The Things That Stay With You

[marbleheadmaui]

One of the reasons boxing is far and away my favorite sport is the way it reveals character. Even as vicious a sport as football (the kind where one can use their entire body) doesn't quite do it. MMA and wrestling may do this as well, but wrestling isn't life threatening and MMA doesn't seem to be either.

There are moments, both in the ring and out, that let you get inside a fighters head and heart in a way that only seems to happen in boxing. Here are moments I will never forget (In no order)

-The way Nigel Benn's expression changed from rapturous joy to horror when someone told him Gerald McClellan had collapsed.

-The sacrifice Muhammad Ali made for a principle (one I disagreed with by the way).

-Johnny Tapia's exuberance in the ring. Johnny may be the one man where being in the ring long after his talents have left him may be the safer alternative to not boxing.

-Alexis Arguello, having unbeaten Royal Kobayashi hurt in Tokyo, choosing to finish his man entirely with bodyshots to avoid hurting such a courageous man. The Japanese crowd recognized what they saw and gave El Flaco a long ovation, as much to his humanity as his skill.

-Unbeaten legend Eder Jofre, also fighting in Tokyo, raises challenger Fighting Harada's hand after the bell and before the decision. After Harada has taken his title officially? Jofre lifts Harada onto his shoulder and carries the new champion around the ring to the cheers of Harada's countrymen.

-Akio Kameda drops Aaron Pryor in the first round. Pryor does a back somersault, comes to his feet and attacks Kameda, landing a punch, all before referee Eernest Magana can get to him and start a count.

-With the announcers calling for the fight to be stopped for several rounds, Schoolboy Bobby Chacon soldiers on, turns the tide in the eighth and hammers Cornelius Boza-Edwards late to retain his title. As courageous as one will ever see.

-Roberto Duran, upon being told Ray Lampkin had been taken to the hospital, says "If I'd been in shape he'd be going to the morgue."

-Muhammad Ali, exhausted in the fifteenth round, gets up from one of the greatest hooks ever landed.

-Matthew Saad Muhammad, in trouble and out on his feet, only to gather himself and come back again and again and again. Miracle Matthew indeed.

-Genaro Hernandez, hit after the bell and dropped by Azumah Nelson, can win the 130 crown simply by staying on his stool. Chicanito continues the fight and wins the way a champion wins.

-George Foreman, as Joe Cortez reaches ten, looks Heavenward and then turns to his corner and drops to his knees in prayer and thanksgiving.

-Arturo Gatti finding a way to survive round nine of his first fight with Mickey Ward.

-After winning a razor close decision, Erik Morales is asked if he'll give Marco Antonio Barerra a rematch. Terrible's response? "He hurt me several times and I can't make 122 anymore. But if he'll go to 126? he deserves a rematch."

-George Foreman, having lost the lineal championship to Shannon Briggs, is asked by the announcer to comment on the questionable decision. Foreman replies he is raising five boys and doesn't want them learning the wrong lessons. George Foreman is a man.

-Finito Lopez, old, fading and cut in four places and behind to a younger, stronger fighter in Bufalo Alvarez, comes out of his corner ten seconds early and goes to center ring, hands up, just so he can get at Rosendo as soon as possible.

-Ray Mancini, blood just pouring from over his eye scratching and clawing at Livingstone Bramble until the final bell. Bramble not giving an inch.

-Evander Holyfield, nuff said.

-Mike Tyson, 25 years after Cus D'amato's death, unable to talk about him at the HOF induction.

[armyash]

Good post.

A few there i have not seen definitely going to check those out

[Spicoli]

That Holyfield smirk slash sneer when he was introduced early on, loved that.

[awdleyfuturehalloffamer]

Isn't boxing a metaphor for life in general. Either fight, with risk to life, take your beatings and try to deliver a greater beating to obstacles that keep you from achieving happiness and freedom. If life tries to beat you down, beat the shit out life first.

[marbleheadmaui]

That Holyfield smirk slash sneer when he was introduced early on, loved that.

