Most intimidating stare down?

Good stuff as always Tock and you’re welcome.

And, great point about the impact of dropping all veneers and looking deadly serious - a truly effective and intimidating contrast.

In literature, Johnson was described as smiling and joking for the better part of many of his fights - but when time came to end matters, when Johnson decided enough was enough - the literature described all cheery veneer leaving his face - replaced by an ominous, deadly and dark look.

As an opponent of Johnson’s, that would be scary and a clear sign that the end wss nigh.

 

In the MMA world, Fedor too.

 

I define fear as standing across the ring from Joe Louis and knowing he wants to go home early. - Max Baer

 

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That exact moment at 0:54 is also what's displayed in the video thumbnail.

 

I'm with McGrain and Ioakim. Stoic and emotionless is what I'd aim for, if I was still boxing, not angry or scary (though I'm not a scary looking guy, so wouldnt have much choice).

I appreciate its not boxing, but Fedor is a great shout. Again, not boxing, but I love this video of one of his brothers fights. Big muscular guy going way OTT trying to intimidate the ultra relaxed, stoic, Emeliaenko:

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A stare down is not necessarily the most intimidating thing that you can do to another fighter.

Jack Johnson totally threw that play book out of the window.

He used a smile tinged with insincerity and sarcasm, and tries to look as if he basically felt sorry for his opponent.

He got their attention from ringside sometimes, without even saying a word.

His message was "you are a total joke, but I am too polite to say it."

 

I love the commentator.

“It’s an in-your-face face off.”

Al Bernstein, I think.

 

Howard Cossell said by Ken’s admission, he claimed they made him unnecessarily tense and just preferred to gather his thoughts.

 

Holyfield out-manned him, Tyson was scared of him, bit him to avoid another beating

 

Real fighters don't worry about the "Stare Down". It didn't do Tyson or Liston any good when they fought guys who weren't afraid of them...

 

Already thinking about biting his ear, right there at the weigh-in, like him and Giachetti trained him to do.

Damn, Holyfield is his master.

 

I’d never heard that one before. That’s a brilliant quote.

 

Ken has made mention of this, he was collecting his thoughts. I think it was inspired by something he read in a Napoleon Hill book, though I’m not sure about that last part.

 

Maxie was witty wasn’t he? “Boxing is a religious experience it’s better to give then to receive”