You are allowed a public debate with an figure from boxing history

Debate or interview? Which one?

Interview would be easy. Jack Johnson. I'd bet he was fascinating and hilarious.

 

Interview yes, debate no, I am not a politician and I approve my message. Lol.

 

“Debate” sounds like there are serious bones of contention.

Interview: Yes, Jack Johnson would be great. Also Sonny Liston. The only problem may be - will they or are they required to be 100% honest?

Anything less than cordial with those two would perhaps only serve to compromise the goal to extract truthful answers.

Compromise? Well, Liston might see fit to actually beat you to death on live tv - so there are safety concerns here also, do we get bouncers like they had on Jerry Springer?

 

Why debates? All they ever do are create poor feelings toward each other. No Thanks.

 

Muhammad Ali.

One of the quickest wits ever yet also equal parts insightful, playful and serious when he wanted to be. Always entertaining.

Just wind him up and let him go.

 

Sal Sanchez I've never see many interviews

 

He would say Wind Me Up, And I Would Talk You To Death. Lol.

 

Great Fighter.

 

If he's going to be 100% truthful, Liston hands down.

Chuck Wiggins sounds like he would of had some good stories (look him up, he sounds wild)

Dempsey sounds like he was really personable and would definitely have some good stories over his long life

Greb just to confirm he's real, then have him box some homeless guy in the alley where I'm doing the interview, then film it, post it to YouTube, and finally have Greb on film fighting.....

Special mentions: Ezzard Charles, Bernard Mays, Leroy Jones, Jersey Joe Walcott, Al Bummy Davis, Rocky Graziano

 

Pure gold even when he was being interviewed while hitting the heavy bag - his actions were in perfect rhythmic sync with the rapping of his words. The complete artist and entertainer.

We all know the famous clip when questioned re Sonny Liston - Ali: “He wasn’t too friendly…., didn’t even shake my hand…”, Interviewer: “ So what are you going to do about that?”

Ali: “Now he must fall!!”, said with perfect inflexion and a sly grin while he was still tattooing the bag, the vision and sound of which presented as the perfect back beat and demonstration of skill/speed in support of his supremely confident proclamations.

 

John L would be fun - no doubt you’d have to keep him well lubricated throughout the interview, a contractual obligation: Think Oliver Reed.

 

But, But. John L. was Ward Bond in Gentleman Jim (1942)

 

And, unless my memory as failed me, Alexis Smith played Jim Corbett.

The real Jim would’ve been flattered, Alexis had way better shoulders than he did and packed more punch.

And The Skipper’s dad played Corbett’s dad.

Unfortunately, I can’t quite recall what role Errol played - Joe Choynski perhaps?

 

Ha Ha, Errol Flynn played Gentleman Jim. But Alexis Smith WOW.