Quote Originally Posted by a harmful of swallows
Who do you guys think are the true villains of boxing today? Does anybody stand out as someone you love to hate? Who's out there that you can't wait to see knocked out or humbled?

Another question. What makes a villain? the attitude? the ethnic rivalry? the fight style? too much exposure?

For me personally the only fighters I hate are Zab Judah, John Ruiz and to a lesser extent Arturo Gatti. Zab's attitude sucks plan and simple. When he fought Floyd all his fans in NY were chanting "whoop that trick." No class. Enjoy your unfullfilled promise all the way to its slow decline. He's the only reason I like Baldomir. He's good but he chooses to nullify it by taking rounds off. Warriors don't take rounds off. Keep flushing your great talent down the toilet.

John Ruiz is just a travesty to watch. Retire already, in the latest Ring Magazine an editor said that hugging was for the UFC. One punch hug, one punch hug, one punch hug should be a foul. Ricky Hatton has the same problem but I give him a pass because he's shows his guts. By that same token I respect Gatti's entertaining fight style, I just think he's overrated. Everybody keeps talking about how wild and violent his fights are. Considering the level of his opposition a decent fighter would have made those fights easy.

One of the greatest villains in the last decade was, of course, Naz. For all the reasons listed above, it was very difficult for a non brit to like the guy.
Good post.. look forward to hearing what everyone says !


Gatti is old, unfortunately most of the young fight fans only know of this old Gatti. .. Gatti was such a great 130 lb 135 lb fighter back in the mid 90‘s .. He had some losses sure , that’s because HBO had standards at that time.. Excellent match making , things were run different back then.. The match maker put fighters in tuff entertaining fights .. And when you signed and HBO contract they would present you with a list of opponents that you must be willing to face at any time.. And that list was concrete sledge !!!.. Another words.. No soft shit opponents to build a record. HBO was interested in making legendary fights.

Gatti had some great fights vs. Tracy Harris Patterson who was a great kid, terrific fighter. As was Ivan Robinson who was a fabulous boxer . Gatti was a thrill ride fighter ! win or lose don't matter. performance matters. not leaving anything in the tank.. thats what sells tickets..real fight fans know excitment when they see it.. and an undefeated record means shit , with only few exceptions it just means you aint been in tuff .