I've never known Richie to say a bad word about anyone but he wasn't keen to renew acquaintances with Holmes when they were both in Washington D.C. last year for the Khan / Peterson fight. By all accounts he was messed around terribly when he boxed out there against Holmes. Woodhall put Malinga on the deck, I know the South African was as old as the hills but not many did that to him. Wonderful night but Richie would have rather won the WBA title...
Nipplehead, great thread. Thank you. We should do a thread on Jim Watt, I don't know enough about Watt, only saw his world title fight. Maybe tomorrow when I get up I'll start it, maybe it's been done before.
What happened at the Holmes fight, did they mess him about with hotels, pressers etc? And why would he have preferred the WBA?:good
WBA to match his tattoo (football team) - I gather it was long drives to gyms, hotel doors banged in the night etc. Richie was definitely better than that performance. Holmes was an interesting guy, a strict vegan. He also beat McCracken but Robert's best was behind him by then - he had to wait too long for his chance.
That's really interesting insight. I enjoyed Richie's tales on 'The Time of our lives' doc that was hosted by Gary Newborn. Who else has his father Len trained? He is still in the game, I think I saw him in someone's corner recently.
He might not be an ATG but when it's all said and done he did win a world title so you can't take anything away from him. Comes across as a decent bloke as well, talks sense.
Anyone can claim an alphabet title, well as long as they know the alphabet! Richie was more than that. A superb amateur, and a far from shoddy pro, his winning and then numerous defences of a Commonwealth and European crown, is in this era on par with a long running alphabet defending champ.