H eused to put dow old timers. Yes, I did not mistype that. He's a phoney, a shill. He found out he could make stay around and make money by doing what he now does, talking old timers. He started out as writer for wrestling mags back in 1960's. He would write--in serious format --that "Killer Kowalski will beat Bruno Sammartino next month because..." He got lucky when Ali came aroud, and started sucking up to him, almost as much as another piece of **** (Howard Cosell) He has and always has had friends in business, and it kept him going all these years. To me he's a disgrace.
I have worked with Bert on many occasions and he has always treated me with the up most respect. Most of the boxing experts have that same respect for him as well.
Teeto, I agree he's biased, but compared to Nat Fleisher whom I grew up learning boxing from he's a totally fair chap.
I am just stating facts that I know. Every time he sees me he comes over and talks to me. I have MC'ed many affairs that he attended and he has been nothing but Great. He and Lou Duva tried to do a Abbott & Costello routine, it was so bad that you had to laugh. As far as Billy Petrolle goes, a lot of all-time boxing historians rate him as one of the best body punchers they ever saw. Again, I don't know any 2 boxing experts or historians that will agree with every thing, and I don't agree with some of his either BUT that doesn't mean that he isn't knowledgeable.
Rebel, geeese, calm down my man. The hat and Howard are some of the color that made some love to hate boxing, or just love it.
Exactly what I've always said about him. He knows a lot of basic history, but not a lot of details, and he repeats a lot of myths rather than do his own research. As just one example, whenever I see him write about Barney Ross, he's always quick to point out that he was never knocked down in his career. This is a popular myth. Ross was down a few times in his career. Sugar didn't invent the myth, but he repeats it without checking for himself to see if it's true. I know things like that might not seem like a big deal, but this is basically the whole point of his job. It's irresponsible of him to repeat things that simply aren't true.
My father happened to meet him in a bar once, and chatted with him for a while. He said he is indeed a cool guy. At the same time though, he came away convinced of what we had both always suspected of the guy anyway, which is that he is a phoney.
It is because of this, that I will always have nothing but the utmost respect for Bert Randolph Sugar. **** Don King.