My Dad taught me the men to beware of were those who didnt talk much but who smiled just a little when violence neared. Evander's look said "This poor sob has NO idea what he's in for."

[Spicoli]

Marbs, pops was a smart man

[Mars_ax]

Good stuff Marble.

This image of Jack Johnson standing over a beaten Jim Jeffries has always stood out in my mind. Poor old Jeffries, he looks a lot different from the young looking guy in your avatar, eh Marb?

[marbleheadmaui]

Good stuff Marble.

This image of Jack Johnson standing over a beaten Jim Jeffries has always stood out in my mind. Poor old Jeffries, he looks a lot different from the young looking guy in your avatar, eh Marb?

Yup. And Lil Arthur looks like he could fight all day. Relaxed and composed.

[Mars_ax]

Good stuff Marble.

This image of Jack Johnson standing over a beaten Jim Jeffries has always stood out in my mind. Poor old Jeffries, he looks a lot different from the young looking guy in your avatar, eh Marb?

Yup. And Lil Arthur looks like he could fight all day. Relaxed and composed.

I wonder what Jeffries was sitting there on the canvas thinking about, perhaps:

"Why the fuck did I let these people talk me into making a comeback".

[marbleheadmaui]

Good stuff Marble.

This image of Jack Johnson standing over a beaten Jim Jeffries has always stood out in my mind. Poor old Jeffries, he looks a lot different from the young looking guy in your avatar, eh Marb?

Yup. And Lil Arthur looks like he could fight all day. Relaxed and composed.

I wonder what Jeffries was sitting there on the canvas thinking, perhaps:

"Why the fuck did I let these people talk me into making a comeback".

I think he probably thought that after round one. By this time? More like "I can't believe I let those #@&% talk me into this."

[chinchekked]

Just one off the top of my head........
Tarver's postfight celebration and in ring interview with Larry Merchant after beating RJJ. I have never been a fan of Tarver but I am a fan of people achieving goals and making dreams come true and his celebration was one of unmanufactured elation. I thought he came off with a bit of bravado towards the crowd but he was just genuinely the happiest man on Earth at that moment. Also how he went to RJJ mid celebration to let him know that he was not disrespecting him but that he was just so happy he couldn't contain himself.

[CutMeMick]

• As JMM hits the floor for the 3rd time in round 1 vs. Pacquiao 1 he reaches for the rope missed and puts both gloves to his face. I swear I can almost hear him say "Come on man, get your shit together. Get up and get back in this"
• As Alexis hits the canvas vs. Pryor during their 1st meeting. The look on Alexis face fucken kicks me in the balls as he lays on the ropes. Its like his mind is telling him "Get up. You can do it" but his body just doesn't respond.
• "Locomotora" is hurt cut over both eyes vs. "Action" Jackson 1 in a previous round he showed just how smart and sneaky he can be. With blood flowing down in his eye and blocking his vision he grabs a hold of the ref's. arm and uses his shirt to wipe off the blood.
• Alexis post fight interview after the Boom-Boom fight.
• Danny Williams arm pops out of it's socket and can quit at any time during the round. He continues fighting and he wins with 1 fucken arm!
• Jorge Paez is clearly down in the cards going into the 15th and final round vs. Groove in their 1st fight. In the last round Paez digs as deep down as I've ever seen someone dig and drops Groove 3 times to earn him a MD the Plaza Califia de Toros in his hometown of Mexicali erupts.

[Master]

Nice of you to acknowledge the sacrifice that Ali made especially when you admit you were against him. That takes a lot to admit you were wrong and you are right about that left hook, how the hell did he get up. Another great thread and learned some more about courageous fighters like Arguello.

Magic thread as it reminds me why i love boxing so much and greats read guys.

Arce v Vasquez – whirlwind of punches, tons of heart and courage from being knocked down but would not be denied to stop the younger undefeated fighter in the last round.

