Thanks: 
Likes: 
Dislikes: 
Re: List your top 10 most influential people in boxing history.
Good question, and good thread.
You said "good" OR "bad", so I'll go with that.
Muhammad Ali - His name's got to be first on the list. People who don't know shit about boxing still know and recognize Ali's name.
Don King - I'm not saying he's second on the list, 'cause from here on out, they're in no particular order. And he's not on the "good" side, either. But he has been extremely influential in boxing and the good he did for the sport's popularity cannot be denied, no matter how much of a scumbag he is.
Sugar Ray Leonard - He was the quintessential All-American, good-looking, smart young man who made good. Forget skin color. He made most boxing fans love him. Not to mention he's one of the ATG's, at a time when boxing was enjoying a time of riches in talent. He had not one, but several epic fights against other ATG's.
Joe Louis - One of the very best HW champs in history. But beyond that... he brought the nation together with his KO over Max Schmeling. Good over evil. America over Nazi Germany. A black man making his country proud. Too bad America was still embroiled in it's racist years... and the racist culture continued. So you could say that America was united in race during a few joyful days of celebration. The unfortunately it was business as usual.
Howard Cosell - Yes... he was abrasive and arrogant. But he was also intellectual and brought a cerebral aspect to boxing commentary which undoubtedly brought in a lot of fans. Love him or hate him, he was a polarizing figure.
Jim Lampley - Yes... the guy we all love to hate. Like it or not, Lampley has been the face of boxing on arguably the biggest TV network when it comes to boxing. His face and voice will be forever connected to boxing. Many young fans have been watching Lampley as long as they can remember.
Michael Buffer - Another surprising name to most of you. But think about it.... who doesn't know Buffer's signature line? Even outside of boxing. And looking at some old boxing clips, announcers were as exciting as watching grass grow. "In this corner... (yawn)... the challenger, weighing 160 pounds.... (yawn).... blah, blah, blah."
Rocky Marciano - Again, not the best. But who didn't know who Rocky Marciano was? How many parallels can be drawn between Rocky Marciano and Stallone's "Rocky"? He was the quintessential white, undersized, hardworking, Italian-American champion of the masses. Retired undefeated, which added to his myth. Mention the name of Rocky Marciano outside of boxing... and most people recognize the name.
I tried to stick with universal influence. Surely some fighters can be named, who have been influential in their own countries. Like Hatton in England... and Trinidad in Puerto Rico. But sticking to strictly global influence, I'd have to say those are the main names on my list.
 |
|
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus
Bookmarks