I spoke to Cooper a couple of times at the fights when he was doing radio commentary for the BBC, a very modest, unassuming man.
I have many favourites, but my all-time number one would be Joseph Louis Barrow. I think it's quite obvious why I would be a fan of the fighter. I mean, there is a lot to like, isn't there? But I'm equally as big a fan of Joe the man. He was not without his faults, but I believe him to be a gentleman and a gentle man outside the ring. (I'm aware of the Lena Horne incident, but still.) Just a top-class guy inside and outside of the ring. And suprisingly witty! For me, the absolute epitome of a champion. Other include, in no particular order, Marciano Tyson Bert Cooper Mike Weaver Gerrie Coetzee James Tillis Holyfield Jersey Joe Walcott Ken Norton ...
Born in 53 with a boxing loving dad, of course my fav is Patterson. In his 50's reign, it wasn't his fault he didn't fight the better guys, not his decision to make. Despite all the 'china-chin' nonsense, he was NEVER sprawled out face up or face down with the ref counting 8-9-10, yer out! Always rising; many of his KD's were the result of his being off balance with many of his punches. For those who know Floyd well, aren't you disappointed that he didn't unleash those rapid-fire combos more often? Too passive but maybe that's why so many of us loved him. Dad (an Indy policeman in the 50's) actually met Floyd during his training period leading up to the London fight here in Indy in May 59. He told me what a soft-spoken gentleman he was. Wish more athletes today could be half as humble. He and my uncle went to see the closed circuit 1st Liston fight and, against Mom's wishes, woke me up to tell me that my hero had been stopped in the 1st round. I cried myself to sleep that night. Lastly, can you think of a HW champ that was actually better after losing his title? He went out like a Champion against Ali in Sept. 72. R.I.P. kind, gentle warrior! :happy
I saw this thread and I thought, surely the biggest heavyweight fanboy will post here. I was not disappointed.
No, no Your confused. I didn`t say he had the greatest heavyweight reign ever. He had a down period in his career there no question. You misunderstood what it is I mean when I say he was "a People`s Champ". Im talking about the class the man had. The way he treated people whether they were famous or just the everyday person on the street. The things he taught the kids from his neighborhood. Poor kids from North Philly. Kind of a rough area if you have never been there. I met Joe a few times nothing suspect or inaccurate. That`s the way he was.
It sure was. After seeing the film I read a couple of books about Braddock that were pretty good too.