Herol Graham boxing with sublime skills and hands down moving away within inches from the bombs of the Mr T impersonator of Rod Douglas (think of a southpaw Nigel Benn) and slowly tiring him out to stop him.

Michael Watsons face after returning from the first round against Mike McCallum thinking what the hell have I got myself into. I cannot breath from those body shots.

Tyson destroying Berbick with speed, precision and power in 2 rounds to welcome a new era in boxing.

Seeing Hit Man Hearns eyes as he is walking into the ring, thinking he is going to blow away poor old Roldan.

The skills, balance and footwork of Terry Norris dissecting Mugabi to become champion.

The brutal and hurtful punches of JCC superstar as he stalks his many opponents who run for cover.

The sheer ferocity and anger of Nigel Benn’s punching aiming to blow away the opponent from the universe.

[marbleheadmaui]

• As JMM hits the floor for the 3rd time in round 1 vs. Pacquiao 1 he reaches for the rope missed and puts both gloves to his face. I swear I can almost hear him say "Come on man, get your shit together. Get up and get back in this"
• 
  As Alexis hits the canvas vs. Pryor during their 1st meeting. The look on Alexis face fucken kicks me in the balls as he lays on the ropes. Its like his mind is telling him "Get up. You can do it" but his body just doesn't respond.
• "Locomotora" is hurt cut over both eyes vs. "Action" Jackson 1 in a previous round he showed just how smart and sneaky he can be. With blood flowing down in his eye and blocking his vision he grabs a hold of the ref's. arm and uses his shirt to wipe off the blood.
• Alexis post fight interview after the Boom-Boom fight.
• Danny Williams arm pops out of it's socket and can quit at any time during the round. He continues fighting and he wins with 1 fucken arm!
• Jorge Paez is clearly down in the cards going into the 15th and final round vs. Groove in their 1st fight. In the last round Paez digs as deep down as I've ever seen someone dig and drops Groove 3 times to earn him a MD the Plaza Califia de Toros in his hometown of Mexicali erupts.

Overt he last decade NOBODY has been more fun to watch and think along with than Juan Manuel Marquez. He's so smart and yet he's not a great athlete it seems to me. THAT makes him just a little deliberate and lets a fan really follow his thinking, moment to moment, in a way that is harder with say a Mayweather. Hell, JMM may be the most fun at that in 20 years.

I miss Jorge Paez. A master showman without demeaning the other guy, genuinely tough, smart in the ring and as you noted, a gigantic heart. He didn't have a big toolbaox, but he did great given his resources. He had no business in a ring with Pernell Whitaker and he gave a fine showing that night too.

[marbleheadmaui]

[QUOTE=Master;987328]Nice of you to acknowledge the sacrifice that Ali made especially when you admit you were against him. That takes a lot to admit you were wrong and you are right about that left hook, how the hell did he get up. Another great thread and learned some more about courageous fighters like Arguello.

Magic thread as it reminds me why i love boxing so much and greats read guys.

Arce v Vasquez – whirlwind of punches, tons of heart and courage from being knocked down but would not be denied to stop the younger undefeated fighter in the last round.

Herol Graham boxing with sublime skills and hands down moving away within inches from the bombs of the Mr T impersonator of Rod Douglas (think of a southpaw Nigel Benn) and slowly tiring him out to stop him.

Michael Watsons face after returning from the first round against Mike McCallum thinking what the hell have I got myself into. I cannot breath from those body shots.

Tyson destroying Berbick with speed, precision and power in 2 rounds to welcome a new era in boxing.

Seeing Hit Man Hearns eyes as he is walking into the ring, thinking he is going to blow away poor old Roldan.

The skills, balance and footwork of Terry Norris dissecting Mugabi to become champion.
The brutal and hurtful punches of JCC superstar as he stalks his many opponents who run for cover.

The sheer ferocity and anger of Nigel Benn’s punching aiming to blow away the opponent from the universe.[/QUOTE]

All great ones, especially the bold. Man I'd have lost a lot of money on Arce ever being competitive at the championship level again.