Thanks. I used to see some really uncomfortable looking running styles and thought they were heading for injuries later in life. I can't blame sport for my woes as I have arthritis in one wrist and some fingers too. Instead I blame 45 years of manual work.
Charles Brewer was the epitome of a blue-collar professional. Based on his performances, he never failed to properly prepare himself for a fight.
It was. Aside from his exciting, come from behind one hitter quitter versus Brian "The Bull" Barbosa—check that fight out if you haven't already watched it—Echols is one of the unluckiest fighters I can remember.
I saw the fight against Barbosa the night it happened. It's been a long time, but I believe Echols knocked him through the ropes. That's the fight that put Echols on the map for many. I believe that was on Tuesday Night Fights.. Echols stayed in the sport far longer than I thought he did, winning only one of his last 20 fights. Ended 32-22-4 Don't know if anybody would care, but Barbosa was featured on Dr. Phil. It's on YouTube. Had to do with him being violent outside the ring, so he apparently has an uphill battle making the Nicest Boxer list...
Graziano seemed like such a nice guy. Big difference from his younger days but I read he still didn't take any BS
I didn't realize Echols fought on as long as he did. He became a literal "record padder." That Barbosa episode was tough to watch. In his prime, he seemed like a hothead. The abandonment issues, coupled with falling short of his championship dreams and battles with addiction are a recipe for disaster. Although his lady cares deeply about him, I do not expect things to end well for them.
Toney thought he was robbed twice against Sam Peter,even though he lost 10 rounds in the rematch.He also claimed to be the winner of his fight with roy jones in the post fight interview.Mikkel Kessler was a far nicer guy than James Toney.
Rocky was quite a character when my father and I met him in 1978. There was a line of people waiting to get his autograph. The line consisted of young kids, mostly pre-teens and at the end was my father, who was Rocky's age. When it came my father's turn, Dad said, "Rocky, can I have your autograph?" Graziano looked up and said in a very loud voice, "NO!" Then they both burst out laughing as he signed an autograph for my father. Then I asked if I could take a picture of them together and he got up, ran to my father and gave him the biggest bear hug! That picture, along with the entire incident, made our day!!
Yeah Quincy beat Julian Jackson for the WBC middleweight title he was over the moon. Then they really screwed him by saying he must defend against Keith Holmes. He just happened to be managed by Don King's son Karl. Holmes caught him with a shot Quincy went down got back up &was ok weathering Holmes attack when the ref,Richard Steele who was called Don King's ref, stopped the fight robbing Quincy of his title. King promised him a rematch but he never got it. He was a great guy
When it had directly to do with boxing (promotion, ring, gym) James was not nice. But outside, James was a gentle person.