restraint and mercy were always strangers to me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOftPqlUjI8
#16 Boxing by Ben Folds Five-A sad requiem for an old Ali
Howard, I confess I'm scared and lonely and tired
They seem to think I'm made of clay
Another day, not cut out for this
I just want to say, I say
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOKhqYMjXj8
#14 Song for Sonny Liston by Mark Knopfler-A song about perhaps the saddest of fighters? Gotta be the blues! A GREAT song, the best on the entire list in my view.
He had a left
Like henry's hammer
A right like betty bamalam
Rode with the muggers
In the dark and dread
And all them sluggers
Went down like lead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to6wwNAqznc
#13 Duk Koo Kim by Mark Kozelek-An oh so sad song about an oh so sad night.
watching an old fight film last night
Ray Mancini vs. Duk Koo Kim
the boy from Seoul was hanging in good
but the pounding took to him
and there in the square he lay alone
without face without crown
and the angel who looked upon
never came down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBBqLPUxddc
#12 Boom Boom Mancini by Warren Zevon-Zevon's zealous defense of Ray Mancini. Pretty well known. Hurry home early, hurry on home!
When Alexis Arguello gave Boom Boom a beating
Seven weeks later he was back in the ring
Some have the speed and the right combinations
If you can't take the punches it don't mean a thing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCpdkbo-_co
#10 Muhammad Ali by Faithless-Never heard this song before. A nice tribute.
None of the hecklin about my black skin got through.
I woulda walked barefoot through hell for you
It's how I felt back then an I still do so will you
Accept these humble words of praise.
And my gratitude for those glorious days
And meritorious ways instilled in a young mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BheK0QoUPis
#5 The Boxer by Simon and Garfunkel-Simply a classic. This always felt like it was about Jack Demspey's first unsuccessful foray to New York.
When I left my home
And my family,
I was no more than a boy
In the company of strangers
In the quiet of the railway station,
Running scared,
Laying low,
Seeking out the poorer quarters
Where the ragged people go,
Looking for the places
Only they would know.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdKjEHfHINQ
#1 Who Killed Davey Moore by Bob Dylan-In 1963 the great Sugar Ramos knocked out undisputed featherweight king Davey Moore. The Springfield Rifle collapsed in his dressing room and died. Dylan penned this horrifyingly accurate critique of our sport.
Who killed Davey Moore
Why an’ what’s the reason for?
“Not us,” says the angry crowd
Whose screams filled the arena loud
“It’s too bad he died that night
But we just like to see a fight
We didn’t mean for him t’ meet his death
We just meant to see some sweat
There ain’t nothing wrong in that
It wasn’t us that made him fall
No, you can’t blame us at all”
I couldn't find Dylan singing but here's a decent, Dylanesque cover.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzmcBiVV3I4
