Boxers You've met.

I used to box out of Al Davies' Boy's Club in Tacoma (just sparred actually), where Johnny Bumphus and I think Lockridge got their start. While there though, I met and was on friendly terms with Sugar Ray Seales and Leo Randolph and also Tim Broady, a power-punching light heavy back in the 80's.

Broady was very nice, laid back and easy-going. Seales was also a real nice man, I felt bad for him as the main gym rats and their trainers seemed to be a little embarrassed at his hanging around the gym all the time trying to talk to the fighters, hanging like a ghost on the fringes trying desperately to still be a part of what he once had been. Being a newcomer to the game then and not one of the "in crowd" that had rejected him at the gym, he hung around a couple of us newer kids there and encouraged us. He had bad cataracts then in both eyes and was a little down on his luck, but he was cool. It was always a pleasure to see him.

Leo was my favorite though. He was attempting what eventually became an aborted attempt at a comeback (this was all 1986), but he was all smiles all the time and very helpful to us noobs. Always made a point of coming over and seeing how we were doing, just had a light about him. Really nice man.

 

It is not unusual to run into alot of famous fighters in boxing circles, pro fights, amateur tournaments etc.....the biggest idiot that rubbed myself and others raw is Adrien Broner he tried to attack the military officer in charge of the World Class Athlete Program here at Ft Carson just an arrogant little thug a punk

 

That's weird, he always seems so humble when he's interviewed.

 

Well I have rarely seen him and thought him as humble he has been humbled in a few fights but IMO those little outbursts of his where he restrains himself from going complete a-hole are not the real Broner I am sure he has had some mentoring on how to act on T.V. but it has been a few years perhaps age and being somewhat exposed as a PBF knockoff without the same intellect have changed his attitude a little.

 

If you ever pick up on how his father acts (hes part of his entourage) then it's not so hard to see what kind of role model he had growing up. Not that that is an excuse at this age

 

met tommy morrison in 2006 along with mia st. john at ceaser's forum while they were signing autographs!

spoke with kevin mcbride in sacramento in 95 after he knocked his opponent out in the first round on the lennox lewis under card. bro in law and i were 7th row from the ring on the aisle exiting and entering the ring. halfway through the second fight, i look up and notice this large white man standing next to me.

a local fighter named paul nave who fought greg haugen three times went to school with an older brother of mine.

 

Prince Naseem, Leon Spinks, Darren Barker, Kevin Mitchell, Ray Beltran, Roger Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather Sr, J'leon Love, Ishe Smith, Ashley Theopane, Jason Matthews and a few others.

Met Prince Naseem coming off a train at Euston Station, thought he might be a normal bloke in real life - asked for a picture and he responded with "of course bro!" and let off a loud BRAP noise in the middle of the station.

Have actually trained at Darren Barker's gym in Aldgate where he has several world contenders/ex champs as coaches - all top lads.

 

I covered boxing in Vegas for a couple of years, so I got to meet quite a few guys.

Mike Tyson - Met him at a conference to announce his involvement with the Chinese Amateur Boxing Program, which never amounted to anything. In a moment when he was getting a little stressed with the situation, he came and sat next to me to chill for a minute. Tyson was the only one I ever asked for an autograph from while I was working. I got him to sign two press pictures I had on my wall since I was like 12 years old. One was just a picture of him, and another was a picture of Tom Mcneeley I had autographed. When I first asked him he said no and asked if I was a dealer. I was like no, and walked away, what was I going to do, argue with him, lol? Then he called me back and signed them. I still have them, with no plans to sell them.

Felix Trinidad - It was after a fight that he had been watching - I can't remember the fight - and I was standing along a hallway wall. He walked down the hall with like 15 people surrounding him. For whatever reason he broke away from the pack and asked me if I wanted an autograph. He signed my presspass and talked for a minute and shook my hand. Huge hands if I recall correctly.

Antonio Tarver - Minutes after meeting Tito, I walked a few more paces down the hall, and outside of a bar, was Tarver, drinking with another guy. Feeling confident after meeting Tito, I walked over and said nice to meet you, blah blah. He too signed the same press pass, and asked if I wanted to stay for some drinks. My dumbass said no, becuase my wife was on her way to pick me up and I didn't want to keep her waiting. Still think about that, lol.

There are others but those are probably the best stories.