Alcoholic Boxers?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by DS Phil Hunter, Oct 18, 2022.


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  1. DS Phil Hunter

    DS Phil Hunter Active Member Full Member

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    There seems to be prevalence of alcoholics among boxers some more well documented and others more speculative.

    One of the earlier instances is bare knuckle boxing champion Tom Molineaux who lost his earnings and passed away from alcoholic related illnesses at age 34.

    John L Sullivan who's conditioner William Muldoon who prepared and trained him for his fight with Jake Kilrain had to isolate Sullivan away from bars and train in seclusion when Sullivan started training he was a physical wreck who was 240lbs and after the intensive training camp weighed in at 207lbs. Sullivan beat Kilrain but reverted back to drinking and became vastly overweight after retirement. Sullivan later became an evangelist and teetotaller and preached about the evils of alcohol.

    Boxing News also reported Gene Tunney was an alcoholic I don't know if these was during his boxing career or in retirement or both? does anyone know? It's also claimed Primo Carnera was an alcoholic and he died from an alcoholic related liver disease and psoriasis? can anyone repudiate or substantiate these claims about Tunney's and Carnera's alcoholism?

    It has been said anecdotally that Joe Frazier was an alcoholic and drank during his career, biographers Mark Kram and Mark Kram Jr wrote Frazier was a heavy drinker but I don't know if that was while he was boxing or not?

    Can anyone provide any additional details on Molineaux, Sullivan, Tunney, Carnera and Frazier?

    Other more recent well known alcoholics in boxing are John Conteh, Sugar Ray Leonard, Buster Douglas, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Can anyone add any more to this list?
     
    DS Phil Hunter, Oct 18, 2022
    DS Phil Hunter, Oct 18, 2022
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  2. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Kelly Pavlik is a notable boxer that struggled with alcoholism.
    Ricardo Mayorga was known to drink and smoke in between fights.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Oct 18, 2022
    Flo_Raiden, Oct 18, 2022
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  3. turpinr

    turpinr Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Benny Lynch, the greatest ever flyweight imo was an alcoholic and was only in his 30's when he died.
    He battled with his weight as well as his alcoholism whilst champion and could no longer make the 112lb weight limit
     
    turpinr, Oct 18, 2022
    turpinr, Oct 18, 2022
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  4. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Have read of sparring partners telling people about the smell of alcohol on the breath of Napoles......
     
    Mike Cannon, Oct 18, 2022
    Mike Cannon, Oct 18, 2022
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  5. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Towards the end of his career Sonny Liston drank very heavily
     
    Reinhardt, Oct 18, 2022
    Reinhardt, Oct 18, 2022
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  6. JunlongXiFan

    JunlongXiFan 45-6 in Kirks Chmpionshp Boxing Predictions 2022 Full Member

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    Of course I know him! He's me!

    Jokes aside though, Ken Shiro is probably not an alcoholic, but he was arrested and suspended for booze cruising awhile back.
     
    JunlongXiFan, Oct 18, 2022
    JunlongXiFan, Oct 18, 2022
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  7. Thread Stealer

    Thread Stealer Loyal Member Full Member

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    Carlos Ortiz

    Arturo Gatti
     
    Thread Stealer, Oct 18, 2022
    Thread Stealer, Oct 18, 2022
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  8. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Bernard ‘Superbad’ Mays and Gustavo Ballas
     
    scartissue, Oct 18, 2022
    scartissue, Oct 18, 2022
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  9. AwardedSteak863

    AwardedSteak863 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Leon Spinks was as bad as it gets with alcoholism. He had so much natural talent and ability that was squandered by his disease. It drives me crazy when people talk bad of him as fighter because of his record. When he was sober, he was an Olympic gold medalist and a truly undersized heavyweight champ that could out work anyone in the ring. He was an overachiever for where he came from which is a place where most are dead or in jail by their late teens.
     
    AwardedSteak863, Oct 18, 2022
    AwardedSteak863, Oct 18, 2022
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  10. Philly161

    Philly161 "Fundamentals are the crutch of the talentless" banned Full Member

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    Bernard Mays from kronk was allegedly one of the best to ever train there but drank himself out of the sport and to dying broke. Rich the fight historian has a good video about him on YouTube
     
    Philly161, Oct 18, 2022
    Philly161, Oct 18, 2022
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  11. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Lew Jenkins
     
    salsanchezfan, Oct 18, 2022
    salsanchezfan, Oct 18, 2022
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  12. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Paul Spadafora’s issues with alcohol are well documented.
     
    Saintpat, Oct 18, 2022
    Saintpat, Oct 18, 2022
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  13. Boxing GOAT

    Boxing GOAT Active Member Full Member

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    Ken Buchanan, Jimmy Young, Vince Foster, Gerry Cooney, Tyrell Biggs.

    Dickie Ecklund struggled with alcohol and drugs.
     
    Boxing GOAT, Oct 18, 2022
    Boxing GOAT, Oct 18, 2022
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  14. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    I believe Eddie Machen was involved with both Alcohol and Drugs. He also had Mental issues as well.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, Oct 18, 2022
    Richard M Murrieta, Oct 18, 2022
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  15. tee_birch

    tee_birch Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Scott Harrison adored a drink
     
    tee_birch, Oct 18, 2022
    tee_birch, Oct 18, 2022
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