Who do you think is the classiest/respectful boxer?

[Dav]

Jim Braddock

Sorry to disappoint you but he's not like the movies. I remember reading about his fight with Tommy Loughran and this guy was saying every dirty curse word there was. Tommy Loughran was a nice guy, honorable and didn't never had anything bad to say. Max Baer was a lot better than the movie portrayed of him.

In regards to himility Rocky Marciano was never boisterous, was a very humble and a very respecting fighter; although he was pretty rough and viscious when it came to his punches.

Larry Holmes didn't have a lot of respect for his opponents, or fighters and trainers before him, but he was strictly business. He did however had a lot of pressure on him that affected him greatly.

Oscar Delahoya knows how play the camera but when behind the scenes he doesn't have the nicest things to say.

I agree that Kostya Tszyu had the mannerisms and respect as the champ that he was. Shane Mosely, and Arguello were good people as well.

Thinking about it besides the images that they portray even fighters that played it mean were good respecting guys. If you know the story between Roberto Duran and his nemisis Estaban DeJesus, Duran went to pay his respects to him while he was in the joint.

He (Holmes) didn't have a lot of respect for white fighters, either, and incessantly whined about not getting enough respect 'cause he was black. Never could stand him, and was ecstatic when Tyson KTFO'ed him.

President Reagan had a phone installed in Cooney's dressing room to congratulate him on his victory over Holmes
There wasnt one in Holmes dressing room
He respected Cooney plenty,and has actually become very good friends with him,and is the leading contributor to Cooneys FIST charity

I didn't say REAGAN was respectful (or not secretely bigoted, maybe), only that Holmes WASN'T. He may have befriended Cooney after their fight, but he still constantly bitched and moaned about how he got disrespected, or not praised enough because he was black. IMO, he was a total bigot himself. And his comment about Marciano was utterly disgraceful. My image of him will always be that of a bitter, surly man. Probably following in the steps of Ali didn't help matters, either.

I agree... although I think Holmes was one of the most underrated heavyweights (although I think most people are now realising how good he actually was), he does tend to bleat on and on about how little respect he got at the time. His remarks about Marciano were a disgrace... even more so when you consider that they were made in front of the Marciano family who had gone to the fight to congratulate Holmes on equalling Rocky's record. They were prepared to show Holmes that much respect and all they got by way of thanks was a kick in the teeth from a sore loser.